Editing Herm Edwards (section)

==Coaching career==

===Early years===
After his playing career ended, Edwards became a defensive assistant at [[San Jose State Spartans football|San Jose State]] (1987–1989),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marshall |first=John |date=September 18, 2022 |orig-date=September 18, 2022 |title=Arizona State fires Herm Edwards following loss to Eastern Michigan |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/2022/09/18/arizona-state-fires-herm-edwards-following-loss-eastern-michigan/10421667002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929113250/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/2022/09/18/arizona-state-fires-herm-edwards-following-loss-eastern-michigan/10421667002/ |archive-date=September 29, 2022 |access-date=September 18, 2024 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US}}</ref> then was an NFL scout and defensive backs coach with the [[Kansas City Chiefs]] (1990–1995), for former [[Cleveland Browns|Browns]], [[Kansas City Chiefs|Chiefs]], [[Washington Commanders|Redskins]], and [[History of the San Diego Chargers|Chargers]] coach [[Marty Schottenheimer]]. With the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] (1996–2000), he was a defensive backs/assistant head coach under [[Tony Dungy]]. On January 28, 2001, Edwards was hired as head coach of the [[New York Jets]].

===New York Jets ===
In his five years as the Jets head coach, Edwards compiled a {{nowrap|39–41}} regular season record, including a {{nowrap|5–15}} stretch during his final twenty regular season games with the club, and a {{nowrap|2–3}} record in the playoffs. Edwards decided to run a 4–3 "Cover 2" defense. Although many fans and players questioned Edwards' decisions, the Jets had mild success in Edwards' first two seasons, reaching the playoffs in both. The Jets were the sixth seed in [[2001 New York Jets season|2001]], losing on the road in the first round to the [[2001 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]] {{nowrap|38–24}}. In [[2002 New York Jets season|2002]], the Jets squeaked into the playoffs with a {{nowrap|9–7}} record, due to winning the tie-breakers in a three-way tie for the [[AFC East]] Division lead with the [[2002 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]] and the [[2002 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]. The Jets advanced through the Wildcard round this time, which led to a return trip to Oakland. Once again, Edwards and the Jets came up short, losing {{nowrap|30–10}} to the [[2002 Oakland Raiders season|Raiders]]. Following a disappointing {{nowrap|6–10}} season in [[2003 New York Jets season|2003]], the Jets reached the divisional round of the AFC playoffs once more in [[2004 New York Jets season|2004]], where they lost to the [[2004 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]] {{nowrap|20–17.}} In [[2005 New York Jets season|2005]], a year marred by injuries, inconsistent play, lack of player development, and rumors swirling about Edwards possibly leaving the organization, Edwards led the Jets to a woeful {{nowrap|4–12}} record. Following the end of the season, the Jets made the highly unusual move of trading a coach—Edwards—to another team (the [[2006 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]]), in exchange for a player to be chosen in round four of the [[2006 NFL draft|2006 draft]]. Overall, Edwards' tenure as head coach of the Jets was marred by chronic clock management problems, an ultra-conservative "play not to lose" mentality, and a lack of any discernible defensive philosophy, despite Edwards' supposed expertise in the Cover 2 defense.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/herm-jet-lagged-takes-blame-new-spin-collapse-article-1.565373 | work=New York Daily News | title=Herm Jet-Lagged Takes Blame In New Spin On Collapse | date=November 16, 2004 | url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202050148/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/herm-jet-lagged-takes-blame-new-spin-collapse-article-1.565373 | archive-date=February 2, 2017 | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scout.com/nfl/chiefs/story/644249-herm-edwards-a-head-coach?s=115 |title=Herm Edwards: A Head Coach?|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202105840/http://www.scout.com/nfl/chiefs/story/644249-herm-edwards-a-head-coach?s=115|archive-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref> The Jets replaced Edwards by hiring [[Eric Mangini]], a senior assistant coach with the New England Patriots.

