Frank Kush, the college Hall of Fame coach who took Arizona State University to national football prominence, but who was fired midway through his 22nd season when he was accused of trying to impede an investigation into an assault allegation lodged by a player, died on Thursday in the Phoenix area. He was 88.
His death was announced by the university, which did not specify where he died. His son Danny told The Arizona Republic that Kush had dementia.
A native of Pennsylvania coal country and a son of a miner, Kush, one of 15 brothers and sisters, escaped the prospect of a life in the mines by turning to football.