**NCAA Slaps Antonio Pierce with Eight-Year Show-Cause Order for Recruiting Violations**

The NCAA has imposed an eight-year show-cause order on Antonio Pierce, former assistant coach at Arizona State University (ASU), for orchestrating a scheme to circumvent recruiting restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The violations include taking a prospect's parents to a gentlemen's club and other impermissible recruiting contacts. The sanctions, announced on Thursday, will last until October 2, 2032.

The NCAA's findings revealed that Pierce, along with other football staffers and a booster, facilitated unofficial campus visits for approximately a year during the COVID dead period. These visits involved impermissible tryouts, tours of football facilities, and entertainment for 35 prospects and their families. Among the more egregious infractions were Pierce personally arranging or providing free meals, apparel, airfare, and lodging for 27 prospects.

A notable incident involved taking a prospect's parents to a gentlemen's club, which constituted an impermissible recruiting inducement. Regina Jackson, a former booster and the mother of Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, is mentioned multiple times in the NCAA's 67-page report for her role in facilitating these violations. The report details how Jackson helped organize the unauthorized campus visits and other infractions, including the gentlemen's club outing.

The NCAA's investigation also discovered that Pierce provided false or misleading information during their probe and refused to submit financial records. Additionally, he allegedly leveraged his position of authority to pressure staff members into committing violations, instilling fear of job loss if they did not comply.

Pierce has since moved up the coaching ranks with the Las Vegas Raiders. After resigning from ASU before the 2022 season, he joined the Raiders as a linebackers coach. He served as the interim head coach midway through the last NFL season and secured the permanent head coaching position in January. Despite this promotion, the Raiders have had a challenging start to the season, with a 2-2 record and ongoing headlines about star wide receiver Davante Adams potentially leaving the team.