TEMPE – Starting as an unpaid intern, Arizona State coach Bryan Carrington worked his way up the college football ranks, becoming a key figure in the Sun Devils’ turnaround. Saturday will be a full-circle moment for the Houston alumnus.
In 2015, Carrington volunteered in the Cougars’ recruiting department. A decade later, as the Sun Devils’ cornerbacks coach, he is preparing to take on the school that gave him his first chance.
“Ten years ago, I was bartending and coming in, folding recruiting letters in (Houston’s) office,” Carrington said. “I knew all it took was for one coach to get a job and bring me from underneath this umbrella with him.”
The ambitious volunteer secured his opportunity when former Houston coach Tom Herman took over the reins at the University of Texas. By 2018, Carrington had risen to the director of recruiting for the Longhorns, where he helped sign current Sun Devils defensive back Xavion Alford and multiple five-stars such as Arizona’s own Bijan Robinson, an Atlanta Falcons running back.
Carrington’s time at Texas also marked the start of his relationship with ASU coach Kenny Dillingham.
“Dilly jumped in my DMs a long time ago when I was at the University of Texas,” Carrington said. “He was like, ‘Hey man, I don’t know you. I know you don’t know me, but you’re somebody I need to know. I talk to a lot of recruits and they bring your name up.’ He sent me his number and we have kind of had an organic relationship since.”
When Dillingham was hired at Arizona State, Carrington did not waste time reaching out. With talks of conference realignment looming, Carrington pitched his connection to the state of Texas and the need for a pipeline to the Lone Star State.
Carrington joined the Sun Devils staff ahead of the 2023 season and has helped turn the program around while proving integral to its “Texas2Tempe” movement. Through three recruiting cycles, Carrington has helped bring in 17 high school recruits from Texas.
Against Texas Tech, the Sun Devils had five defensive starters from the state of Texas.
“He was a guy who’s always been great at building relationships,” Dillingham said. “I wanted to bring him in because of his relationship in Texas, his relationship with players, and it has been good for us.”
While Carrington has built his career on his ability to recruit, he has molded into a standout position coach at ASU. His secondary will be tested again against former five-star quarterback Conner Weigman and the Houston offense. The veteran signal caller leads a disciplined Cougars charge with his arm and legs.
Weigman has thrown for 1,380 passing yards with 11 passing touchdowns, six scores on the ground and just two interceptions. With speedy wideout Amare Thomas emerging, Houston’s passing game is thriving.
Thomas is averaging nearly 100 receiving yards per game with three touchdowns over the Cougars’ last three contests, including seven explosive receptions. His big-play ability can strike at any moment, and ASU will need to account for the junior receiver every snap.
Deep shots hurt the Sun Devils earlier this season, but against Texas Tech, Carrington’s group bounced back. Facing a Red Raiders passing attack averaging more than 300 passing yards a game, ASU held them to just 167 through the air with one explosive play.
ASU will need a similar recipe against Houston, and cornerback Keith Abney II will be key in slowing down Thomas. Under Carrington, Abney has developed into one of the country’s best defensive backs.
This season, opponents have a 46.2 QBR when targeting Abney, which ranks second among defensive backs in the Big 12. Pro Football and Sports Network ranks Abney as the highest-graded corner in the Big 12 with a 94.1 grade.
Through seven games, Abney has 22 tackles, seven pass breakups, an interception and a sack. Pro Football Focus has Abney as its No. 71 overall prospect on its latest 2026 NFL prospect rankings and eighth among corners.
The former three-star recruit out of Waxahachie High School in Dallas committed to Utah State just days before flipping to ASU ahead of signing day. His trust in Carrington and the program led him to his decison to go to Tempe.
“(Carrington) is the one who gave me a chance to be here, so it was huge,” Abney said. “I’m just thankful for him believing in me.”
However, Carrington can’t credit himself without mentioning Sun Devils coach DeWayne Walker, who has coached footbal longer than Carrington has been alive.
“I always tell people we have a Mr. Miyagi and Danielson relationship,” Carrington said. “I’m the young, vibrant and metrics-based guy, and he’s wax on, wax off.”
Carrington has leaned on Walker’s experience and knowledge of the game to continue developing as a coach. He considers Walker a mentor and said the play of the defensive backs is a testament to his influence.
One day, Carrington strives to be a Mr. Miyagi himself, and he has the mindset to do it. Growing up on the north side of Houston and graduating from St. Pius X High, Carrington said that many of his male role models were his football coaches, and he hopes to become that kind of mentor himself.
Between his background and philosophy, Carrington is one of the hottest risers among young coaches in college football. Saturday marks a reunion with his Houston roots.
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. MST at Mountain America Stadium Saturday.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
