AFC West Head Coach Punished for Impermissible Activities in Week 5
By Joe Summers
A bad week for Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce just got worse, as he was handed an eight-year show cause by the NCAA for recruiting violations from his time at Arizona State.
Following the firestorm Pierce helped create that's seemingly ended All-Pro WR Davante Adams' time with the organization, this is just another indication that the Chiefs' bumbling rival has no ground to stand on.
The allegations are damning and continue what's been a long several months for Las Vegas' supposed leader.
Raiders Coach Antonio Pierce Receives Major NCAA Punishment
Raiders HC Antonio Pierce has received an 8-year show cause for recruiting violations during the COVID-19 dead period while he was at Arizona State.
— On3 (@On3sports) October 3, 2024
Violations include taking recruits parents to gentlemen's clubs, travel expenses on unofficial visits, and more.… pic.twitter.com/u10qOMcUZu
These violations occurred during the COVID-19 period when Pierce served as the associate head coach, co-defensive coordinator, and recruiting coordinator for Arizona State.
A majority of the infractions regard unofficial recruiting visits. If they're true, it's easier to understand how Pierce could've been so silly to "like" an Instagram post that has led to Adams' inevitable exit.
As Dan Morrison of On3 writes, in addition to impermissible tryouts, tours, and entertainment benefits, "free meals, apparel, airfare, and/or lodging for 27 prospects were also provided, often in collaboration with the booster, who the NCAA says was the parent of a then-football student-athlete in the program.
On top of these activities occurring during a dead period, the meals, travel expenses, and entertainment are all considered impermissible recruiting inducements. The entertainment itself included "taking a prospect’s parents to a gentleman’s club."
Recruiting violations are nothing new for college coaches. Even Jim Harbaugh has an active four-year show cause from his time at Michigan. For Pierce specifically, it's the cherry on top of a miserable week. He earned the Raiders' job for his reputation in the locker room and not his questionable in-game strategy. After running Adams out and receiving this NCAA punishment, how sterling is that reputation moving forward?
The Chiefs remain the golden standard and the Raiders a laughingstock. We'll see what happens with Adams but either way, it appears Pierce's seat is suddenly growing warm after an encouraging start to the regular season.
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