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Football and hoops struggles lead to AD change at Arizona State

Herb Sendek

Arizona State head coach Herb Sendek, center, watches during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Stanford at the Pac-12 Conference tournament in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

AP

In a move that surprised few, Arizona State Vice President of Athletics Lisa Love was replaced by Steve Patterson.

The big issue during Love’s tenure that led to her departure were the struggles of the men’s basketball and football programs. ASU fired Dennis Erickson following the 2011 season, replacing him with former Pitt head coach Todd Graham.

As for men’s hoops, head coach Herb Sendek has had 12 players leave the program over the last four years yet had a two-year contract extension approved by the Arizona Board of Regents in December.

During Love’s tenure the school won seven national titles and has made great strides academically, but in the two big revenue sports as well as baseball the Sun Devils have struggled in recent years.

“We expect to have a program that consistently competes for Pac-12 championships, with athletes that graduate, connect and serve our community, and operate with integrity, discipline and respect,” said Patterson, who was the COO of Sun Devil Athletics.

“It’s time for our men’s basketball and football programs to compete for championships and perform at the same level as our successful spring sports.”

What could this mean for Sendek? One would think that working under the boss who didn’t hire you could ramp things up from a job security standpoint.

And with Trent Lockett being among the most recent transfers beginning such a revival (even with Jahii Carson in the fold) in 2012-13 becomes all the more difficult.

Raphielle is also the assistant editor at CollegeHoops.net and can be followed on Twitter at @raphiellej.