Inside Jack Nudo’s Approach to Special Teams Leadership

The interim coordinator is ready for the challenges that will come his way.
Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; A general view of the helmet worn by the Arizona State Sun Devils during the game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; A general view of the helmet worn by the Arizona State Sun Devils during the game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

TEMPE -- Arizona State's interim special teams coordinator Jack Nudo spoke to media following Wednesday's practice after taking over for Charlie Ragle this week following a health-related leave of absence for the former.

To watch the full availability, view below.

Below is a partial transcript of head coach Kenny Dillingham's talk with media on Wednesday.

On Stakes of Saturday's Game

"It's a battle of two really good teams that are frustrated, probably that, you know, we're not winning more games. So it's a battle of two teams that, you know, I know Coach Campbell, and he's one of the best coaches in our league, and he finds ways to win for a long time. And he's not an excuse maker. He's a guy that just finds ways to win. And I hope that from that perspective, it's the Battle of two teams that are that want to win a football game really badly, that feel like they're close. And, you know, leaning in on that piece, not not the other piece,"

Nov 23, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of an Arizona State Sun Devils helmet at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

On Quarterback Room

"Yeah, they're workers. I mean, they like football, and when you like football, you multiply the people around you, and then you're ready for your moment. Like Jeff did an unbelievable job last week, coming in, converting the fourth down, then getting us into field goal range, and then coming in again later in the game, and moving the ball down the field and scoring.

So Jeff (Sims) did a great job last week, and we got a lot of confidence in Jeff, you know, going in this game, you know, we know he's going to be the starter 100% so I really feel like we can put together a plan around him and his skill set. And, you know, versus a defense that's a little different than some defenses we face, just structurally. So it's good to know that he's going into this thing, and we got a lot of confidence."

On Approach to Rest of Season

"No, we're trying to win the game 100%. I mean, it's funny how far, you know, a year makes. Year ago, we'd be fired up, juiced up one game at a time, and now the noise is completely different. I don't get asked that question last year, and that's what we have to prevent ourselves from feeding into is that the goal is we got to go win as many games as we can and be as successful as possible to build this place. And it's not going to happen overnight."

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Oct 11, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; A general view of the helmet worn by the Arizona State Sun Devils during the game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Read more on why the Arizona State men's basketball team will exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season here, and on why the 2025 football team is at a crossroads following a loss to Houston here.

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Kevin Hicks
KEVIN HICKS

Kevin Hicks is an Arizona State alumni and now serves as the Arizona State Beat Writer On SI.