====Departure from New York====
Following the [[2005 Kansas City Chiefs season|2005 season]], Chiefs president [[Carl Peterson]] hinted to the press about interest in hiring Edwards that could have been considered [[Tampering (sport)|tampering]]. The Jets granted permission to the Chiefs to speak with Edwards.<ref name="permission">{{cite web |url=http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2006/01/06/chiefs_given_permission_to_talk_to_herm_edwards2/ |title=Chiefs given permission to talk to Herm Edwards |publisher=Kansas City Chiefs |access-date=July 9, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060510122419/http://kcchiefs.com/news/2006/01/06/chiefs_given_permission_to_talk_to_herm_edwards2/ |archive-date=May 10, 2006 }}</ref> At the time, Edwards had two years remaining on his contract with the Jets. However, Peterson wanted Edwards (a longtime personal acquaintance) to succeed head coach [[Dick Vermeil]], who was Edwards' coach on the Eagles and had just retired.

As the rumors started swirling, a war of words between the two teams began to start up in the media. In the midst of all the speculation, Edwards tried to use what leverage he thought he had with the Jets to get a contract extension and hefty pay raise from the Jets, which only served to further anger the club's owner. Eventually, the two teams worked out a deal, and the Chiefs sent the [[New York Jets|Jets]] a fourth-round pick in the [[2006 NFL draft]] as compensation (the Jets later used this selection to take [[Leon Washington]]).<ref name="Edwards named">{{cite web |url=http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2006/01/09/herm_edwards_named_the_10th_head_coach_in_kansas_city_chiefs_history2/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111201410/http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2006/01/09/herm_edwards_named_the_10th_head_coach_in_kansas_city_chiefs_history2/|archive-date=January 11, 2009
|title=Herm Edwards named the 10th head coach in Kansas City Chiefs history|publisher=Kansas City Chiefs |access-date=July 9, 2008}}</ref>

===Kansas City Chiefs===
Edwards' regular season coaching debut with the Chiefs was a {{nowrap|23–10}} home loss to the [[2006 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]] on September 10. His first win with Kansas City came in the third game of the season on October 1, a 41–0 shutout of the [[2006 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]].

The [[2006 Kansas City Chiefs season|2006 season]] would see many highs and lows. Starting [[quarterback]] [[Trent Green]] suffered a serious [[concussion]] in the first game of the season. Despite Green's injury, the Chiefs continued to stay in contention, largely thanks to backup quarterback [[Damon Huard]] and [[Pro Bowl]] running back [[Larry Johnson (running back)|Larry Johnson]]. In a move some considered controversial, Edwards chose to sit Huard and start Green when he returned from injury.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070108142921/http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/football/nfl/kansas_city_chiefs/16359695.htm Huard shines again], ''Kansas City Star'', January 1, 2007.</ref> At the time, Huard's performance at quarterback was one of the best in the league, having thrown 11 touchdowns and just one interception, averaging 7.7 yards per pass attempt, and posting a [[quarterback rating]] of 98.0<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214042356/http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4180 |archive-date=December 14, 2007 |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4180 |title=ESPN – Damon Huard Stats, News, Photos |date=December 14, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> (2nd best rating in the NFL, second to only [[Peyton Manning]]).

Additionally, the Chiefs were {{nowrap|5–3}} in games started by Huard in 2006. Upon his return, Green struggled and failed to perform at the level of play that he had achieved in previous seasons, throwing seven touchdowns (against nine interceptions) and going {{nowrap|4–4}} as a starter. Green's poor play led to Edwards placing more of the offensive burden on the shoulders of Larry Johnson, who ultimately ended up setting a record for rushing attempts in a season.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}

The Chiefs finished at 9–7, edging out the [[2006 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] (who lost in [[Overtime (sports)|OT]] to the [[2006 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]] in the final game of the season) by divisional tiebreaker for second place in the [[AFC West]], and making the playoffs as the sixth seed in the AFC.<ref>{{cite web |title=2006 Kansas City Chiefs Starters, Roster, & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/kan/2006_roster.htm |website=pro-football-reference.com |publisher=Sports Reference, LLC |access-date=December 31, 2019}}</ref> This was their first playoff appearance since 2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kansas City Chiefs Franchise Encyclopedia |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/kan/ |website=pro-football-reference.com |access-date=December 31, 2019}}</ref>

On January 6, 2007, the Chiefs were soundly defeated by the [[2006 Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis Colts]] {{nowrap|23–8.}} In the first half, the Chiefs offense failed to produce a single first down. This was the first time in the modern NFL era (post [[AFL–NFL merger]]), and the first time since 1960, that any team had been held without a first down in the first half of a playoff game.

