The NCAA laid down the hammer of Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce. Pierce was handed with an eight year show cause order because of violations that occurred when he was an assistant coach at Arizona State, the NCAA announced Thursday.
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.
Violations include taking recruits parents to gentlemen's clubs, travel expenses on unofficial visits, and more.… pic.twitter.com/u10qOMcUZu
— On3 (@On3sports) October 3, 2024
The NCAA’s findings
“In arriving at an eight-year show-cause order for Pierce. The panel emphasized his role as the ringleader in orchestrating the recruiting violations,” according to the report from the NCAA.
“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,” the report says.
Most of the violations were related to what the NCAA referred to as a “scheme.” Which was orchestrated by Pierce to circumvent restrictions in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pierce facilitated impermissible recruiting contact with 35 prospects. Including “tryouts, football facility tours and entertainment.” It was also determined he directed an assistant. Who’s task was to engage in tampering with a player enrolled at another school. But also to travel out of state to observe and meet with prospects during a recruiting dead period.
In the 67-page report, there are several mentions of former booster Regina Jackson, the mother of former ASU and current Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, who assisted with setting up impermissible campus visits and other violations. Daniels transferred from ASU to LSU after the 2021 season, won the Heisman Trophy in 2023 and was selected No. 2 in the 2024 NFL draft by the Commanders.
Without a doubt this is a message from the NCAA saying that Pierce is not allowed back into the college ranks. But that’s most likely fine for Pierce as he’s comfortable in the NFL.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
