The Arizona State University has voluntarily imposed a one-year bowl ban on its football program for the 2023 season, a move that underscores the gravity of the evidence in the ongoing NCAA investigation against the school’s football program.
The decision was announced on Sunday morning, August 27, 2023.
The investigation, which began during the tenure of former coach Herm Edwards, has been probing allegations of repeated and egregious recruiting violations.
Edwards’ stint with the Sun Devils ended abruptly three games into last season following a disappointing loss to Eastern Michigan.
The NCAA investigation was triggered by a dossier of documents submitted on May 31, 2021, detailing a series of recruiting violations.
These included ignoring restrictions during the COVID-19 recruiting dead period, such as arranging travel for recruits, conducting campus tours when visitors were prohibited, and illicit workouts with prospects.
The fallout from the case has been significant, leading to the departure or dismissal of five full-time coaches, including defensive coordinator Antonio Pierce, who is alleged to have fostered a culture where rule-breaking was rewarded.
The timing of the bowl ban is particularly challenging for the current team, which was informed of the decision just days before their season opener against Southern Utah. ‘
The news was reportedly “devastating” for the players, particularly the seniors who had hoped to end their college careers on a high note.
The bowl ban is expected to result in a one-year contract extension for first-year coach Kenny Dillingham, who had protections built into his initial five-year deal tied to the NCAA investigation.
The decision to self-impose a bowl ban comes at a time when the NCAA’s enforcement methods are under scrutiny.
The University of Tennessee recently avoided a postseason ban despite facing a similar volume of allegations, instead receiving an $8 million fine.
This has led to speculation that bowl bans may be an outdated form of punishment, particularly in light of new Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules that have altered the traditional paradigms of amateurism.
Arizona State’s decision to self-impose this punishment suggests the severity of the allegations they face.
Further sanctions are expected for the Sun Devils, who have nine major NCAA violations to their name, more than any other major conference school.
Arizona State athletic director Ray Anderson declined to comment further due to the ongoing investigation. The notice of allegations in the case has yet to be delivered, sources said.
Both Edwards and Pierce are not expected to return to college coaching.
The case is expected to feature an unusual number of former coaches and staff members cooperating, as the original dossier came together as a text chain among Arizona State coaches shocked by the number of rules violations occurring in the program.
The dossier included evidence with pictures and documentation of flights for recruits arranged by assistant coaches and the mother of a former player booking trips for recruits and their families.
