"Undercover agent for Arizona" "Free Coach Pierce": Fans refuse to give up on Antonio Pierce amid NCAA's 8-year show cause for alleged violations

NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Baltimore Ravens - Source: Imagn
NFL: Las Vegas Raiders at Baltimore Ravens | Picture credit: Imagn

Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce was penalized by the NCAA for recruiting violations during his stint with Arizona State. He has received an eight-year show cause penalty for unethical recruiting activities during the COVID-19 pandemic dead period.

The eight-year show cause penalty means that if Pierce decides to return to college football, he will receive a suspension from 100% of the athletic activities during his first season with the program. But the penalty does not affect him in any way till the time he continues being a coach in the NFL.

After Pierce was penalized by the NCAA, fans took to social media to share their thoughts and perspectives on the subject. One fan joked that Pierce was an undercover agent for the Arizona Wildcats while being a part of the Sun Devils:

"Undercover agent for Arizona."

Another fan supported Pierce, saying:

"He was trying to win. Free Coach Pierce."

One fan had a realistic take on the situation surrounding Pierce's alleged recruiting violations, writing:

"Means nothing to him he is in the NFL never going back to college ever. But him and @HermEdwards left the young coaches in the ocean with no paddle to fend for themselves."

Another fan pointed out:

"News flash... If you yanked the band aid of college recruiting, especially now with the portal/NIL, you would find a whole lot of s**t like this. Tip of the ice berg."

One fan made a bold prediction about Pierce's future after his stint with the Raiders:

"Damn! When he gets fired after the season he's gonna have to go back to high school."

According to the NCAA, the recruiting violations involving Pierce at Arizona State included giving out free meals, apparel, lodging for prospects and payment of travel expenses, all considered unethical recruiting practices. Pierce joined the Sun Devils in 2018 and spent four seasons with them before joining the Las Vegas Raiders as the LB coach in 2022.


Jayden Daniels' mother involved in Antonio Pierce Arizona State recruitment violations

Former Heisman winner Jayden Daniels spent three seasons with the Sun Devils before joining LSU in 2022. And during this time, his mother Regina Jackson was a booster for Arizona State.

According to the report by the NCAA, Daniels' mother had helped set up prohibited campus visits for recruits, which were against the ethics of recruitment. She would allegedly book flights and lodgings for prospects with her credit card, after which Pierce would reimburse her with cash. So far, the Raiders have not made any comments on the current situation concerning Pierce.

Arizona State Sun Devils Fan? Check out the latest Sun Devils depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.

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Edited by Piyush Bisht
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