Arizona State football: Herm Edwards' contract extended two years

There were a lot of skeptics when Herm Edwards was named Arizona State football coach in December of 2017. But Edwards has proved the doubters wrong, leading the Sun Devils to back-to-back bowl appearances.

He isn't going anywhere soon. The school has extended Edwards' contract for another two years, which will keep him in Tempe through 2024. The two-year extension will be subject to approval by the Arizona Board of Regents. Terms of the contract will be released in advance of board's meeting.

Edwards' original contract was for five years. With two expired, the additional two seasons puts him back up to a five-year run.

“We are pleased to announce this two-year contract extension for Head Football Coach Herm Edwards,” Athletic Director Ray Anderson said in a press release. “Dr. Michael Crow (ASU President) and I are extremely encouraged with the overall direction of the football program under Coach Edwards and his staff. They have built a foundation that is recruiting at unprecedented levels and we must ensure the continuation of that effort. This five-year commitment to Coach Edwards will demonstrate to prospective student-athletes and their parents the long-term commitment the University has toward his valued leadership."

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The Sun Devils were 7-6 in Edwards' inaugural campaign. ASU went 7-5 in the regular season, finishing second in the Pac-12 South behind Utah after being predicted to finish last. Among the highlights was a win over perennial power USC at the Los Angeles Coliseum, where opponents rarely win.

The Sun Devils went on to play in the Las Vegas Bowl, where they lost to Fresno State.

ASU improved in the record column this season to 8-5, capped off by a 20-14 victory over Florida State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl last month. The Sun Devils defeated three nationally ranked teams in 2019, most notably Oregon, which was ranked sixth at the time and still in the mix for a college football playoff berth.

“It is an honor for myself and my family to serve as Head Football Coach at Arizona State University,” Edwards said in the same press release. “We have accomplished a lot in our first two years in Tempe and we look forward to continuing that momentum in all facets of our program. Recruiting is the lifeblood of winning college football games and we are pleased with where we are and we look forward to continued improvement.”

The higher win total in 2019 came even though the Sun Devils played 33 true or red-shirt freshmen the past season, with that group led by quarterback Jayden Daniels and starting linemen Dohnovan West and LaDarius Henderson.

The Sun Devils also retained the Territorial Cup with wins over rival Arizona the last two seasons.

ASU had unprecedented success on the recruiting path the past season with 18 commits, 16 of whom have signed. That group includes nine players who have earned a four-star ranking by at least one of the major recruiting services. The Sun Devils have four, four-star wide receivers and two, four-star running backs coming in, marking the best class the Sun Devils have ever landed in each of those positions.

MORE: Arizona State football surges in recruiting rankings with latest commitments

ASU's class is ranked 24th nationally by both 247Sports and Rivals. It is fourth in the Pac-12 according to 247Sports and third by Rivals.

Monday marked a new live period where Edwards and his assistants are out recruiting for the classes of 2021 and 2022.

Reach the reporter at Michelle.Gardner@Gannett.com or 602 444-4783. Follow her on Twitter @MGardnerSports.

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