Kenny Dillingham and the Sun Devils’ 2025 Rocky Balboa-esque campaign technically came to an end after losing to the Houston Cougars over the weekend. The Sun Devils failed to cash in on their preseason ranking and early promise. Without Jordyn Tyson, the Cougars held the Sun Devils to a 26-17 loss. That “L” officially knocked ASU out of playoff contention and crushed their dream of running the Big 12 back. With a 5-3 record, the tension naturally eased, and the pressure dropped. Amid that shift, an ASU assistant coach decided to step away to focus on recovering from long-standing health issues.

Sun Devils fans were hit with another tough piece of news over the weekend. Arizona State assistant coach Charlie Ragle is stepping away for a while. On October 26th, college football insider Chris Karpman took to X and shared the update: “BREAKING: Charlie Ragle, ASU’s assistant HC and ST coordinator, informed Kenny Dillingham today that he will take an immediate health-related leave of absence, sources tell me and @mzenitz. He was not fired or asked to step down.”

According to multiple reports, Ragle informed head coach Kenny Dillingham that he would be taking an immediate, health-related leave of absence. A long-standing health issue was reportedly made worse by the stress of the team’s struggling special teams performance. The Sun Devils’ special teams have been a major problem this season — ranked near the bottom in the FBS. They’ve committed costly mistakes, including missed field goals and frequent penalties, especially in key moments. All of this reportedly took a toll on Coach Ragle’s health.

This is a deeply personal decision for Ragle and his family. He and Dillingham go way back — Ragle coached Dillingham at Scottsdale Chaparral High School in the late 2000s. He was also Dillingham’s first hire in November 2022. After the hard-fought loss to Houston, Ragle hit his breaking point and decided his health had to come first.

While the special teams have had their ups and downs, it’s important to note that Ragle wasn’t fired or forced out. This was entirely his decision to step away and prioritize his well-being — a move that takes honesty and courage. Ragle previously served as the head coach at Idaho State in 2022 before returning to ASU. While the Sun Devils sit at 5-3 this season, the special teams unit continues to struggle. Following the news, Sun Devil Nation rallied behind Ragle with messages of support and prayers for his recovery. In the meantime, assistant coach Jack Nudo will take over special teams duties as the team looks to regroup on the field.

Sun Devil Nation Sends Prayers for Coach Ragle’s Recovery

When Chris Karpman broke the news on X, it didn’t take any long for Sun Devil Nation to flood the comments with love and digital prayers.

The Fans from all corners of ASU football came together, sending heartfelt messages wishing Coach Ragle a fast and full recovery. One fan wrote, “Damn, hope he’s okay. Prayers to him and his family.” Before getting ‘He bailed’ and ‘He curved’ remember, Ragle’s been battling a long-term health issue that reportedly worsened in recent weeks. He’s not walking away from the season or the system, perhaps he’s simply choosing his health first for once.

Another fan reminded everyone of something that often gets lost in the heat of football: “There’s always a human element we all forget. Praying for him and his family.” It’s a home-run weightage message for many; especially in a sport where wins and losses can sometimes overshadow determine their self-worth and level of respect.

Also, one fan took it a step further, sending a personal thank-you to the longtime coach: “Get well, Coach Ragle. You don’t need to stress anymore. Thank you for talking Kenny into becoming a football coach back when he was in high school. ASU will take it from here.” The Sun Devils got plenty of work to do in the special team.

Of course, some fans also pointed out that not every special teams issue should fall on Ragle’s shoulders. “I couldn’t imagine having a high-pressure job that depends on the consistent performance of 18–22-year-olds. Males that age are idiots,” one fan joked. And honestly, they do have a point here, but partly. Blaming Ragle entirely for seven special teams penalties and two missed field goals against Houston seems bit harsh.

One final comment summed up the overall sentiment best: “Thank you, Charlie, for doing the right thing. Appreciate it.” It’s that rare moment where the fanbase collectively paused from the chaos of the season to simply wish someone well. Sometimes, football takes a backseat to life.