The NCAA gave Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce a one-year suspension from athletic activities for violating the principles of ethical conduct.
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NCAA Investigation Finds 'Impermissible Recruiting Activities'
Pierce was a subject in the organization's investigation of the Arizona State Sun Devils and their reported "program wide effort to engage in impermissible recruiting activities during the COVID-19 dead period." He served as the ASU's defensive coordinator from 2018-2021 under head coach Herm Edwards.
In Thursday's announcement, the NCAA highlighted a "scheme" in which Pierce and other ASU staffers orchestrated to circumvent restrictions in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pierce facilitated impermissible recruiting contacts — including tryouts, football facility tours and entertainment — with 35 prospects and their families. Pierce arranged for or personally provided free meals, apparel, airfare and/or lodging for 27 prospects.
In one incident, Pierce took a prospect's parents to a "gentlemen's club" as part of entertainment that was provided during visits.
According to the association's review, Pierce allegedly "ran the show" for ASU's football program. Several members of the coaching staff claimed so in interviews with enforcement staff, saying they were afraid not complying with his directives would result in unemployment.
Pierce, ASU Coaching Staff Were Served Justice
The NCAA revealed back in April that Arizona State was punished for recruiting violations that occurred under former head coach Herm Edwards. In addition to an unknown fine and four years of probation, ASU received a decrease in scholarships and increased recruiting restrictions.
The NCAA imposed a five-year show-cause punishment on Edwards. Pierce was not part of the school's negotiated resolution with the NCAA, his role in the case was adjudicated separately.
The NCAA concluded that if Pierce wants to return to the collegiate level, he will be suspended from all athletic activities for one year at whichever program he's a member of. Additionally, he was slapped with an eight-year show-cause order, meaning for the next eight years any NCAA program that hires him will need to 'show cause' as to why it should not be sanctioned.
