ASU should fire Ray Anderson, Herm Edwards, Arizona state senator says
An Arizona state senator is joining the call for Arizona State University to fire Athletic Director Ray Anderson and football coach Herm Edwards.
T.J. Shope Jr., a Republican from Coolidge and ASU graduate, tweeted Friday morning that it was time for ASU President Michael Crow to dismiss the two leaders.
“I questioned the Herm Edwards experiment at the time but got excited with initial results,” Shope posted. “However, with the seeming total lack of institutional control, it’s time for @michaelcrow to make changes within @ASU Athletics by releasing Ray Anderson & Edwards of their responsibilities.”
More:Herm Edwards firing talk reignited with ASU football staff changes amid NCAA investigation
Talk surrounding the potential firing of Edwards has been reignited in the wake of five assistant coaches losing their jobs during an NCAA investigation into recruiting allegations surrounding ASU’s football program, with some coaches resigning and others being fired.
ASU recruiting coordinator Antonio Pierce was the latest to go, when it was announced he would not be returning to the Sun Devils earlier this week.
Many have also called for Anderson, the Vice President for University Athletics at ASU, to be fired as he was the person who hired Edwards. Anderson was previously a sports agent and represented Edwards when he coached in the NFL.
More:Arizona State football recruiting class for 2022 ranked worst in Pac-12 Conference
Former ASU baseball coach Tracy Smith appears to be one of those supporting Anderson’s dismissal. He sent out a cryptic tweet earlier this week about the state of ASU athletics.
“If a bus drives into a wall, and you want to know why, you question the driver,” Smith tweeted. “As this particular bus heads towards the wall, the only casualties are the passengers who are getting thrown under it before impact.”
More:Herm Edwards video resurfaces amid Arizona State football NCAA recruiting investigation
Rumors have been circulating that ASU could move on from Edwards, but ESPN SportsCenter anchor Matt Barrie, a former Arizona State student, tweeted Friday morning that Edwards would return as ASU coach.
“Despite rumors circulating that a move will happen today, Herm Edwards will remain the head coach of ASU football. Herm and AD Ray Anderson spoke with the team yesterday morning.”
More:Arizona State football fans sound off on Herm Edwards returning as Sun Devils coach
Edwards is 25-18 in four seasons as ASU coach, including going 8-5 in 2021.
The Sun Devils were expected by many to contend for the Pac-12 title last season, but fell short of those expectations.
The recruiting investigation has surrounded the team all season and Edwards’ 2022 recruiting class is currently ranked No. 105 in the nation, an historically bad ranking for the program.
More:Arizona State football fans call for Ray Anderson to be fired, not just Herm Edwards
Reach Jeremy Cluff at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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