SafeX Pro Exchange|Arizona State self-imposes bowl ban this season for alleged recruiting violations

The SafeX Pro ExchangeArizona State football program has self-imposed a bowl ban for the 2023 season, which begins this week.

That type of penalty often is taken by schools under NCAA investigation in an attempt to lessen the sanctions that end up coming later. The program has been under investigation for more than three years for alleged recruiting violations that occurred in 2020 when Herm Edwards was head coach. Among those were having recruits on campus during what was supposed to be a dead period due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The school parted ways with Edwards three games into the 2022 season after an embarrassing loss to Eastern Michigan. Instead of firing Edwards for cause the school gave him a $4.4 million buyout.

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Arizona State could have imposed the ban last year but chose not to do so. The Sun Devils finished 3-9 overall and 2-7 in Pac-12 play. Implementing the ban this year penalizes a new coaching staff, led by Kenny Dillingham, and numerous players who were not at the school when the alleged violations occurred.

"Arizona State University has informed the NCAA and Pac-12 conference that it will self-impose a one-year postseason ban on its football program for the upcoming season," Arizona State athletic director Ray Anderson said in a statement. "In light of the ongoing investigation and our membership obligation to maintain the confidentiality of the matter, we will not be commenting further at this time."

Arizona State opens its season at home Thursday against Southern Utah.