Dan Devine, a longtime football coach who led the Sun Devils to their first perfect season and national ranking, died Thursday after a long illness. He was 77.
Devine began his coaching career at the Tempe campus in 1955. He eventually went on to coach the University of Missouri and Notre Dame, where he led the Irish to a 53-6-1 record after replacing coach Ara Pareghian. He also coached the Green Bay Packers for three years and was once named NFL Coach of the Year.
After leaving ASU in 1957, Devine coached the Missouri Tigers for 13 years. During his tenure, the Tigers won four bowl games and never lost more than three games in a season.
Frank Kush, who was hired by Devine, became head coach after Devine's departure.
After his coaching career ended, Devine became executive director of the Sun Angel Foundation. In 1992, he became athletic director at Missouri, and retired in 1994.
