ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL
Reports: ASU football puts assistants Prentice Gill, Chris Hawkins on paid leave
Aug 9, 2021, 8:26 AM
Head coach Herm Edwards of the Arizona State Sun Devils during the NCAAF game against the USC Trojans at Sun Devil Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. The Trojans defeated the Sun Devils 31-26. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Arizona State Sun Devils football program has placed receivers coach Prentice Gill and defensive backs coach Chris Hawkins on paid administrative leave as of Monday due to the NCAA’s ongoing investigation over potential recruiting violations, according to multiple reports.
SunDevilSource.com reports that Gill and Hawkins were present Saturday during the team’s last practice but aren’t expected on the field or in meetings this coming week.
The website adds that graduate assistant Bobby Wade, who went to Desert Vista High School and played for the rival Arizona Wildcats, will take over coaching receivers. Offensive analyst Trey Anderson will help coach quarterbacks as offensive coordinator Zak Hill helps coach receivers as well.
Consultant Donnie Henderson, who has extensive experience leading defensive backs in the NFL and college, will help cover Hawkins’ duties leading the secondary.
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Yahoo! Sports’ Pete Thamel was first to report the two latest coaches placed on paid administrative leave.
Gill and Hawkins follow tight ends coach Adam Breneman on paid leave related to the NCAA’s investigation that includes allegations that Arizona State brought recruits to campus for visits during a dead period caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both of Gill and Hawkins are considered young stars known for being talented recruiters. Hawkins was ranked as a top-four recruiter among Pac-12 assistants for the 2021 and 2022 recruiting classes based on total commits and 247 Sports’ composite rankings.
