ASU offensive coordinator Billy Napier shocked many Sun Devil fans when he took the head coaching job at Louisiana-Lafayette on Friday morning. Diana Payan/ azcentral sports
Bennett: Meeting with Herm Edwards Saturday Jeff Metcalfe/azcentral sports
On returning to ASU under new head coach Herm Edwards Jeff Metcalfe/azcentral sports
azcentral sports' Chris Cole asks Arizona high school football players how much they know about new Arizona State head coach Herm Edwards on Tuesday. Carly Henry/azcentral sports
The east side of Sun Devil Stadium was demolished during the first week of December 2017. It is the final major phase of the stadium renovation. The venue will be ready for the 2018 season. Wochit
azcentral sports' Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss ASU football's head coach position and the Phoenix Suns in our Shot Clock video.
ASU football's defensive coordinator Phil Bennett discusses Herm Edwards, who is reportedly in line to take the Sun Devils job. By Rob Schumacher
Arizona State head coach Todd Graham talks about the Territorial Cup victory over Arizona and his feelings for ASU. By Rob Schumacher
Doug Haller and Jeff Metcalfe discuss the pending hiring of Herm Edwards by Arizona State's Vice President of Athletics Ray Anderson, with an announcement possible coming next week.
azcentral sports' J.J. Hensley and Jay Dieffenbach address the ASU and Tennessee coaching situations and the college football conference championships.
Mark Faller and Dan Bickley discuss Herm Edwards and the ASU football coaching position as well as a possible succession plan in our Shot Clock video.
Shot Clock video: J.J. Hensley and Mark Faller discuss Herm Edwards and the open ASU football coaching position.
A timelapse over the course of eight months during the rebuild of the west side of Sun Devil Stadium. Video: Sun Devil Athletics
Graham: "I'm a Sun Devil. I think I always will be. A couple of my kids graduated from here. I didn't build this place to tear it down." Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
ASU Vice President of Athletics Ray Anderson discusses the decision to fire football coach Todd Graham on Sunday.
Doug Haller and Greg Moore discuss the evolving situation for ASU football Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
Doug Haller and Greg Moore on ASU's 41-30 win over Arizona. Sean Logan/azcentral sports
On second half improvement in rushing in 42-30 Territorial Cup win over Arizona Jeff Metcalfe/azcentral sports
Could Todd Graham be fired if he wins? Also, NFL shifts policy on anthem azcentral sports
ASU offensive coordinator Billy Napier on ASU run game, Territorial Cup, ball protection
What will happen to ASU coach Todd Graham after this season – especially if UA wins the Territorial Cup? Greg Moore and Doug Haller break it down.
Greg Moore visits with Michael Crow in a special edition of the Shot Clock. The ASU President discusses the hiring (and firing) process of coaches and more.
A statue of Pat Tillman was exhibited at the north end zone of Sun Devil Stadium.
Billy Napier gets off the ASU train for Louisiana
Phil Bennett on whether or not he'll return to ASU
ASU offensive coordinator Billy Napier
Arizona high school football players answer: Who is Herm Edwards?
Sun Devil Stadium east side demolition
Shot Clock: Graham best coach? Super Booker!
ASU football's Phil Bennett on Herm Edwards
ASU football head coach Todd Graham talks about the victory over Arizona.
ASU is expected to hire Herm Edwards as football coach
Shot Clock: ASU/Vols mess; college picks
Shot Clock: Long term plan for ASU football?
Herm Edwards: Right hire or dumpster fire?
Timelapse of Sun Devil Stadium offseason renovations
Todd Graham talks after firing
ASU's Ray Anderson talks about firing Todd Graham
Todd Graham fired; Ray Anderson raising expectations at ASU
Recap: Arizona State beats Arizona in Territorial Cup
ASU offensive coordinator Billy Napier
Shot Clock: Black Saturday for Todd Graham?
ASU's Napier previews Territorial Cup game
Sun Devil Report: Todd Graham and Territorial Cup predictions
Michael Crow on ASU football coaching situation
ASU unveils Pat Tillman statue
Not surprisingly, new coach Herm Edwards is looking at former NFL players and coaches to fill out his Arizona State staff. But in wake of Billy Napier's decision to leave for the head job at Louisiana-Lafayette, those potential hires may be on hold.
The Football Scoop reported Friday that former NFL and University of Arizona standout Antonio Pierce is a strong candidate to join ASU's staff, most likely as linebackers coach. Pierce spent nine years in the NFL, splitting time with the Washington Redskins and New York Giants. He played in the 2006 Pro Bowl. Pierce, 39, currently coaches at Long Beach Poly High in California.
In addition, Mike Jurecki of 98.7 FM Arizona Sports reported that longtime NFL assistant Donnie Henderson could be an ASU possibility. Henderson, 60, has coached in both college and the NFL throughout his career. From 1992-97, he coached defensive backs under Bruce Snyder at ASU. He was the Arizona Cardinals' defensive back coach in 2010. He most recently coached defensive backs with the Buffalo Bills. Henderson -- who worked as Edwards' defensive coordinator with the New York Jets -- did not coach last season.
The bigger issue at the moment
ASU doesn't have any coordinators in place. Usually, coordinators have a say in who works on their respective staffs.
Upon dismissing coach Todd Graham, ASU Vice President of Athletics Ray Anderson expressed the importance of continuity, suggesting the Sun Devils had interest in bringing back Napier and defensive coordinator Phil Bennett. At the time, industry insiders considered it an odd move, simply because a new coach almost always prefers to bring in his own people, especially coordinators.
In the end, that's how it will play out.
Bennett recently said Edwards offered him a job -- he did not specify which -- but he passed because of personal reasons. On Dec. 5, Napier was promoted to associate head coach but not much later he interviewed for the Louisiana-Lafayette job and things moved quickly. With his departure, ASU will play next season with its fourth offensive coordinator in as many seasons.
Herm Edwards releases statement on Friday
“I wish Bill nothing but the best in his coaching career," said a news release sent out by ASU athletics. "I can assure all Sun Devil fans that I am working diligently on hiring a coaching staff that will fit what we are trying to accomplish at ASU, led by incredible senior quarterback Manny Wilkins. Assistant Head Coach and Running Backs Coach John Simon and Co-Offensive Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach Rob Likens will be a part of my staff going forward."
Likens, Simon and Sale all were retained from Graham's staff, but their situations could change as well. Edwards -- a defensive-minded coach -- was expected to make changes to the defensive staff even if Bennett had returned.
Since finishing his duties at ESPN, Edwards has taken to the recruiting trail. The first-ever early signing period begins next week.
Contact Doug Haller at 602-444-4949 or doug.haller@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/DougHaller. Download the ASU XTRA app for the latest news on the Sun Devils.
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