ASU promotes Napier to associate head coach, retains offensive staff

New Arizona State head coach Herm Edwards will retain the offensive coaching staff left behind by the fired Todd Graham, the school announced Tuesday.

ASU did not release updates regarding the status of its defensive coaching staff led by defensive coordinator Phil Bennett.

On the offensive side, the only change for the Sun Devils is the promotion of offensive coordinator Billy Napier, who will take on the title of associate head coach and offensive coordinator. Napier is currently finishing out his first year as ASU’s coach following a stint as Alabama’s wide receivers coach.

“Billy’s experiences while working on some of the top coaching staffs in college football will be invaluable as we move Sun Devil Football forward,” Edwards said in a press release.

Prior to working at Alabama, Napier was assistant head coach at Colorado State in 2012 and offensive analyst at Alabama in 2011. From 2003-10, he worked his way from graduate assistant to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Clemson.

Along with Napier, the school retains assistant head coach and running backs coach John Simon, receivers coach Rob Liken and offensive line coach Rob Sale.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to work with Coach Herm Edwards as the associate head coach and offensive coordinator,” Napier said in a release. “The leadership challenge ahead is one I look forward to, especially considering the character of the young men on our roster. We’re going to work diligently to elevate this program. My wife Ali and I have enjoyed raising our children in the Valley and I consider it a privilege to go to work every day at Arizona State University. Go Devils!”

Under Napier and the returning staff last season, the Sun Devils were rated the 14th highest graded offense, per Pro Football Focus, and finished first in red zone efficiency by scoring in 95.8 percent of their trips there.

Follow @AZSports