Oregon poaches key member of ASU football coaching staff

TEMPE, Ariz. — Oregon football was looking for a new RB coach after Carlos Locklyn left to take a position at Ohio State. The Ducks made their search swiftly and settled on a target in Tempe.

Unfortunately for Kenny Dillingham and Arizona State football that target was Ra’Shaad Samples, one of the most important members of his coaching staff.

Oregon football hires Ra’Shaad Samples

Ra’Shaad Samples is one of the brightest young coaches in college football and was an instrumental hire by Kenny Dillingham in 2022. Samples served as the assistant coach in charge of wide receivers and the passing game coordinator for ASU football last season. He was also instrumental on the recruiting trail.

“I think we have a staff that’s full of guys who are going to be head coaches,” Dillingham said when hiring Samples. “When you think of Coach Samples, this is a guy who’s been an assistant head coach in college football from the time he was 26. He’s been a position coach – the youngest position coach in the NFL. This guy will be the youngest head coach in college football someday. It will happen. There is no doubt in my mind he’s going to be. He’s ready for it. He could go run a program today.”

Before coming to ASU, Samples was the youngest position coach in the NFL, serving as the RBs coach for the LA Rams, at just 27 years old. Before that, he had stints at TCU and SMU, where he proved to be one of the best recruiters in college football.

“Ra’Shaad Samples has seen a meteoric rise through the coaching ranks and for good reason,” Dillingham said. “You don’t go from an offensive assistant in college to a position coach in the NFL in just four years without being dedicated to your craft and a work ethic that impresses everyone around you. Coach Samples will be a dynamic addition to this staff in numerous ways.”

Samples’ departure

Samples loves Arizona State, but Oregon simply gave an offer that was impossible to refuse, an anonymous source close to the situation told Sun Devil Daily.

Oregon is one of the premier brands in college athletics. They simply have more resources than many programs, including ASU

This loss will affect the Sun Devils significantly, especially on the recruiting trail. Samples (along with assistant coach Bryan Carrington) has been instrumental in the #Texas2Tempe movement. In ASU’s 2024 recruiting class, four commits were from Texas, including two of the top five recruits in the class (247 Sports).

Not to mention, Samples is listed as the primary recruiter for No. 1 in-state 2025 prospect Cooper Perry (WR, Scottsdale). Many believed Perry’s recruitment was a two-school race between ASU and Oregon. The hiring of Samples to Oregon makes it significantly more likely that Perry ends up in Eugene.

Looking ahead

ASU football has several visitors in the next three months, and many were being recruited by Samples. Look for the Sun Devils to move quickly on finding a replacement, especially this time of year.

ASU’s WR room is stacked with talent including Elijhah Badger, Troy Omiere, Jake Smith, Jordyn Tyson, and others. Barring a mass exodus in the portal later this year, the talent at that position group provides a good opportunity for the next WR coach in Tempe to have success.

In a social media post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Dillingham wished his former assistant luck.

Fired up for @RashaadSamples 2nd time he has become an Assistant Head Coach in the P5 before the age of 30!!! Forever grateful for him helping us get ASU back in a forward direction!!! And can’t wait to see his career continue to sky rocket!!

— Coach Dillingham (@KennyDillingham) April 7, 2024

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