(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN) Phil Bennett has been around a long time. That’s not a knock on the veteran assistant coach’s age — he’s a spry 61 — but rather a testament to Bennett’s experience in the game of football. With that experience comes depth of knowledge, and with that knowledge comes a
Tag: Phil Bennett
ASU Football: Defense faces make-or-break matchup with Oregon
(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN) Since the first day of fall camp, ASU defensive coordinator Phil Bennett has been brutally honest about the youth and inexperience in his secondary. He admits that their development is a “journey” — one that has proved arduous for this wide-eyed group through its first three games. He’s also
ASU Football: Previewing a Pivotal Matchup with Texas Tech
ASU Football: How Ball’s retirement impacts Sun Devil defense
(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN) The Arizona State defense was dealt another blow on Wednesday afternoon, as defensive back Marcus Ball announced his retirement from football due to medical conditions. Ball is now the third returning starter from last year’s secondary to walk away from the team; safety Armand Perry also gave up football during
ASU Football: Breaking down probable depth chart through coaches’ words
(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN) With the start of the 2017 Arizona State football season exactly one week away, the Sun Devils’ opening night depth chart has appeared to take shape. With the two-deep roster looking set for next Thursday’s opener against New Mexico State, we break down who will be playing, and
ASU Football: Defensive Coordinator Bennett Not Changing Style for Move to Pac-12
(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN) Phil Bennett has been a lot places during his nearly 40 years of coaching college football. But this season -- his first as Arizona State's defensive coordinator -- will represent a new chapter in Bennett's legacy: it is the first time he has ever coached in the Pac-12 conference. With vast experience
ASU Football: True Freshman Forman Becoming a Force On Defensive Line
(Photo: Blaine McCormick/WCSN) In a front seven filled with returning veteran starters, first-year defensive tackle Shannon Forman is forcing his way to the top of Arizona State’s depth chart this preseason. Less than three months after graduating from Southern Lab High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the 6-foot-1 lineman has been a revelation
ASU Football: “Desert Dogs” aim to dominate in 2017
(Photo: Ryan Clarke/WCSN) Nestled in a forest just to the east of Payson, Camp Tontozona serves as a serene escape for ASU football at the end of every summer. Relaxing hikes and quiet nights spent without technology highlight a week of bonding. But when the Saturday scrimmage rolls around, all that silence
ASU Football: Recap of National Signing Day 2017, highlights of the class for Arizona State
(Photo: Brett Deckert/WCSN) The journey to the 2017 season for Arizona State football made a major detour Wednesday with the arrival of 18 new players on National Signing Day. Head coach Todd Graham and his staff added to already-crowded position groups, and gained key commitments for areas of need. Comprised of 16
ASU Football: Phil Bennett named ASU defensive coordinator
(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN) Arizona State announced on Wednesday that it has decided to hire Phil Bennett as its new defensive coordinator. Bennett previously held the same position at Baylor since 2011. In addition, Bennett has served as the defensive coordinator at Pittsburgh, Kansas State, and TCU among others, and was the head