Report: Herm Edwards implicated in serious NCAA recruiting violations amid investigation

As coaches leave the Arizona State program due to the NCAA investigation, Sun Devils coach Herm Edwards was also implicated, according to Sun Devil Source of 247Sports.

Edwards was in “impermissible local meetings” with recruits along with three assistants and associate head coach Antonio Pierce, Sun Devil Source reported. Between March 2020 and May 2021, programs couldn’t meet with recruits in-person due to COVID-19.

Arizona State coaches allegedly paid for recruits’ travel to Tempe and covered their lodging in addition to meeting with them. Those are the most serious allegations of the investigation.

The NCAA is also looking into alleged recruiting travel outside of Arizona by members of the coaching staff. At that time, the NCAA wasn’t allowing that.

Additionally, former assistant coordinator for football operations Eric Bowman allegedly accepted money from football coaches in exchange for Arizona State athletics apparel. He then gave that apparel to recruits without cost.

Sun Devil Source also reported Arizona State officials have spoken privately about their concerns regarding the investigation. The Sun Devils could face Level I violations in a Notice of Allegations by the NCAA, per the report.

The impact of the investigation are already making its way across the program. Offensive coordinator Zak Hill reportedly resigned Friday and three assistant coaches — wide receivers coach Prentice Gill, secondary coach Chris Hawkins and tight ends coach Adam Breneman — also left the program.

Reports: Multiple Arizona State assistants, including OC, leave program amid NCAA investigation

Arizona State offensive coordinator Zak Hill is among the coaches to leave the program after an NCAA review, according to multiple reports. DevilsDigest of Rivals first reported the news.

Hill resigned after an NCAA investigation into alleged recruiting violations. The results of the investigation led to Hill’s resignation, according to Devils Digest.

Three other assistants — wide receivers coach Prentice Gill, secondary coach Chris Hawkins and tight ends coach Adam Breneman — are also reportedly no longer with the program. They were previously placed on administrative leave in August.

Hill joined Arizona State in 2020 after four years with Boise State. While with the Broncos, he worked with Bryan Harsin, who’s now the head coach at Auburn. In fact, Harsin wanted to hire Hill to become the Tigers’ new offensive coordinator. He ended up hiring Austin Davis for the role.

Arizona State went 8-5 overall and 6-3 in Pac-12 play this season. The Sun Devils appeared in the Las Vegas Bowl, where they fell to Wisconsin 20-13 on Dec. 30.