With ASU’s head coach Herm Edwards’ vast NFL background, it was only fitting that his first outside hire to the Sun Devils program, as well as the first hire on the defensive side of the ball, would involve an individual with ties to the professional level.

DevilsDigest.com reported last Friday that former nine-year NFL veteran and Super Bowl champion and current Long Beach (Calif.) Poly head coach, Antonio Pierce, will join the coaching staff in Tempe as the linebackers coach replacing Keith Patterson.

The Long Beach Press-Telegram reported Thursday evening that Pierce was stepping down from his job at Long Beach Poly and was offered by ASU.

Pierce, 39, ironically played for Arizona State’s archrival, University of Arizona. As an undrafted free agent, the linebacker played four years with the Washington Redskins and in his last campaign with the team, he tallied a career-high 114 tackles, 95 of them solo. Ever since his first year with the New York Giants he became the captain of that defense and won a Super Bowl with his team in Super Bowl XLIII.

On February 7, 2014, Pierce was named the head coach at national powerhouse Long Beach Polytechnic High School, replacing Raul Lara, who stepped down as the head coach of the program after 13 seasons. During his tenure with the Jackrabbits, Pierce posted a 31-15 record and was league champion in 2014 following an 11-2 mark.

ASU junior defensive lineman JoJo Wicker was coached by Pierce at Long Beach Poly, and his hire can possibly cause Wicker to rethink his early entry to this year's NFL draft.