TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State has self-imposed a one year postseason ban upon its football team, athletic director Ray Anderson announced this morning.
The Timing of ASU’s Self-Imposed Ban: More Than Meets the Eye?
The postseason bowl ban comes in the wake of an NCAA investigation that has been going on since 2021. The NCAA has been looking into former head coach Herm Edwards and recruiting coordinator/defensive coordinator Antonio Pierce. Pierce, who starred as a linebacker as a pro with the Washington Commanders and New York Giants, was in his first college coaching role with ASU at the time of the alleged violations. Pierce is currently the linebackers coach for the Las Vegas Raiders.
During the COVID pandemic, ASU was allegedly committing recruiting violations, some of which were documented by certain staffers. That documentation was then passed along to the NCAA.
The self-imposed bowl ban ensures that ASU is done participating in bowl games as a member of the Pac-12 conference. On July 1, 2024, ASU, in addition to the University of Arizona, Utah, and Colorado, becomes a member of the Big 12 conference.
So perhaps Ray Anderson, first-year coach Kenny Dillingham and the rest of the ASU administration are trying to put these violations and the ensuing investigation behind them prior to the move to the Big 12.
The Underlying NCAA Investigation: A Look Back at the Alleged Violations
But let’s consider the timing for just one moment. The self-imposed ban comes four days before ASU kicks off its season against Southern Utah; it comes six weeks after the start of the new academic year and does not give graduating players a chance to make a decision whether to stay or go.
Implications for Outgoing Seniors: A Race Against the Clock
Unfortunate news and unfortunate timing for outgoing seniors who now have no chance to participate in postseason football during their last season of eligibility. Will any of them choose to redshirt and maintain their last season of eligibility for the 2024 season?
They have four days to decide.