In [[2007 Kansas City Chiefs season|2007]], Edwards' streak of losses on opening day continued as the Chiefs lost to the [[2007 Houston Texans season|Houston Texans]] {{nowrap|20–3.}} This loss marked the first time since the opening day of the 1970 season that the Chiefs had lost by a margin of 17 points on opening day, and was the first time in a decade that the Chiefs had been held to three points or less on opening day. The Chiefs under Edwards ended the 2007 season 4–12 with a nine-game losing streak, which tied the then-longest losing streak in the history of the Chiefs franchise.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}

In the 2007 season, the Chiefs were plagued with quarterback, running back, kicker and offensive coaching controversies. [[Damon Huard]] started the season and compiled a 4–5 record. He was benched in favor of Edwards' 2006 draft choice [[Brodie Croyle]], who split time with Huard mid-season, was injured, then finished most of the season. Croyle played in a total of nine games and did not win any. Running back [[Larry Johnson (running back)|Larry Johnson]] injured his foot mid-season and was replaced by [[Priest Holmes]] who came out of retirement late in the year<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 22, 2007 |title=Holmes Retires, Ending Second Stint With the Chiefs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/22/sports/football/22nfl.html |access-date=December 31, 2019 |work=The New York Times|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> and was ineffective, averaging just three yards per carry and recording no touchdowns.<ref>{{cite web |title=Priest Holmes |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/priestholmes/2501222/careerstats |website=[[NFL.com]] |publisher=NFL Enterprises LLC. |access-date=December 31, 2019}}</ref>

Kicker [[Justin Medlock]] was Edwards' draft choice but was cut after the first game and replaced by [[Dave Rayner]]. He was cut late in the year and replaced with [[John Carney (American football)|John Carney]]. Finally, after promoting [[Mike Solari]] from offensive line coach to offensive coordinator in 2007, Edwards fired Solari and replaced him with [[Chan Gailey]] in early 2008. He also fired his offensive line coach, receivers coach, and running backs coach.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chiefs fire offensive coordinator, three assistant coaches |url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d805ae16a/article/chiefs-fire-offensive-coordinator-three-assistant-coaches |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224004529/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d805ae16a/article/chiefs-fire-offensive-coordinator-three-assistant-coaches |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 24, 2019 |website=[[NFL.com]] |access-date=December 24, 2019}}</ref>

Chiefs owner [[Clark Hunt]] set the tone for the [[2008 Kansas City Chiefs season|2008 season]] by expressing his support for Edwards and general manager [[Carl Peterson]] and their plan to rebuild the team. However, Clark did warn that he expected the Chiefs to be competitive for a playoff spot.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}

In an attempt to rebuild the team, the Chiefs cut numerous aging veterans in the offseason, and the team traded [[Pro Bowl]] defensive end [[Jared Allen]] to the [[Minnesota Vikings]]. As a result, Edwards fielded one of the youngest teams in the NFL. Edwards' streak of opening day defeats continued as the Chiefs lost to the [[2008 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]] {{nowrap|17–10}}, a defeat mostly overshadowed by Patriots quarterback [[Tom Brady]] suffering a season-ending injury off a low hit by Chiefs safety [[Bernard Pollard]]. The team eventually skidded to a franchise record of 12 consecutive regular-season defeats. The Chiefs finally ended the streak after defeating the [[2008 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] 33–19 at home on September 28. However, they were defeated the following week at the [[2008 Carolina Panthers season|Carolina Panthers]]. During that game, the Chiefs managed to gain only 127 total yards, which was their worst offensive performance in 22 years. In a game against the [[2008 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]] on November 9, Edwards opted to go for a 2-point conversion to win (rather than tie the game) after the Chiefs has scored a touchdown to bring the score to 20–19. The controversial decision backfired, as the two-point conversion attempt failed, resulting in another loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=281109024|title=Chiefs vs. Chargers – Game Recap|date=November 9, 2008 |publisher=ESPN|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202070415/http://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=281109024|archive-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref> He was fired January 23, 2009.

===ESPN===
Edwards was hired in 2009 to be an analyst for the network's ''[[NFL Live]]'' program.

