Arizona State's Ray Anderson comments on Herm Edwards' firing, buyout, impending search
After announcing that the program has agreed to mutually part ways with head coach Herm Edwards, Arizona State athletic director Ray Anderson met with members of the media to discuss the move.
Arizona State will conduct a national search for the next head coach, with Anderson telling reporters they would look at younger candidates who are better positioned to connect with the current generation of player and handle things like NIL, the transfer portal, and analytics.
Anderson also didn’t have a comment on what Edwards’ buyout might be. He was under contract through the end of 2024, but Arizona State has deemed his departure as a “relinquishing of responsibilities.” It’s unclear if that could influence what Edwards is owed, or if the ongoing NCAA investigation — which Anderson said he couldn’t comment on — will have any impact.
Here’s what Anderson said:
Anderson on what Edwards' buyout will be: TBD
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) September 18, 2022
“Yes we’re in better shape,” Anderson said. No regrets in hiring Edwards. But program still is not where they want it to be.
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) September 18, 2022
Ray Anderson says ASU will under go a national search for the program’s next head coach. Says they are still working out how will search will go, regarding search firm and how much he will be involved.
— Doug Haller (@DougHaller) September 18, 2022
Ray Anderson says decision was mutual for Herm Edwards to step down and that opportunities were not capitalized on.
“Toughest day of my professional career, no doubt.”
“When it’s time for the change, you make the change.” pic.twitter.com/giEC2JJad2
— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman) September 18, 2022
Ray Anderson indicates that it may take someone young with a lot of energy and understanding of the quickly-changing landscape of college football to be the right fit for ASU's next head football coach.
— SunDevilSource.com (@SunDevilSource) September 18, 2022
Anderson: Do we regret the decision (to hire Edwards)? No.
"Do we regret that we didn't have more success? Yes."
— SunDevilSource.com (@SunDevilSource) September 18, 2022
Anderson: "We were very frustrated with the lack of determination, urgency" in the football program.
— SunDevilSource.com (@SunDevilSource) September 18, 2022
Anderson anticipates All current staff will remain in current roles. RB coach Shaun Aguano will be interim coach
— Michelle Gardner (@MGardnerSports) September 18, 2022
Anderson says NCAA head coaches now "have to be ready for NIL, transfer portal, conference realignment, the threats, concerns, recruiting, etc."
"I think there's going to be a different set of characteristics" from new head coaches.
— Jake Anderson (@jwa1994) September 18, 2022
Anderson said the ASU football program is "absolutely" in a better spot now than it was five years ago when Edwards was hired.
"Are we in better shape? Yes. Are we where we wanna be? No. Do we regret the decision? No. Do we regret that we haven't had more success? Yes."
— Jake Anderson (@jwa1994) September 18, 2022
Anderson: "Herm did not resign, he was not dismissed, we agreed to a relinquishment of duties" as head coach of ASU.
— Jake Anderson (@jwa1994) September 18, 2022
Anderson does not feel that finding a new head coach will be more difficult now than it was 5 years ago. “There’s a lot of folks who think this is a very coveted job,” he said.
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest) September 18, 2022
Anderson on the new era of college coaching and how ASU may incorporate that in its hiring process: "The ones who are really into analytics and all that data stuff" will be more prominently positioned.
— SunDevilSource.com (@SunDevilSource) September 18, 2022
