NCAA Penalties for Las Vegas Raiders Coach Antonio Pierce
Las Vegas, NV – Antonio Pierce, the current head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, has been hit with an eight-year show-cause penalty from the NCAA due to his involvement in recruiting violations while he was an assistant at Arizona State from 2018 to 2021. The NCAA announced the penalties on Thursday, revealing that Pierce and former ASU staff member Anthony Garnett were part of a scheme that engaged in impermissible recruiting activities during the COVID-19 dead period.
This latest news comes after the University of Arizona State has already faced consequences, including a five-year show-cause penalty for former head coach Herm Edwards and reductions in scholarships. Arizona State also self-imposed a postseason ban for the 2023 year and vacated nine out of ten wins from the 2021-22 seasons due to using ineligible players.
The NCAA’s findings revealed that Pierce and other staff members arranged unofficial visits for about a year during the dead period. This included impermissible contact with 35 prospects and their families. Pierce is accused of providing meals, clothing, travel, and even entertainment, which resulted in overruling NCAA policies. Among the shocking details was an incident where Pierce allegedly took a prospect’s parents to a “gentlemen’s club” during one of these visits.
As a popular assistant at ASU, Pierce became the defensive coordinator in 2020 but resigned before the start of the 2022 season. The issues came to light in 2021 when a report was filed with ASU and NCAA compliance. Following the allegations, Pierce was one of five assistants who either resigned or were let go.
Interestingly, while many other former ASU staff assisted the NCAA with their investigation, it seems little has changed for Pierce. He found a new opportunity in the NFL, first as a linebackers coach for the Raiders in 2022 and later promoted to head coach after Josh McDaniels was fired last season. Under his leadership, the Raiders finished with a 5-4 record, which solidified his position as their full-time head coach.
