ASU has placed tight ends coach Adam Breneman on paid administrative leave, a University spokesperson confirmed to The State Press Monday, following reports he was potentially involved in the team's alleged recruiting violations.
The spokesperson couldn't expand on the nature of the leave due to University policy. On Sunday, Yahoo! Sports reported that Breneman was placed on leave by the University on July 16.
The Atheltic first reported on the NCAA investigating the program's potential recruiting violations on June 16, which detailed the program reportedly hosting high school recruits on campus during the NCAA's COVID-19 recruiting dead period in July 2020. During the dead period, recruits were not allowed to be on campus with coaches or any team personnel.
A week later, Yahoo! Sports reported Breneman was allegedly involved in the violations. His alleged involvement included paying nearly $600 to provide a flight for a recruit to visit and tour ASU during the dead period.
Breneman was a graduate assistant at the time of the alleged incident and was eventually promoted to tight ends coach on Jan. 14.
Wide receivers coach Prentice Gill and defensive backs coach Chris Hawkins are two other coaches alleged of helping arrange travel for recruits during this period, according to Yahoo! Sports. Both Gill and Hawkins play prominent roles on ASU's recruiting staff, headed by recruiting coordinator Antonio Pierce.
Yahoo! Sports reported a total of 10 individual staff members associated with ASU are mentioned in a dossier provided to NCAA and ASU officials. The documents include various pictures and screenshots, which allegedly expose the University to other potential recruiting violations.
Head coach Herm Edwards still hasn't commented on the matter but will likely address the investigation at Pac-12 football media day Tuesday in Los Angeles. ASU athletic director Ray Anderson, quarterback Jayden Daniels and cornerback Chase Lucas will also appear at the event.
Reach the reporter at ltochter@asu.edu and follow @Leo_Toch on Twitter.
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