A week ago, today Arizona State’s Vice President for Athletics, Ray Anderson, dismissed head football coach Todd Graham. Tonight, the school announced that former NFL head coach Herm Edwards was tapped to be at the helm of the program, while a new restructured ASU football model was announced as well.
"Our goal for this football program is to reach unprecedented heights, and therefore we need to find a way to operate more innovatively and efficiently than we have in the past," Anderson said in an official statement. "In the spirit of innovation, our vision for this program is to have a head coach who serves as a CEO and is the central leader with a collaborative staff around him that will elevate the performance of players and coaches on the field, in the classroom, and in our community. Equally important, the head coach will be a dynamic and tireless recruiter.
"During my years with and around the NFL, there is not a more respected man that has the passion for the game of football like that of Herm Edwards. I have no doubt his ability to lead, inspire and develop young men will translate into his staff and into recruiting, and I'm confident he is the visionary and leader we need to command this new ASU football model."
Edwards who is currently an analyst for ESPN has coached eight years and posted an overall record of 57-77. In five seasons as head coach of the New York Jets from 2001-05 Edwards had a 39-41 mark, and at the helm of the Kansas City Chiefs, he sported a record of 15-33 between 2005-08. He joined ESPN following his last season with the Chiefs.
"Passion for my faith, my family and my occupation as a football coach are the things that have driven me back to the grass," Edwards said. "My personal commitment to build young men to be whole people through the game of football is completely in alignment with the vision President Michael Crow and Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson have for this program. I stand ready for the challenge of working with them to elevate Sun Devil Football. I am very excited and humbled to be the Arizona State head football coach."
The New Leadership Model implemented will allow for resource sharing and strategic planning between the football staff and administrators who are directly involved with the program.
The administrative division will be primarily composed of Anderson, Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director Jean Boyd, and Senior Associate Athletics Director Scottie Graham. The sports division will operate with an experienced and senior football administrator, Senior Associate Athletic Director Tim Cassidy, helping to manage day-to-day operations, along with a variety of staffers responsible for player development, player personnel, and recruiting, among other areas.
Sun Devil Football's existing recruiting infrastructure will be upgraded through additional staff support and evaluation resources, by instilling a culture of accountability at all levels and building long-term relationships in communities across the country to help ensure recruiting quality and consistency. Both the sport and administrative divisions will play key roles in student-athlete development.
The New Leadership Model affords coordinators and assistant coaches more flexibility in how they develop student-athletes on the field, and enables Sun Devil Football to build on the 'Championship Life' program already in place through the Office of Student-Athlete Development to better equip student-athletes with the tools and skills necessary to succeed in their respective future endeavors.
A press conference to announce the Edwards hire has been called for Monday, December 4th at Sun Devil Stadium. Stay tuned to our coverage from that event and our post- press conference analysis.
Join us at the Devils’ Huddle to discuss the Herm Edwards hire and all other team and recruiting news.
