Arizona State announced on Sunday that it has ‘mutually’ agreed to part ways with head coach Herm Edwards after Saturday night’s 30-21 loss to Eastern Michigan.

Edwards was 26-20 as Arizona State’s head coach, hired by athletic director Ray Anderson prior to the 2018 season and hailed as the kind of coach who could usher in the ‘pro model’ at the college level. Edwards produced three winning seasons in four years — the only year that wasn’t was a 2-2 mark during the four-game 2020 season — but his program has been embroiled in an NCAA investigation for over a year.

According to Devils Digest, however, the investigation into alleged recruiting violations had nothing to do with Edwards’ departure. Multiple reports have suggested Edwards “relinquished” his duties as head coach in the wake of Saturday’s loss, which dropped the team to 1-2 on the season.

The news comes as a shock to some, who thought Edwards might make it through the year given his relationship with Anderson. Reaction was swift in the wake of the news.

Here’s some of what folks are saying:

https://twitter.com/JasonWolf/status/1571612600328409088?s=20&t=x8fCtNehxNYSfTqFptIw5w

https://twitter.com/alex_kirshner/status/1571608223559327745?s=20&t=G4O_1zVIiK7ESRcJLPPqFw