Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce is not going to be a part of the negotiated decision between the NCAA and Arizona State tied to the almost-three-year-old case that is nearing a conclusion, sources informed CBS Sports activities.

Pierce is not essentially exonerated within the case. He is not compelled to sit down for an in-person interview with NCAA investigators wanting into alleged main recruiting violations on the faculty, however as an alternative, sources informed CBS Sports activities that Pierce will likely be submitting a written assertion to NCAA. After the assertion is reviewed and in comparison with the NCAA’s findings, Pierce may then be penalized. Pierce’s cooperation with the NCAA shouldn’t be required as a result of he’s not in school athletics. 

Sources beforehand informed CBS Sports activities the negotiated decision, which is predicted to be made official within the close to future, accommodates a show-cause penalty for former Solar Devils head coach Herm Edwards. Pierce, thought of a central determine within the recruiting scandal, may obtain the same penalty. 

A show-cause penalty means a faculty might be topic to sanctions if it hires a coach in the course of the size of that punishment. Neither Pierce nor Edwards are anticipated to return to varsity soccer anytime quickly, nonetheless. 

That is basically the NCAA’s scarlet letter in stopping accused coaches from getting jobs. Present-cause penalties have been lately strengthened on the NCAA’s annual conference in January.

CBS Sports activities reported in February that Arizona State was anticipated to conform to main violations within the negotiated decision course of. The case started when the ASU workers allegedly entertained recruits on campus in the course of the COVID-19 lifeless interval, which was in violation of NCAA guidelines. Additional postseason penalties aren’t anticipated after the college self-imposed a one-year bowl ban in August 2023 in an try and mitigate future punishment. 

A negotiated decision happens when colleges, concerned individuals and NCAA enforcement conform to “violation, degree, classification and penalties,” in response to the affiliation. The method makes use of fewer sources and expedites circumstances. Any remaining penalties are accepted by the NCAA Committee on Infractions. 

Pierce, a former Arizona linebacker, was a valued ASU assistant from 2018-21. He was elevated to defensive coordinator in 2020 and resigned previous to the 2022 season. 

The alleged violations got here to mild in 2021 when a file of data was despatched to Arizona State and NCAA compliance. Edwards reportedly met with a number of prospects, together with some in 2020, at a rented off-campus dwelling within the swanky Paradise Valley space. 

It’s not clear whether or not any sanctions would observe Pierce to the NFL. 

Edwards, again at his outdated job as an NFL analyst with ESPN, may be topic to punishment below the NCAA’s head coach accountability bylaw. Although the bylaw was strengthened on Jan. 1, 2023, Edwards could be topic to earlier language, that existed when the ASU investigation started, stating coaches are “presumed to be accountable” for the actions of their workers.

Pierce was amongst 5 assistants who resigned or have been fired after the allegations surfaced. Different Arizona State assistants reportedly cooperated with the NCAA hoping to mitigate penalties.

The Arizona State case is believed to be “bifurcated” — a newly adopted methodology the place decision may be reached with people and/or colleges inside a bigger case.  

Air Power, Tennessee and Memphis lately had circumstances resolved by means of bifurcation. Arizona State self-imposed the postseason ban whereas former assistant coaches have been nonetheless going by means of a conventional investigation.

Michigan and former coach Jim Harbaugh have been seemingly on a bifurcated observe after they agreed to what was described as a “tentative decision” that resulted in a four-game suspension for Harbaugh to start out the 2023 season. Within the ongoing case, Harbaugh is alleged to have lied to NCAA investigators about Stage II violations concerning recruiting visits in the course of the pandemic.

Michigan can also be being investigated for attainable wrongdoing within the celebrated sign-stealing case as properly.