Arizona State athletic director hire reaction: Mixed opinions on Graham Rossini as ASU AD
Arizona State University is reportedly close to hiring Graham Rossini as its next athletic director, which would end a very lengthy wait to fill the position after Ray Anderson's resignation in November 2023.
Social media had very different thoughts on hiring Rossini, who previously was ASU's Executive Sr. Associate AD and Chief Business Officer. Prior to that, he spent 13 years with the Arizona Diamondbacks as Vice President of Special Projects & Fan Experience.
Some really did not like the hire, wanting the Sun Devils to hire from outside the athletic department after the recruiting scandal that rocked the football program, and questioning Rossini's credentials for such a promotion at Arizona State.
Others were willing to give Rossini the benefit of the doubt, and even lauded the hire as a way to help ASU move forward in the NIL era.
More ASU: Michael Crow under fire after Herm Edwards show-cause report, $4.4 million payout
Social media reaction to Graham Rossini's reported hire as ASU's Athletic Director:
.@ChrisKarpman reported yesterday that ASU soon will make Graham Rossini its next athletic director.
Today, Karpman says this of the hire on @AZSports: pic.twitter.com/f1Q6kZRJr9— Sarah Kezele 🌵 (@SarahKezele) May 15, 2024
Had a conversation with @GrahamRossini a couple weeks ago at an @ASU_Baseball game. Touching on NIL, what came through was his belief in the power of true Sun Devils (alumni/ extended ASU family) taking ownership of the programs. As an @ASU alum, it matters that much more to him. https://t.co/JTGU9O46CH pic.twitter.com/tpFN9cCjvn
— DieHardDevil (@DieHardDevilASU) May 15, 2024
Woah. This is awesome. Graham Rossini is a great dude, and most importantly, he actually has a clue about college baseball as a former @ASU_Baseball staffer. https://t.co/HGYvfipg6e
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogers) May 15, 2024
Graham Rossini deserves a supportive fan base. An internal hire is, understandably, not the move many wanted, but I encourage everyone to throw their support behind him. It’s a fresh slate. People who have been around him seem positive so I choose to be too. Go Devils.
— Johnathon Poppe (@JPopppppppp) May 15, 2024
Graham Rossini oversaw several financial projects both as a Diamondback executive as well as in his role at ASU. I'm confident that he will do a good job in the NIL arena and again the fact that he is an alumnus helps a lot in this arena. https://t.co/Xy1uFYdScn
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) May 15, 2024
Graham Rossini, who served on the search committee that hired ASU baseball head coach Willie Bloomquist, made this pitch to recruits and supporters prior to Bloomquist's first season in 2022:
"We are just asking recruits to join the program and follow any aspect of what our… pic.twitter.com/uL3pEmcu5X— Blake Niemann (@Blakes_Take2) May 15, 2024
I've got absolutely nothing against Graham Rossini. A lot of people like him. He could do a great job. But nobody can say they know that with strong confidence because he's never worked at any other college nor led an operation nearly as big or as challenging as ASU athletics. https://t.co/F6opzz7REq
— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman) May 15, 2024
A point to ponder: Poor decisions by Michael Crow as they relate to ASU athletics were partly rooted in trusting the wrong people, former AD Ray Anderson being a prime example. Crow now trusting a more competent AD in Graham Rossini could yield better results.
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) May 15, 2024
I understand the “internal hire” angst post-RA. However, GR appears to be everything that RA struggled with & turned fans off. Passionate about ASU, understanding of the culture, driven to engage with fans/alumni, & has a deep personal drive for ASU’s success. #O2V @GrahamRossini https://t.co/uyio48DrIE
— Sparky Dog (@ASUSparkyDog) May 15, 2024
As expected… ASU staying in house for their new AD.
Graham Rossini is more than qualified for the job, clearly has the ear of the President — now it’s about those actions. He’s about the community. https://t.co/hAksThY7dU— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) May 15, 2024
Michael Crow’s strategy when it comes to Athletics: pic.twitter.com/SbQYCceXI5
— Fire Graham Rossini (@sirwinsk) May 15, 2024
The fact that there is a Twitter account called “Fire Graham Rossini” before the guy even has been officially is so on-brand for the ASU fan base. I have my concerns, too, but dang, no one knows how this is going to turn out. Why not wait and see?
— Tom Blodgett (@sp_blodgett) May 15, 2024
If you’re an ASU fan and don’t like the homegrown ASU ALUM with 20+ years of experience in pro & college sports, got huge $ ASU stadium rights deals done & has been fighting for ASU to grow its NIL & is literally one of us in Graham Rossini… then you’re just not an ASU fan
— Goldschmidt Happened (@GoldyHappens) May 15, 2024
LOVE IT, got a real Sun Devil alum in the AD chair now. Worked a long time w/ #DBacks ran Sakt Rivers Field move, led the naming rights deals for ASU stadiums recently, he’s been stressing NIL importance since day 1. One of us baby great hire @GrahamRossini https://t.co/Oqf4zHRfFf
— Goldschmidt Happened (@GoldyHappens) May 15, 2024
Graham Rossini was nothing but kind to me when I covered ASU Baseball in 2022. Once took 10 minutes out of his day to chop it up with me on the field in Scottsdale during a 100 degree day in that year's Pac-12 tournament. The criticism of the hiring process, especially given what…
— Austin Green (@AustinGreen44) May 15, 2024
You love to see it…@GrahamRossini is a great choice! https://t.co/X4xxv0IyPJ
— Russell White (@Russell_White) May 15, 2024
Alright turning the page,
Congrats to @GrahamRossini and I hope for nothing but the best.
I’m behind him and look forward to moving on from this hell of a last few years and putting @TheSunDevils back on the map.
Forks up!! Go Devils!!!— Joey Palomarez (@SunDevilJoey) May 15, 2024
a graham rossini promotion to be arizona state athletic director — as qualified as he may or may not be — gives way more questions than answers about this six-month process.
— Damon Allred (@iamdamonallred) May 15, 2024
What do you think of the reported hire of Graham Rossini as Arizona State's athletic director?
More: Former ASU AD Ray Anderson shares regrets, but hiring Herm Edwards isn't among them
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona State athletic director reaction: Graham Rossini good hire?
