Arizona State football coach Herm Edwards has prided himself on being able to adapt, overcome adversity and play the cards that are dealt. He is having to do that once again, navigating his team through uncharted territory, an entire season canceled, at least for now, due to the health and safety concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Today the Pac-12 following the lead of other conferences, most notably the  Big Ten, which did so hours earlier. Thanks to the multitude of social media platforms, the news was out before Edwards got to meet with his players but he and Athletic Director Ray Anderson were there to answer any questions and concerns they had.

“The players were well aware of the temperature in the air. With all the social media outlets to grab on to. I told them the best way to figure this out is I’ll tell you everything I know,” Edwards said. “They were well aware of the decision that was made. Were they disappointed? Yeah, we were all disappointed but they also realize our leadership has done a great job of creating a bubble for them to participate in some sort of football norm. But there was another step that needed to take place before we could play football.”

Edwards, 66, has had an illustrious career as both a player and a coach and can’t remember dealing with anything of such magnitude.  The only thing that comes remotely close was the Sept. 11 tragedies in 2001, which occurred while he was was head coach of the New York Jets.

“It was after our first game. It was close to home. As a team going into that week, we took a vote about playing and we were actually going to forfeit. But we had to play,” he recalled. “So I dealt with something somewhat similar, but nothing of this magnitude.”

Medical professionals, along with college administrators and football personnel don’t think it is safe to proceed with sports given the magnitude of the global health pandemic and the fact that half of the Pac-12’s teams are in the hard-hit states of Arizona and California.

From the day Edwards arrived in Tempe he has always stressed that life is about dealing with adversity and and your character will evolve with how you learn to deal with such setbacks. That message was delivered once again.

“I was their age a long time ago so I get it. They’re disappointed. But I think they know we have their best interest at heart and that will never change,” he said. “When you’re dealt adversity, it’s about how you respond.”

Expectations were  indeed loftier than they have been in several years. With Edwards entering his third year, the foundation had been set. Assistant coaches were all of his choosing and the balance of the roster were players he and his staff had recruited.

The Sun Devils were coming off an 8-5 season that included a Sun Bowl victory, the school’s first postseason win in five years. Preseason publications had ASU pegged as the most serious contender to South Division favorite USC.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels was coming off a stellar freshman campaign and virtually the entire defense was back as well.

Now it will be wait and see if the pandemic can subside enough for the Pac-12 to play in the the new year.

The ever-prepared Edwards has said he has already thought about adjustments he’d have to make were his team to have to play two seasons in a calendar year.

“That’s an NFL schedule,” he conceded.

In the meantime, all are keeping the setback in perspective.

“No one said life is fair. You don’t always get to bat in the clean-up spot in the lineup,” Anderson said. “This is something that has impacted the world, impacted a lot of folk in a lot of different ways. Their experience is being impacted as well. It’s about do you respond and we will provide leadership, a culture, an environment that will allow them to learn but to get through this thing in a positive way.”

“At the same time, this is devastating for these student-athletes. At the same time you tell them the reality of it is, if this is the toughest thing you have to go through, then you’re really pretty lucky.”

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602 444-4783.  Follow her on Twitter @MGardnerSports.

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