Is Deion Sanders a top candidate to be next ASU HC?

Jackson State head football coach Deion Sanders. Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

Is Deion Sanders a top candidate for ASU head-coaching job?

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 9/19/22

An interim coaching plan hasn't been revealed to the public yet, but there appears to be a long list of candidates to replace Herm Edwards at Arizona State -- and Deion Sanders looks to be one of them.

The NFL Hall of Famer and current Jackson State coach has been mentioned as a strong candidate to take the job as ASU looks to rebound from difficulties on and off the field.

Does ASU reach out to Deion Sanders?
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) September 18, 2022

I’m going to bring up a name that can save ASU football immediately. That can recruit AZ and the entire country. A name that will light a fire under Tempe. That name is @DeionSanders Bring PRIME to Arizona State. You heard it here first.
— Kerry Taylor (@KerryTaylor15) September 19, 2022

In case you missed it, reports broke on Sunday that Edwards was relieved of his coaching duties -- with speculation as to whether he got his notice as he was walking off the field following Saturday's 30-21 loss to Eastern Michigan.

Herm Edwards was met by the ASU President and AD on the way off the field last night.

I’ve heard of getting tarmac’d but I think Herm is the first coach I’ve seen to get end zone’d… pic.twitter.com/GLQXU5XC9F
— Jon Tweets Sports (@jontweetssports) September 19, 2022

Of course, this isn't the first gig Sanders has been connected to since taking up at Jackson State and making the program successful. Heck, he was suggested to take over at Auburn just this weekend, and Bryan Harsin still has a job there.

While Sanders hasn't officially been named as a coaching candidate at Arizona, he would certainly fit the bill. Athletic director Ray Anderson likes adding NFL talent to his staff -- hence the Edwards hire five years ago. And he has the big personality that the Sun Devils need as they transition into a different era.

However, it's fair to wonder if the red flags at ASU are going to drive Sanders and other coaching prospects away. The program is still being investigated by the NCAA for recruiting violations that took place on Edwards' watch, and the impact of that investigation still remains to be seen. One thing that makes Sanders an appealing candidate is that he's very good at recruiting, but who knows if he would be able to recruit as he has at JSU if Arizona gets slapped with restrictions following the investigation.

In short, we don't know yet if Sanders is a serious candidate for the ASU job. But with the current season already underway, we will probably get an answer to that sooner rather than later.

According to CBS Sports, other well-known candidates for ASU's head coaching job include Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule, ESPN analyst Dan Mullen, and even Harsin since his days at Auburn appear to be numbered.

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