TEMPE, Ariz. — Entering Week 4, Arizona State has a lot going on both on and off the field. The Sun Devils (2-1) open Pac-12 play on Saturday against Colorado. Meanwhile, the NCAA continues to investigate allegations that the staff hosted recruits during the 15-month non-contact period put in place because of the pandemic. Does the probe have anything to do with Arizona State’s sloppy start? Have there been noticeable operational changes? We’ll do our best to answer some of the key questions below.
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Where does the investigation stand?
For at least a month, the NCAA has interviewed high school prospects who allegedly visited campus during the COVID-19 dead period. It’s believed that these interviews led to the Aug. 9 suspensions of receivers coach Prentice Gill and defensive backs coach Chris Hawkins. (Tight ends coach Adam Breneman was placed on paid administrative leave July 16.)
The next step will be to interview Arizona State’s staff. According to a source familiar with the investigation, these interviews could start as soon as next month. If this happens, the Sun Devils would be in the meat of the Pac-12 schedule so the timing would not be ideal. This could cause issues within the football office, one coach wondering what another might say. As part of the investigation process, many staffers already have turned in their work and personal cell phones.
Does the investigation have anything to do with Arizona State’s undisciplined start?
To say that it doesn’t would be naive. Since no one knows what next season will look like, the investigation has put pressure on the Sun Devils to produce this season. I thought Arizona State’s biggest problem in its season opener against Southern Utah was that it looked like it was trying to win the Pac-12 in Week 1. Playing with urgency is necessary. Trying to accelerate a process that can’t be accelerated leads to mistakes.
Also, the suspensions of Breneman, Gill and Hawkins had a ripple effect. Arizona State was in solid position with its support staff. Analyst Juston Wood had lost out on the tight ends job to Breneman, so he was the ideal candidate to replace him. Graduate assistant Trey Anderson (quarterbacks) has been with the program for a while, and consultant Donnie Henderson (defensive backs) has extensive college and NFL experience. But those three, plus graduate assistant Bobby Wade, who’s coaching receivers, had responsibilities before their promotions. Although Edwards said Monday he thinks the staff has adjusted well, just the fact that it had to adjust so much is an issue. It’s not hard to imagine certain things getting rushed or overlooked. The stress from the investigation always was going to show up on the field in some form. The question is, can it be fixed?
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Could Breneman, Gill or Hawkins return next season?
I have heard nothing that suggests this is a possibility. Usually schools don’t put coaches on leave with intentions of bringing them back.
Have you noticed changes in daily operations because of the investigation?
This is difficult to answer because nearly everything is different due to COVID-19 restrictions. Reporters aren’t around as much, players and coaches aren’t available as much. When news of the investigation first broke, some athletic department staffers were upset simply because of the stain it left on the entire department. Others were miffed at the hypocrisy of a staff accused of breaking rules while running its program under the motto, “Words and Actions.” That has quieted as fall sports have begun, but to say everything’s “business as usual” is a stretch.
How involved is Arizona State president Michael Crow in the investigation?
Sources say the decision to suspend the assistants came from Crow. On Aug. 12, Sun Devils cornerback Jack Jones tweeted at Crow saying, “Respectfully we want our coaches back.” That tweet was later deleted. As previously reported, Crow has earned praise for his cooperation during previous NCAA investigations. This could mean Arizona State is headed for a negotiated resolution, in which both sides agree on the facts of the case, the severity of the infractions and the penalties.
In 2018, Crow told the Arizona Republic that he twice has sat in front of the NCAA infractions committee and it wasn’t a “pleasurable experience.” It would seem he’d want to avoid that, if possible. Contributing here is that the NCAA reportedly has receipts and screenshots that might prove Arizona State not only hosted prospects during the COVID-19 period but also paid for their travel expenses. There might not be much here for Arizona State to contest.
Along with vice president of athletics Ray Anderson, Crow still waits for Edwards beyond the north end zone after every home game. This month the school president also is scheduled to meet with head coaches and administrators. It’s an annual meeting, and in the past Crow has emphasized his expectation for Arizona State coaches to run clean programs. In addition, he has told head coaches that they are responsible for the actions of their assistants. Given the allegations against the football program, a similar speech this time might be awkward.
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How has the investigation affected recruiting?
Not well. Two four-star defensive backs already have decommitted. Another, Larry Turner-Gooden of Mission Hills, Calif., remains committed to Arizona State’s 2022 class, but he just visited Penn State over the weekend. Next month he’s scheduled to visit Texas. Considering Hawkins and Gill were Turner-Gooden’s lead recruiters, Arizona State’s chances of keeping him probably aren’t great. The Sun Devils are down to five public 2022 commitments, fewest among Power 5 schools. They rank 88th nationally and 12th in the Pac-12, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. To catch up, they’ll likely have to hit the transfer portal hard this spring.
Does the changing environment in college athletics factor into this?
Several fans have pointed out that by the time investigation is complete, the NCAA may not even exist in its current form. I ran this by someone who is familiar with the enforcement process, and he said no matter what happens, programs always will want assurance that they’re competing on a level playing field. He didn’t think the NCAA’s future or the shifting climate in college athletics would factor into Arizona State’s case.
(Photo of Herm Edwards: Kirby Lee / USA Today)
