After an NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions panel gave an eight-year show-cause punishment to former assistant coach Antonio Pierce on Thursday for his recutting violations at Arizona State, first-year athletic director Graham Rossini made it clear on Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo that he’d like to move on.
“We’re lucky to close the chapter on that particular moment,” Rossini said. “We’re eyes moving forward on this next exciting chapter we’re at, not only in football but all of our sports. There’s value in the lessons learned.”
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Pierce, alongside former quarterback Jayden Daniels’ mother, violated recruiting rules during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pierce was found to be the “ringleader” of the “entire unofficial visit scheme.”
“There’s a lot of protections that have been put into place here over the last couple years,” Rossini said. “We’ve got a tremendous compliance team that led us through this process and we’re ready to close that chapter and keep it in the past and learn from those moments and focus on everything coming at us.”
Arizona State gave itself a self-imposed bowl ban last year but it still faces four years of probation through April 14, 2028.
Rossini said he played no role in negotiating the settlement between ASU and the NCAA.
“It really wasn’t anybody here in athletics that was working on it,” Rossini said. “So thankfully I was promoted this summer, as coach Dillingham has been here the past couple years. They’ve asked us to direct our attention on growing and building momentum and activating the Valley, so thankfully we didn’t have to touch that process and really not spend a lot of time or attention worrying about it.”
Rossini confirmed there are no additional punishments or penalties facing ASU.
“We’re through with it,” Rossini said. “We’re closing that particular chapter and we’re excited for everything that’s coming at us next.”