Report: Pierce expected to be 5th Arizona State coach to leave program

The exodus at Arizona State continues with defensive coordinator Antonio Pierce expected to become the fifth coach to leave the program amid an NCAA investigation, ESPN's Pete Thamel reports.

Pierce, a former New York Giants standout, will reportedly pursue coaching opportunities in the NFL following his resignation. His reported exit comes just a few days after offensive coordinator Zak Hill departed the program.

Hill left Tempe after the firing of assistants Prentice Hill and Chris Hawkins and the resignation of Adam Breneman last week. Arizona State placed all three on administrative leave before the 2021 season due to an NCAA investigation into the program hosting recruits during a mandated dead period.

Five assistants are now gone, but head coach Herm Edwards remains with the Pac-12 program while the investigation remains active.