The state of Arizona promoted Antonio Pierce to the position of defensive coordinator, while Marvin Lewis will remain on the team as special assistant to coach Herm Edwards.
Pierce, a former Pro Bowl linebacker with the New York Giants, served as co-defense coordinator and linebacker coach alongside Lewis last season. He is also a recruiting coordinator for the State of Arizona and an associate principal trainer, and has been instrumental in increasing staff recruitment under Edwards.
Lewis, the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals from 2003 to 2018, was recently interviewed for head coach positions at the New York Jets, Detroit Lions and Houston Texans, and interviewed for the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys a year ago. He joined the Arizona State team in 2019 as a special adviser to Edwards, before becoming defensive coordinator last fall. The state of Arizona played only four games in 2020, but led the Pac-12 with the fewest points allowed (23.2 ppg) and managed 13 takeaways.
“I am looking forward to this new challenge and opportunity to be the defensive coordinator in the state of Arizona,” said Pierce in a statement. “I learned a lot from Coach Lewis and Coach Edwards during my time here and I can’t wait to apply that knowledge to this new role. We are excited about the group that we are returning to and can’t wait to continue bringing talented Sun Devils.”
Pierce played nine years in the NFL for the Giants and the Washington Football Team, and helped lead New York to Super Bowl XLII victory over the New England Patriots. Before joining the ASU team, he was a head coach in the California powerhouse Long Beach Poly High.