After losing to Eastern Michigan in September, Arizona St. fired head coach Herm Edwards.
The Sun Devils were 26-20 during Edwards’ five-year tenure in the desert, but they failed to achieve national recognition or consideration for the College Football Playoff.
While his firing wasn’t that surprising, the circumstances surrounding it are.
First, it appeared to take place on the field, where athletic director Ray Anderson and University President Michael Crow met Edwards as he walked off the gridiron after losing to the Eagles.
Second, and more significantly, his firing was reportedly aided by his own staff which, allegedly, shared team information with opposing coaches.
According to Doug Haller of The Athletic:
“An opposing coach recently told The Athletic that it wasn’t hard to get intel on this season’s team because some within Arizona State athletics wanted a coaching change.”
That accusation was stunning and not given the attention it deserved. If true, that’s a violation on multiple levels.
Regardless, the Herm Edwards era with the Sun Devils ended in September.
Now, a month later, the two parties have agreed on a financial separation package.
As reported by the State Press, Edwards and the University reached an agreement where he will take a 50% buyout of his remaining salary, which amounts to roughly $4.4 million paid through 2024.
“That then makes it an easier item from a budget perspective and it’s still a lot of money, but it’s less money than it would have been, and that’s because we reached a mutual agreement,” said ASU President Michael Crow to The State Press.
The settlement is low compared to that of other Pac-12 coaches.
Karl Dorrell, who was fired by Colorado this season after an overall record of 8-15, will receive approximately $8.7 million in a full buyout.
Former ASU coach Todd Graham, fired in 2017 after six seasons with the Sun Devils, was offered a $12 million full buyout for the remainder of his deal.
The State Press noted that Edwards signed a two-year extension in January 2020 and made $3.7 million in 2021. His base salary in that extension was $700,000, with an additional salary of $2.8 million and a $200,000 annual increase. It also called for performance bonuses.
Edwards also retains his $590,000 academic performance bonus and his benefits until April 2024 or until he lands another job.
While the separation package gives Edwards a nice financial cushion to rest on while he contemplates his next move, the question of whether his staff sold him out remains unresolved, at least publically.
