Arizona State defends timing on announcement of football program's bowl ban

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona State announced a self-imposed bowl ban over the weekend for alleged infractions under previous football coach Herm Edwards.

The school defended the ban on Tuesday after taking criticism for the timing of the decision.

The Sun Devils issued a statement highlighting five factors that went into the decision to announce the ban on Sunday, saying it would “help pave the way for program stability and greater clarity going forward.”

The statement noted the similarities between Arizona State's case and that of Tennessee, which was wrapped up by the NCAA Committee on Infractions on July 14.

The NCAA committee imposed an enhanced financial penalty of $8 million on Tennessee in lieu of a postseason ban. It also required multiple recruiting penalties, including a loss of 28 scholarships and a 40-week reduction of unofficial visits.

Arizona State said it believed recruiting penalties like those imposed on Tennessee would seriously impair first-year coach Kenny Dillingham's ability to rebuild the program.

The school also noted the deadline for undergraduate student-athletes to enter the transfer portal was in April 2023, which would have precluded football players from leaving the program in the summer or fall.

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