Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce has been handed an eight-year show-cause penalty by the NCAA due to recruiting violations that occurred during his tenure at Arizona State. The ruling, announced on Thursday, highlights serious infractions that took place during the COVID-19 dead period.
Key Takeaways
Antonio Pierce received an eight-year show-cause penalty from the NCAA.
Violations included arranging unofficial visits during the COVID-19 dead period.
Pierce and former staff member Anthony Garnett provided impermissible benefits to recruits.
The NCAA found that 27 prospects participated in these visits, with eight later enrolling at ASU.
Arizona State has already self-imposed a one-year bowl ban.
Details of the Violations
The NCAA's investigation revealed that Pierce, along with Garnett and other staff members, orchestrated unofficial visits to Arizona State during a time when such activities were prohibited. These visits spanned over 15 weekends and included:
Free meals and travel expenses for recruits.
Entertainment activities, including taking prospects' parents to a gentlemen's club.
Facility tours and tryouts that violated NCAA rules.
The NCAA's ruling stated that these actions constituted significant breaches of recruitment regulations, particularly during the COVID-19 dead period when in-person visits were not allowed.
Consequences for Pierce and Garnett
As a result of the violations, the NCAA imposed the following penalties:
Antonio Pierce: Eight-year show-cause order, meaning he cannot participate in NCAA activities if hired by an NCAA school during this period.
Anthony Garnett: Five-year show-cause order with similar restrictions.
If either individual is hired by an NCAA institution during their respective penalties, they would be barred from participating in any athletic activities.
Impact on Arizona State
The NCAA's findings indicated that 27 prospects were involved in the illicit visits, with eight of them enrolling at Arizona State and competing in 19 games while ineligible. The university has already taken steps to mitigate the fallout by self-imposing a one-year bowl ban, but it remains uncertain if further penalties will be levied against the school or other staff members.
Pierce's Role and Response
Antonio Pierce joined Arizona State in 2018, initially serving as the linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator. He later took on additional responsibilities, including associate coach and defensive coordinator. After being hired by the Raiders in 2022, he was promoted to interim head coach and had the interim tag removed in January 2023.
During the NCAA investigation, Pierce reportedly failed to fully cooperate. While he confirmed some details regarding the visits, he denied organizing them or committing any violations. In contrast, Garnett acknowledged some recruitment contact but refuted other allegations.
Conclusion
The NCAA's ruling against Antonio Pierce serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of violating recruitment regulations. As the Raiders coach faces this significant penalty, the implications for Arizona State and the broader college football landscape remain to be seen. The case underscores the importance of compliance in recruitment practices, especially during unprecedented times like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sources
Raiders coach Antonio Pierce given 8-year show-cause penalty by NCAA for recruiting violations during time at Arizona State - Yahoo Sports, Yahoo Sports.
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