The Arizona State Sun Devils football team announced Sunday that it has informed the NCAA and Pac-12 of a self-imposed one-year postseason ban following an investigation of recruiting violations.
The investigation dates back to June 2021, when the team was involved in recruiting violations during coach Herm Edwards' tenure. He left the team last season after starting 1-2.
.@KennyDillingham on the Arizona State bowl ban.
"It's my job to try to get our team and rally our team behind each other to go compete and go work at the highest level." pic.twitter.com/wp2PC8s6PL
— PHNX Sun Devils (@PHNX_SunDevils) August 27, 2023
In its statement, Arizona State said, "In light of the ongoing investigation and our membership obligation to maintain the confidentiality of the matter, we will not be commenting further at this time."
For some backstory, the university and Edwards had been under investigation for hosting recruits during a 15-month non-contact period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Five assistants left the program during the investigation, harming the Sun Devils' recruiting efforts.
The team fired Edwards after a 30-21 loss to Eastern Michigan; it had been 26-20 during his five-plus-year stint. They finished the season under Kenny Dillingham and went 3-9.
With this ban, it makes one wonder why the school didn't impose this at the beginning of last season. Now, Dillingham has to deal with this in his first full season as head coach.
Nonetheless, it's fair to say that the Sun Devils' postseason bid chances were relatively low, though a bowl game was possible. Still, this could be a great way to have a fresh start for the next recruiting cycle.
.@Joey_Ramos76 on the Arizona State bowl ban.
"We have an opportunity to ruin people's seasons, so we're gonna make the most of it." pic.twitter.com/sIMicdswVq
— PHNX Sun Devils (@PHNX_SunDevils) August 27, 2023
The Sun Devils' season begins Thursday, Aug. 31, at home against Southern Utah at 10 p.m. ET.
