Frank Kush

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Kush's reputation as one of the game's most physically demanding coaches was forged on the practice fields of Arizona State. His daily drills in the desert heat became legendary, particularly 'Bull in the Ring,' where players circled a central figure who faced a charge from a randomly called opponent until Kush blew his whistle to stop the padded full contact. Another grueling exercise involved lining up only a center, quarterback, and two running backs against an entire defense, repeatedly running the ball carrier into the line to acclimate him to punishment. The most famous technique was 'Mount Kush,' a steep, sun-scorched hill near Camp Tontozona featuring large rocks and cacti where disciplined players ran up and down numerous times without shade. These methods produced remarkable results: from 1969 to 1973, the Sun Devils won five consecutive Western Athletic Conference championships with a 50–6 conference record. During this run, ASU captured the 1970 Peach Bowl and the first three Fiesta Bowls, including a thrilling 17–14 victory over Nebraska in 1975 where Kush's son, Danny, was injured and did not play in that game.

In Their Own Story

The end of Kush's collegiate reign was marked by controversy and legal battles. In September 1979, former punter Kevin Rutledge filed a $1.1 million lawsuit alleging mental and physical harassment, including an accusation that Kush punched him in the mouth after a bad punt against Washington on October 28, 1978. On October 13, 1979, just three hours before a home game against Washington, Athletic Director Fred Miller fired Kush for interfering with the school's investigation into these allegations. Allowed to coach the game anyway, Kush led the Sun Devils to an emotional 12–7 upset of the sixth-ranked Huskies in front of an incensed crowd. After the win, he was carried off the field by his team, though all three victories that season were later forfeited due to ineligible players. The litigation continued until 1986, during which time Kush remained absent from the sideline for the entire 1980 season, the first time in over 30 years he had been away from the game.

Reader's Guide

Kush's professional coaching career began in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1981, where he led the team to an 11–4–1 record and a conference championship game berth. He returned to the NFL as head coach of the Baltimore Colts in 1982, bringing his heavy-handed style to training camp. Eight-year veteran Ken Huff described the intensity: 'There's more hitting than I've ever done in an NFL camp,' noting live one-on-one blocking followed by full 11-on-11 drills. The team finished 0–8–1 that strike-shortened season. Kush's reputation was so formidable that 1983 first overall draft pick John Elway threatened to play baseball rather than serve under him, forcing a trade to the Denver Broncos. After a 7–9 season in Indianapolis (following the franchise's move from Baltimore), Kush resigned on December 13, 1984, citing a desire to be closer to family, and signed with the USFL's Arizona Outlaws for 1985 before the league folded.

Did You Know?

• Kush was born in Windber, Pennsylvania, and played as a 5'7", 160-pound defensive lineman at Michigan State University.
• He rose to the rank of first lieutenant in the United States Army while coaching the Fort Benning football team before his college head coaching career.
• In 1983, receiver Holden Smith poured root beer over Kush during training camp after being cut from the team following an accusation of loafing.
• Kush helped lead the drive for a referendum that elevated Arizona State College to university status.
• Despite ASU being ranked #1 by the Poling System in 1970 and recognized as such by multiple organizations in 1975, the university claims neither title.