azcentral sports Wed Jan 15, 2014 2:55 PM

Todd Graham heard about it. The Arizona Sports 620 radio comments from ESPN analyst Mark May about him privately “lobbying like heck” to try to get the recently open Texas job.



“I heard it from not one, but two of our reporters at ESPN that he was lobbying to get that job,” May said this month. “ … It was another one of his ‘dream jobs.’ ”



I visited with Graham this week for the first time since the season ended Dec. 30. Over the course of 40 minutes, we discussed several topics, including his two years on the job, this season’s disappointing finish and a defense he will have to rebuild.



Graham didn’t directly respond to May, but he did say this:



“I’m here. I want to build a top-five program in America. That’s why I’m here. Through all this stuff, it really is irritating to me, because you can say whatever you want to say whether it’s true or not true. I have said over and over again my commitment is to this program. I haven’t pursued or entertained anything outside this program.”



Also on this topic: When ASU Vice President for Athletics Steve Patterson left in November for the same position at Texas, both Patterson and ASU President Michael Crow told reporters that Patterson agreed he would not take ASU employees with him.



On Arizona Sports 620, May suggested the agreement didn’t exist.

“I’m just telling you what I was told by our reporters at ESPN, that is not the case,” May said.



False.



Through a public-records request, azcentral sports obtained a copy of the non-solicitation agreement. It states that until Nov.24, 2018, both parties agree that without written consent of the ASU president they will not in any form:



-- … “solicit, recruit, induce or encourage, or attempt to solicit, recruit, induce or encourage any (Sun Devil Athletics) employee to leave the employ of ASU for any reason or …



-- … “employ any SDA employee in any manner whatsoever.”



And just to be sure there’s no confusion over who qualifies as an SDA employee, the agreement includes a link to an ASU web page that lists every coach and administrator, from Graham all the way down to his secretary. (Interestingly, the agreement does not apply to Texas’ women’s athletics program. It is free to hire or recruit SDA employees.)



The agreement is dated Nov.24, 2013 and signed by Crow, Patterson and Texas President William Powers.

Does this mean it’s impossible for Texas to hire an ASU coach during the restricted period? Probably not. Crow always could consent. But it makes it clear it won’t be easy.



So there’s that.



Moving on.



ON THE SEASON



Graham admitted that ASU’s effort in the 37-23 Holiday Bowl loss to Texas Tech “puts a bad taste in your mouth” but said it shouldn’t overshadow what the program has accomplished in two years.

“It’s phenomenal how far we’ve come in a short period of time,’’ he said. “We won eight conference games. Six of those we dominated in. We scored 62 on USC, 58 on Arizona. And really, if not for the debacles in the special teams against UCLA, that was a dominating performance on the road. I remember when we first won at Cal (in 2012). Everybody made a big deal out of that. Just look at how much we’ve grown.”



REBUILDING DEFENSE



With linebacker/defensive end Carl Bradford declaring for the NFL draft, ASU will be down nine defensive starters when it meets for spring practice. Graham said he faced a similar situation once at Tulsa. It’s not ideal, but not overwhelming, either.



“Do we have big shoes to fill? I’m not an idiot,’’ he said. “Of course, we do.”



But he’s excited about several young players, including safety Marcus Ball, defensive end Chans Cox, linebackers Viliami and Alani Latu, and defensive back James Johnson. Just like when he arrived, Graham said he will adjust his scheme to match ASU’s personnel.



“A lot of people will talk about how young we are, and then the next year they’ll say this young defense is going to be around awhile,’’ Graham said.



Reach Haller at doug.haller@arizonarepublic.com or call 602-444-4949. Follow him at Twitter.com/DougHaller.