TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State president Michael Crow seemed to exonerate coach Herm Edwards from wrongdoing Wednesday amid an ongoing NCAA investigation into reported major recruiting violations.
“These are not things he was a part of,” Crow said on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.
The statement is the most revealing regarding Edwards’ job since the Arizona State scandal broke in June 2021.
Initial reports stated both ASU and the NCAA had been sent a “dossier” detailing evidence of the program bringing in recruits during the extended NCAA dead period due to COVID-19. Among the items reportedly in the dossier is a photo that appears to show Edwards leading a top 100 recruit around the ASU weight room, according to Yahoo Sports.
Crow was not asked about that seemingly corroborating evidence during this radio appearance. He told CBS Sports he will not comment further at this time.
Since August, five Arizona State assistant coaches have either been resigned, left for other jobs or been fired. Last week, quarterback Jayden Daniels transferred after initial indications were that he was staying with the program.
College football sources across the country contacted by CBS Sports are incredulous that Edwards has survived while his coaching staff has been gutted.
In the radio interview, Crow was asked by host Dan Bickley why Edwards still has his job.
“Coach Edwards has done an outstanding job of upgrading our program,” Crow said. “We’ve got this collision of people who have decided not to play by the rules relative to recruiting. We’ll be looking at how we can make improvements. … Coach Edwards is responsible for the actions of all of his people. But these are not things he asked them to do. These are not things he was a part of.”
Crow added…
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