BREAKING NEWS: Ray Anderson has resigned as AD of ASU

TEMPE, Ariz. — After years of Sun Devil fans calling for his job, Ray Anderson has finally resigned.

“Anderson, 69, said it simply is the right time for the move. He will remain at ASU as a professor of practice and senior advisor to help expand the well-respected sports law and business program in the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law,” Arizona State writes in a press release.

Ray Anderson resigns as Athletic Director of Arizona State

“It has been a privilege to serve as ASU’s athletic director for nearly a decade,” Anderson said. “We have entered an unprecedented era where the number and magnitude of changes in the college sports landscape are astounding. As I approach my seventh decade of life, these are not matters that my leadership would be able to corral during my tenure. Continuity of leadership will be needed, and I am choosing to step aside to let the university find that leader.”

Arizona State University President Michael Crow praised Anderson for his time at Arizona State.

“By prioritizing student success, raising unprecedented levels of resources, and evolving the Sun Devil brand, Ray Anderson has been one of the most impactful and longest-serving athletic directors in the history of Arizona State,” President Michael Crow said. “We respect his decision, and we appreciate his service to the university.”

Anderson’s troubled stint at ASU

Anderson has been the Athletic Director at Arizona State since 2014. He was one of the highest-paid Athletic Directors in college sports, making over $2 million a year.

His tenure with the Sun Devils will not be remembered fondly by many Arizona State fans. For one, Anderson was the one who decided to hire Herm Edwards. Prior to Anderson’s stint as an Athletic Director, he was an agent.

Anderson represented Edwards along with many other NFL coaches at the time. The hiring of Edwards back in 2017 by Anderson and Arizona State seemed, bizarre, at best. He’d been out of coaching for years, working as an ESPN analyst.

One can only assume that the two’s relationship prior to Anderson being named the AD at Arizona State was a huge factor in the hiring.

Well… the hiring didn’t turn out well. Edwards and Arizona State “parted ways” in 2022 after a disappointing home loss to Eastern Michigan. Edwards left the program in shambles behind NCAA violation allegations and ruined the coaching futures of many of his assistant coaches.

Now, the new head coach for Arizona State football Kenny Dillingham is paying the price. Anderson and the Arizona State administration self-imposed a bowl ban for the 2023 season. To make matters worse, Anderson and Edwards agreed to a roughly 50% buyout. That shelled out Edwards $4.4 million.

One would think that Edwards could’ve been fired for cause after NCAA violation allegations, but that’s not the approach Anderson took.

Looking forward for ASU

Arizona State’s future Athletic Director will have their hands full. The Sun Devils are moving to the Big 12 conference, and this brings uncharted waters to navigate.

Add on ASU’s need to expand and grow in the NIL space as well as the modern-era transfer portal, and there’s a lot on the table.

This will no doubt be an important hire that Arizona State University needs to get right.

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