In a significant development in college football, Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce has been handed an eight-year show-cause order by the NCAA due to recruiting violations that occurred during his tenure as an assistant coach at Arizona State University (ASU).
The NCAA's ruling, announced on Thursday, October 3, 2024, detailed a series of violations that Pierce and other ASU staff members, including former football analyst Anthony Garnett, committed during the COVID-19 pandemic. These violations included orchestrating unofficial visits to the university, providing recruits with complimentary meals and travel expenses, and engaging in other impermissible recruitment activities during the recruiting dead period.
Nature of the Violations
The investigation revealed that Pierce, along with Garnett and other staff members, facilitated unofficial visits for 27 recruits over 15 weekends during the COVID-19 dead period. These visits included tryouts, tours of the football facilities, and various perks such as meals, clothing, airfare, and lodging. Some visits even involved inappropriate entertainment, including taking parents of recruits to a gentlemen's club.
Pierce was also found to have directed an assistant coach to engage in tampering with a student-athlete enrolled at another institution who was not in the transfer portal. The assistant sent 46 text messages and made at least one phone call to the athlete, who ultimately did not transfer to ASU.
Consequences and Sanctions
As a result of these violations, the NCAA issued an eight-year show-cause order against Pierce, which means that if he is employed by an NCAA institution during this period, he would be barred from participating in any athletic activities. Additionally, he would face a suspension for the first football season and would be allowed no contact with any of the program's coaches or players during that period.
Garnett received a five-year show-cause order and would also face a one-season suspension if hired during the next five years. The NCAA also mentioned the involvement of former booster Regina Jackson, the mother of former ASU and current Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, in setting up impermissible campus visits and other violations.
Impact on Arizona State University
Arizona State University has already imposed a self-directed one-year ban from bowl games in response to the violations. The university was also punished by the NCAA in April with four years of probation, an undisclosed fine, vacated games in which ineligible players competed, reduced scholarships, and recruiting restrictions.
Pierce's tenure at ASU began in 2018 as a linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator. He was promoted to associate head coach and defensive coordinator in 2020. He left ASU in 2022 to join the Las Vegas Raiders as a linebackers coach and was later named interim head coach before being hired permanently in January 2024.
Cooperation and Accountability
The NCAA noted that Pierce did not fully cooperate with the investigation, providing false or misleading information and refusing to provide his financial records. In contrast, Garnett accepted some accountability, admitting to certain recruitment contacts while refuting other allegations.
The investigation highlighted that Pierce used his position of authority to pressure staff members into engaging in violations, often by instilling fear that they would lose their jobs if they did not follow his orders. This behavior was a significant factor in the NCAA's decision to impose the severe penalties.
