Jake Plummer understands the experience of being a high school football recruit offered something authentic.
For him, it was former Arizona State coach Bruce Snyder encouraging him to choose the Sun Devils for a chance at a national championship. This aspiration became reality during ASU’s 11-1 season in 1996, culminating in a Rose Bowl loss.
While opinions may vary, Plummer sees promising signs in Year 2 of head coach Kenny Dillingham. He recognizes Dillingham’s ambition and notes ASU’s progress in the NIL game. However, for Plummer, the key factors are Dillingham’s consistency and his talent for recruiting the right players.
“It’s hard to say (in the past if ASU was) hiring the right or wrong guy,” Plummer told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Monday. “You got to get the right players. Coaches bring in the right guys that are tone-setters.”
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo serves as a prime example for Plummer.
The former ASU quarterback recalls observing Skattebo during a spring practice, where injuries plagued the running back group, except for the Sacramento State transfer.
“(Skattebo) took every single rep in practice and on special teams,” Plummer noted. “This kid wouldn’t tire out. You could see he was (tired), but he wouldn’t quit. He kept returning to the huddle. I told him, ‘That’s impressive to watch someone like you practice like that.’ That’s a tone-setter right there.”
Plummer, who has his own narrative of helping the Sun Devils succeed in the 1990s, believes a similar turnaround could be underway. There are indicators that ASU is on the right path.
A notable victory against Kansas two weekends ago was significant. Plummer attended and later informed Dillingham that the atmosphere felt different in a positive way.
This was further solidified by a Friday win over then-No. 16 Utah, enhancing Arizona State’s presence on the national scene.
ASU is now just three spots away from The Associated Press top 25 rankings.
“I’m always keeping a thumb or little radar of what’s going on there as I like to see ASU succeed,” Plummer said. “What I see from Kenny is a lot of great energy, consistency. The guys, the players, they seem to care more. They seem to have a little bit more passion and heart of getting out there and making it happen.
“I love it. I love seeing the postgame interview (by Dillingham). It was fantastic. You don’t see a lot of coaches — a lot of them are pissed off after a win with that stern looking … ‘the team made five errors here and there.’ Kenny was bouncing around and laughing and enjoying what he’s been trying to build there and what’s been lacking for years, some energy.”
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