ASU Football: Herm Edwards named head football coach of Arizona State

Herm Edwards has been named the new head football coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils, per a release by Sun Devil Athletics on Twitter Sunday night:

The coaching search lasted just three days following Graham’s dismissal before Chris Karpman of SunDevilSource.com reported that Edwards would take over at ASU pending approval from Arizona State University President Michael Crow.

The meeting reportedly went well and Edwards was named the next head coach of the Sun Devils Sunday evening.

Edward’s coaching career began at San Jose State University from 1987-89 as a defensive backs coach, just a year after his NFL career came to an end with the Los Angeles Rams. From there, Edwards joined the Kansas City Chiefs as a scout and defensive backs coach, moved on to become an assistant head coach in Tampa Bay and got his first start as a head coach with the New York Jets in 2001.

His Jets teams made the playoffs during his first two seasons in New York, but Edwards managed to win just 5 of his final 20 down the stretch. He then returned to the Chiefs as a head coach and won just 15 games in 48 attempts in Kansas City.

Edwards then became an on-camera NFL analyst for ESPN and a motivational speaker, providing inspiration teams across all levels of football.

During his coaching career it is notable that Edwards’ agent was Ray Anderson. During the press conference regarding Graham’s dismissal, Anderson did note that he wanted to hire “the right guy” and not “his guy.”

Anderson also noted that he wanted someone with previous head coaching experience and a coach that is a “dynamic recruiter.” Edwards has plenty of experience, but it is yet to be seen whether or not he can recruit at a high level.

Naming Edwards the coach in time for the early-signing period should give him a boost as he will take over following Todd Graham’s departure.

Graham will remain with the team through its bowl game, the Sun Bowl in El Paso Texas on December 29.