In a surprising turn of events, Arizona State University’s head football coach, Kenny Dillingham, has announced open kicking tryouts for students in response to the team’s ongoing struggles with field goals. The Sun Devils have gone three consecutive games without making a field goal, prompting Dillingham to take drastic measures to address the issue.
Frustration reached a boiling point following ASU’s 24-14 loss to Cincinnati, with Dillingham openly expressing his dissatisfaction with the kicking game. “Our kicking game’s atrocious,” he stated bluntly in the post-game press conference. “So, if you can kick and you’re at Arizona State, email me. We’re going to have kicking tryouts on Monday, so bring it on.”
Dillingham Doubles Down on Tryout Promise
When pressed on whether he was serious about the impromptu tryouts, Dillingham didn’t hesitate to reaffirm his commitment to finding new talent. “I’m dead serious. We’re going to put it out on our social. We’re going to have a kicking tryout on Monday,” he emphasized, making it clear that this was no idle threat.
The coach’s frustration is understandable, given the team’s recent struggles in the kicking department. Current kicker Ian Hershey, who began his collegiate career at Idaho State, badly missed attempts from 48 and 41 yards on the Sun Devils’ final two drives against Cincinnati. Hershey’s season stats paint a concerning picture, with only 7 successful field goals out of 12 attempts.
Redshirt Freshman Struggles Add to Woes
Redshirt freshman kicker Carston Kieffer has also failed to inspire confidence, missing his only field goal attempt this season in the opener against Wyoming. The lack of reliable options has forced Dillingham to consider alternative solutions, including scouring the student body for hidden gems.
“[Hersey] was kicking good pregame. So, I felt good about it, but it is what it is. We got to do a better job getting him in the better mental state to kick. But at the same token, I got to do a job and I got to get guys on the field that can perform in those situations as well.”
– Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State Head Coach
While Dillingham acknowledges that an open tryout may not necessarily lead to a change in personnel, he remains committed to exploring all options to address the team’s kicking woes. “If somebody is [good enough], then you’re welcome to the team and we’ll rock and roll from there,” he stated, leaving the door open for potential walk-ons to make an impact.
Precedent for Unconventional Recruitment Methods
Arizona State’s decision to hold open tryouts for kickers is not entirely unprecedented in the world of college football. In 2022, Ole Miss added punter Charlie Pollock to their roster after discovering him at a fraternity party. Coach Lane Kiffin joked about the unconventional recruitment, saying, “I don’t know a whole lot about him. I think he was down at the frat house at a keg party or something where they got him from.”
Similarly, in 2008, the late Mike Leach recruited student Matt Williams to the Texas Tech team after watching him kick a 30-yard field goal during an in-game contest. Williams remained with the Red Raiders through the 2010 season, proving that sometimes, hidden talent can be found in the most unexpected places.
A Call to Arms (or Legs) for ASU Students
As word spreads about the upcoming tryouts, Arizona State students with a knack for kicking are gearing up to showcase their skills and potentially earn a spot on the team. The opportunity to become a Sun Devil and represent the university on the gridiron is a dream come true for many aspiring athletes.
The tryouts, set to take place on Monday, are expected to draw a diverse crowd of hopefuls, ranging from former high school kickers to intramural soccer standouts. With the pressure mounting on Coach Dillingham to find a solution to the team’s kicking struggles, the stakes could not be higher for these amateur athletes.
As the Sun Devils prepare for their next game, all eyes will be on the kicking unit to see if Dillingham’s unconventional approach yields any promising results. Whether a hidden gem emerges from the tryouts or the team continues to struggle, one thing is certain: Arizona State’s kicking woes have become a hot topic in the world of college football, and fans across the nation will be watching closely to see how this unusual story unfolds.
