ASU Football: Todd Graham is Entering a Must-Win Season

ASU football head coach Todd Graham is entering a must-win season after the school announced Graham did not get a one-year contract extension.

Last season ended in disappointment losing six games in a row to miss a bowl appearance for the first time under head coach Todd Graham.

Arizona Republic and azcentral reporter Jeff Metcalfe reported Tuesday that Graham did not receive a one-year contract extension for the first time since he took over.

Now one might say he’s still under contract through the 2020 season, but this is a big development and could lead to the conclusion that Graham’s seat is getting warm in Tempe.

This is an excerpt from Metcalfe’s report.

"ASU Vice President for Athletics Ray Anderson said a contract extension for Graham is not mandatory although his contract reads: “If grounds do not exist for termination for cause, ASU will ask the board to extend coach’s contract for one additional year following completion of the 2016 football season.”"

That excerpt definitely raised eyebrows about Graham’s job security.

Anderson has fully supported Graham even after last season’s humiliating loss at Arizona which cost the Sun Devils a chance at a bowl appearance.

The last two seasons have been rough after the first two were considered successful .

Entering the 2015 season, a lot of people were high on Arizona State (who could forget Kirk Herbstreit’s prediction of ASU in the College Football Playoff?) but all of the good vibes ended with a season-opening loss versus Texas A&M and just felt the team could not recover from that loss.

Arizona State were not the same after that defeat and the expectations might have weighed heavily on the team finishing the season 6-7 including a bowl loss versus West Virginia.

With expectations greatly reduced, Arizona State started off the 2016 season quick with a 5-1 start before injuries ravaged the team, especially at quarterback, and team slumped to lose six in a row and finish 5-7.

While Graham has recruited well, he is facing a must-win season.

The fanbase is becoming impatient on Graham and the program has underwent a personnel turnover with the departures of four experienced players in defensive backs Kareem Orr and Armand Perry and wide receivers Ellis Jefferson and Cameron Smith plus changes on the coaching staff with a new offensive and defensive coordinator.

Next: ASU Football: Dealing with a Change in Reputation

Despite all the changes, Arizona State will have to show improvement next season unless changes could be made starting with head coach Todd Graham.