===Arizona State===
[[File:Herm Edwards (48747538827).jpg|right|thumb|Edwards as [[Arizona State Sun Devils football|Arizona State Sun Devils]] head coach in 2019]]
On December 3, 2017, Edwards was named the head coach of the [[Arizona State Sun Devils football|Arizona State]] football team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonagura |first=Kyle |date=December 3, 2017 |title=ESPN's Herm Edwards hired as Arizona State coach |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21659559/arizona-state-sun-devils-hire-herm-edwards-coach |access-date=December 3, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> Edwards earned his first win with Arizona State on September 1, 2018, against the [[2018 UTSA Roadrunners football team|UTSA Roadrunners]]. He earned his first win against a ranked opponent on September 8, 2018, against the 15th-ranked [[2018 Michigan State Spartans football team|Michigan State Spartans]]. Arizona State finished with a 7–6 record in Edwards' [[2018 Arizona State Sun Devils football team|first season]].

The [[2019 Arizona State Sun Devils football team|2019 season]] began with Edwards choosing true freshman [[Jayden Daniels]] to quarterback the Sun Devils. Arizona State would start the season with a 3–0 record, including Edwards' second consecutive win over a ranked Michigan State Spartans team. The team finished 8–5 with a [[2019 Sun Bowl|Sun Bowl]] victory against the [[2019 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State Seminoles]].

On June 16, 2021, ASU confirmed that NCAA is investigating the football program over recruiting high school players during the COVID-19 dead period in 2020.<ref name="t272">{{cite web  | title=NCAA investigating ASU football over potential recruiting violations | website=Arizona Sports | date=2021-06-16 | url=https://arizonasports.com/ncaa/arizona-state-football/ncaa-investigating-asu-football-over-potential-recruiting-violations/2691323/ | access-date=2025-02-17}}</ref> Throughout the course of the [[2021 Arizona State Sun Devils football team|2021 season]], multiple assistant coaches were placed on administrative leave. After the 2021 season had ended, multiple coaches including [[Zak Hill]] and [[Antonio Pierce]] resigned.<ref name="i045">{{cite web | last=Anderson | first=Jake | title=Timeline: ASU football fallout amid investigation into recruiting violations | website=Arizona Sports | date=2022-02-03 | url=https://arizonasports.com/ncaa/arizona-state-football/timeline-asu-football-fallout-amid-investigation-into-recruiting-violations/2996966/ | access-date=2025-02-17}}</ref> 17 players including quarterback [[Jayden Daniels]], wide receiver [[Johnny Wilson (wide receiver)|Johnny Wilson]], and All-American linebacker [[Eric Gentry]], entered the transfer portal as a result of the investigation and [[Name, image and likeness|NIL]].<ref name="b522">{{cite web | last=Rice | first=Wills | title=A look at Arizona State football's transfer portal exodus | website=Arizona Sports | date=2022-05-20 | url=https://arizonasports.com/ncaa/arizona-state-football/look-at-arizona-state-footballs-transfer-portal-exodus/3127767/ | access-date=2025-02-17}}</ref> Despite the mass exodus, Edwards remained as head coach for the Sun Devils.  On September 18, 2022, Arizona State fired Edwards the day following a 30–21 loss to the [[2022 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team|Eastern Michigan Eagles]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gardner |first=Michelle |date=September 18, 2022 |title=Herm Edwards out as Arizona State Sun Devils football coach |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/asu/2022/09/18/herm-edwards-out-arizona-state-sun-devils-football-coach/10420580002/ |access-date=September 18, 2022 |work=[[Arizona Republic]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

While his tenure included some on-field successes, it was marred by significant controversy and violations of NCAA regulations.

==== NCAA violations and show-cause penalty ====
In 2021, reports surfaced about potential recruiting violations under Edwards' during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. The allegations included hosting recruits on campus during a dead period, which was a direct violation of NCAA rules established to ensure fairness and health safety during the pandemic. These infractions indicated a systemic disregard for NCAA regulations and a culture of non-compliance within the program.

Following a detailed investigation, the NCAA found substantial evidence of these violations, leading to significant penalties for Edwards and ASU. On May 11, 2023, the NCAA issued a show cause penalty against Edwards, severely impacting his career and reputation. The show cause order essentially prohibits any NCAA member school from hiring Edwards unless it can demonstrate to the NCAA Committee on Infractions why it should be allowed to do so despite his involvement in major violations. This penalty is among the most severe sanctions the NCAA can impose on an individual coach.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Salerno |first=Cameron |date=2024-04-24 |title=Former Arizona State coach Herm Edwards receives five-year show-cause penalty for NCAA recruiting violations |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/former-arizona-state-coach-herm-edwards-receives-five-year-show-cause-penalty-for-ncaa-recruiting-violations/ |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref>