The Unsettling Ripple: Ragle's Departure Rocks ASU's Recruiting Boat, But Dillingham Holds Firm

Well, isn't this just the way of college football, a perpetual motion machine of departures and arrivals, sometimes with little warning. Arizona State, it seems, has just felt another spin of that particular carousel. Charlie Ragle, the Sun Devils’ special teams coordinator and tight ends coach — a pivotal figure, you could say — has packed his bags for Houston. He’s headed to join the Cougars, taking on the defensive line coaching gig there. And honestly, it’s a pretty significant shake-up, one that's sure to reverberate, especially on the always-fraught recruiting trail.

You see, Ragle wasn’t just a coach; he was, in truth, a formidable recruiter, a guy with deep, abiding ties to the Arizona high school scene. This made him indispensable for head coach Kenny Dillingham’s nascent program. It's not just about X's and O's, is it? It's about connecting, building those relationships, and convincing young athletes that Tempe is the place to be. His move, frankly, leaves a noticeable void, a gap that Dillingham and his staff are now scrambling to fill.

Perhaps the most immediate ripple from Ragle’s exit concerns Jesus Gomez. Now, if you’re not deep into recruiting circles, you might not know the name, but Gomez is a highly touted long snapper — yes, a long snapper, a position often overlooked but absolutely crucial. Ragle, for all intents and purposes, was the primary architect of Gomez’s commitment to ASU. He’d built that bridge, nurtured that relationship. So, when the news broke about Ragle heading east, one couldn't help but wonder: what about Gomez?

The young man himself, a three-star talent, offered a glimpse into his thoughts not long after the news hit. He posted on social media, expressing, quite understandably, his disappointment at Ragle’s departure. It was a genuine moment, a bit of vulnerability in a world often dominated by polished statements. But here’s the kicker, the crucial detail: Gomez also reaffirmed his commitment to the Sun Devils. "Still locked in," he wrote. A relief, certainly, for anyone rooting for the maroon and gold.

This steadfastness, though, didn't happen by accident. Head coach Kenny Dillingham, to his credit, was right there on the front lines, fighting to keep Gomez in the fold. We're talking about a direct, personal call to the recruit. It underscores, doesn’t it, the relentless, personal nature of college football coaching? It’s not just about the plays; it’s about the people, about managing expectations and emotions when things get—well, a little messy.

Special teams, after all, are more than just an afterthought at ASU; they've traditionally been a point of pride, a consistent strength for the program. And Ragle, with his expertise, certainly played a significant role in maintaining that standard. His departure to Houston, where he’ll shift gears to coach defensive linemen, means Dillingham now faces the not-so-small task of finding a new leader for that critical unit. But more than that, he's got to continue to reassure his recruits, ensuring that the foundation Ragle helped lay doesn’t crumble. It’s a testament to the unpredictable, high-stakes drama that truly defines college sports, isn't it?