Arizona State fired Herm Edwards on Sunday, a day after Sun Devils fell 30-21 to 20.5-point underdogs Eastern Michigan at home.
The shock upset represented a new low point for Edwards in Tempe. ASU was thoroughly outplayed, giving up over 300 rushing yards — 258 of which came from Samson Evans, a player who had entered Saturday's clash having never surpassed the century mark on the ground.
The kindling surrounding Edwards' program was clear to see: an NCAA investigation loomed over the program, one that has inhibited ASU's recruiting ability. Saturday's result — a demoralizing defeat to a team tipped to be a cellar-dweller in the MAC — represented the match that set Edwards' Arizona State career up in flames.
Statement from Vice President of University Athletics Ray Anderson. pic.twitter.com/4Rj77Gnhkt
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) September 18, 2022
Running back coach Shaun Aguano will helm the team as the interim coach going forward, per Rivals' Devils Digest.
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Here's what you need to know about Edwards' dismissal.
Why did Arizona State fire Herm Edwards?
Edwards' dismissal may come as a shock to some, who point to the fact that the 68-year old coach finished above .500 record in each of his three full seasons in Tempe. However, it seems his position at the top of Arizona State's football ladder was untenable after the NCAA inquired about potential recruiting violations this offseason. ASU reportedly hosted recruits on campus during NCAA-sanctioned dead periods.
Five Sun Devils assistants left the program in light of the allegations, including defensive coordinator Antonio Pierce.
The program saw a mass exodus of transfers following the 2021 season, with starting quarterback Jayden Daniels joining LSU and freshman All-American linebacker Eric Gentry joining Pac-12 rivals USC.
It seems the NCAA investigation put a real strain on the Sun Devils. And things reached a boiling point after the Sun Devils' loss to the lowly Eagles.
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Here's what Arizona State president Michael Crow had to say after the defeat:
ASU president on Herm Edwards and the overall football program after losing to Eastern Michigan: https://t.co/4iUT1WXuPr pic.twitter.com/HD1qJ99dVA
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) September 18, 2022
Some things are bigger than winning. For Crow and the Sun Devils, Arizona State's struggles on Saturday, coupled with the controversy surrounding the program, made Edwards' job at the helm unsustainable.
Edwards finishes his time in Tempe with a 26-20 record.