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Arizona State Football: 5 reasons Todd Graham is on the hot seat

By Erich Hilkert

Jan 2, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Todd Graham coaches against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second half of the 2016 Cactus Bowl at Chase Field. The Mountaineers won 43-42. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Todd Graham coaches against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second half of the 2016 Cactus Bowl at Chase Field. The Mountaineers won 43-42. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receivers coach Billy Napier with wide receiver Daylon Charlot (4) against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receivers coach Billy Napier with wide receiver Daylon Charlot (4) against the Clemson Tigers in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Expensive assistant coaches

Graham experienced upheaval on his staff following the 2015 season with five members of his coaching staff leaving the program. The biggest loss was Mike Norvell, who left to become head coach at Memphis. Graham made a seamless transition with the hire of offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, but Lindsey left for Auburn this offseason.

So, Graham brought in a shiny, new and expensive offensive coordinator in former Alabama wide receivers coach Billy Napier. Napier was strongly considered for offensive coordinator at Alabama and previously served as offensive coordinator at Clemson.

Is it fair to expect results in Napier’s first season at the program? Not really, but those are the high-stakes expectations in today’s college football. In addition to Napier, Graham has added former Baylor defensive coordinator Phil Bennett.

The offense appears to be the team’s greatest strength, although the defense must make strides for the team to improve in 2017.

Graham also brought in former head coach Dave Christensen as a high-priced consultant. Bringing in big-name assistants is standard practice, but it also necessarily increases the pressure a head coach must endure.

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