Report: Arizona State president says program 'remains committed to' AD Ray Anderson

A lengthy saga at Arizona State that has unfolded over the past several months stemming from an NCAA investigation that ultimately played a part in the firing of coach Herm Edwards continues, but it will do so with athletics director Ray Anderson remaining in his role.

On Tuesday evening, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Arizona State president Michael Crow issued a vote of confidence of sorts in Anderson.

“Ray is our VP for University Athletics,” Crow told ESPN. “We are in the thick of making things work here and Ray is moving things forward.”

There were questions about Ray’s job security following his hire of Edwards, which ultimately went south and landed the program in hot water with the NCAA.

Anderson arrived at Arizona State as athletics director in 2014. He was hired by Crow after stints as the NFL’s executive vice president of football operations, with the Atlanta Falcons organization as an executive and running his own sports agency.

Anderson was instrumental in the hiring of Edwards, who was tabbed the Sun Devils coach in 2017. Anderson represented Edwards during the latter’s NFL coaching days while serving as a sports agent.

Thamel notes Anderson remains under contract with the university through February 2026.

How good a job is Arizona State?

That’s a question On3 reporter Jesse Simonton attempted to answer following Edwards’ firing in September after a 1-2 start for Arizona State in the 2022 season.

For some candidates, the situation with Crow and Anderson likely impacts the answer to that question.

Simonton noted some in the coaching industry have described the job as “a sneaky great gig,” writing the following:

On the one hand, the program might be at its nadir considering the current roster, looming NCAA sanctions and an AD on thin ice. ASU has also been leapfrogged by in-state rival Arizona, with Jedd Fisch showing recruiting chops Edwards did not.

And yet, Arizona State is also viewed as a sneaky great gig by some in the coaching industry.

The Sun Devils have fantastic facilities. The weather is awesome. The recruiting footprint is really good, too — with access to Phoenix, which is pumping out tons of Power 5 prospects (especially quarterbacks), and California. The recent news of the expanded College Football Playoff should make Arizona State more attractive, too.