Earlier this week Arizona State filled their coaching vacancy with a questionable hire. They hired ESPN analyst and former Chiefs and Jets head coach Herm Edwards. Edwards also has coaching experience at the college level. The problem is he has coached in college since 1989.
Many people are questioning the hire for that reason. Others point to his record as a head coach, 56-78, including 2-14 in his last coaching stint with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The big question is why was Herm Edwards hired as ASU's next football coach. If we have the true answer to that question maybe we can be more at ease with the hire.
Most will tell you he was hired because he is Athletic Director Ray Anderson's friend. Some will say it's because he is a good motivator and thus he will be a good recruiter.
In my opinion he was hired because he is the right man for the job.
At first I thought the hire was a bad move. Bring a mediocre at best NFL coach that hasn't coached in nearly 10 years to a college program that has consistently underachieved? It can't be successful or can it?
ASU came in to this season knowing it could be coach Todd Graham's last if they did not improve. ASU was 5-7 a year ago and ended the season with an embarrassing loss to in state rival Arizona. This year they finished 7-5 and not only did they avenge the loss to Arizona but they also qualified for a bowl game.
The Sun Devils do not to change much to compete in the PAC 12 next season. They need help with recruiting and I think that's where Herm Edwards will excel. He has coached in several high school all star games over the past few years and while it isn't much it's enough to give him the edge he needs.
Edwards will also keep the previous offensive and defensive coordinators. This is a big advantage for Edwards because based on what Ray Anderson and Edwards said at the introduction press conference they will model the team after an NFL franchise. The assistant's will coach the team and Edwards will serve as the face of the program.
One thing is for sure the hiring of Coach Edwards has made ASU the talk of college football. He will coach for 3 years at most keeping them as average as they have been and then the program will be handed over to Offensive coordinator Billy Napier.
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