Tempe, Ariz.--Sun Devil Football linebackers coach Antonio Pierce has been named the program's Recruiting Director in addition to his role with the linebackers, as announced by head coachHerm Edwardson Thursday.
Pierce, who spent the previous four seasons as the head coach of the Long Beach Poly High School football program following a nine-year career in the NFL, is in his first season as the linebackers coach for the Sun Devil Football program.
Under Pierce's tutelage, the Sun Devils saw two freshmen linebackers start in the season opener against UTSA (Merlin RobertsonandDarien Butler) and his linebacking corps combined for 17 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss in the contest.
"Antonio has earned this promotion and we are very fortunate to have him as a member of the Sun Devil staff," says Edwards. "He is one of the most dynamic recruiters in the nation and we are excited about our future together."
Pierce posted a 31-13 record at Long Beach Poly, a school with numerous Sun Devil connections, including JoJo Wicker - an All-Pac-12 selection this season and three-year starter for the Sun Devils.
"I am happy to announce thatAntonio Piercewill join our football staff as our linebackers coach," Edwards said earlier this year upon hiring Pierce. "Antonio has not only competed at the highest level of football as a linebacker himself in the NFL for nearly a decade, but he has also coached at the highest level of high school football in his time at Long Beach Poly. He will be a valuable addition to our staff and someone we expect to immediately have an impact on our program."
While leading the way at Long Beach Poly, Pierce's student-athletes earned 54 total scholarships to continue their education – 24 of whom did so at the Division I level. Other Sun Devils that have come to Tempe through the high school include Salamo Fiso, Mark Washington, Saute Sapolu, Leonard Russell, Onosai Tu'ua and Kendall Williams. The Long Beach Poly program has produced over 60 NFL players throughout the years - more than any other high school in the nation - while winning a record 19 CIF Championships.
Pierce took over at Long Beach Poly in 2014, where he became the school's first outside hire since 1971 as the program underwent an overhaul. He eventually would lead the Jackrabbits to the 2017 CIF Southern Section quarterfinals where they fell to eventual champion Mater Dei.
Pierce immediately instilled a sense of discipline in his players from the moment he arrived and put an emphasis on academics, raising the minimum GPA required for a student to be eligible for his football team and emphasized preparing his players to be professionals in life beyond high school.
During his nine-year NFL career, Pierce played 137 regular season games (and seven playoff games) with the Washington Redskins (2001-04) and New York Giants (2005-09). Pierce captained the Giants' defense for five seasons, including 2007 when he helped anchor the championship team that upset the previously undefeated New England Patriots for a victory in Super Bowl XLII. He was also named to the Pro Bowl that season.
Signed by the Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2001, Pierce finished his career with 687 tackles, nine sacks and seven interceptions.
A native of Long Beach, Calif., Pierce played college football at the University of Arizona. As a senior, he had three sacks, 77 tackles (10 for losses), two forced fumbles, one interception, and one blocked kick for the Wildcats. Prior to Arizona, Pierce attended Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif.
Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Pierce was the spokesperson for the Giants Academy inner city youth program in 2006, and he works with a number of not-for-profit organizations, including YMCA, DARE, Cystic Fibrosis, My Sisters Place, ASC Football Camp, City Meals on Wheels and Make a Wish Foundation. Pierce received the United Way's Man of the Year award in 2007 and was honored by Minority Athletes Networking Inc (M.A.N) as its 2008 'MAN of the Year,' for his excellence in the community. In 2011, Pierce was named to the California Community College Athletics Association's Hall of Fame.
In 2005, Pierce hosted his first annual free football camp for youth in his hometown of Compton, Calif., where it continued for seven years.
In 2006, Pierce started 'Antonio's A-List' at Giants Academy, the Giants charter academic program located in the Louise A. Spencer School in Newark, N.J. 'Antonio's A-List' is a motivational incentive program that rewarded Giants Academy Students that reached certain academic standards each semester and for the entire school year. Pierce visited the school, and accompanied the kids on service trips and preparing meals for the community.
During Antonio's NFL career he played for Marty Schottenheimer, Marvin Lewis, Steve Spurrier, George Edwards, Greg Williams, Joe Gibbs, Steve Spagnuolo and Tom Coughlin.
Pierce, who spent the previous four seasons as the head coach of the Long Beach Poly High School football program following a nine-year career in the NFL, is in his first season as the linebackers coach for the Sun Devil Football program.
Under Pierce's tutelage, the Sun Devils saw two freshmen linebackers start in the season opener against UTSA (Merlin RobertsonandDarien Butler) and his linebacking corps combined for 17 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss in the contest.
"Antonio has earned this promotion and we are very fortunate to have him as a member of the Sun Devil staff," says Edwards. "He is one of the most dynamic recruiters in the nation and we are excited about our future together."
Pierce posted a 31-13 record at Long Beach Poly, a school with numerous Sun Devil connections, including JoJo Wicker - an All-Pac-12 selection this season and three-year starter for the Sun Devils.
"I am happy to announce thatAntonio Piercewill join our football staff as our linebackers coach," Edwards said earlier this year upon hiring Pierce. "Antonio has not only competed at the highest level of football as a linebacker himself in the NFL for nearly a decade, but he has also coached at the highest level of high school football in his time at Long Beach Poly. He will be a valuable addition to our staff and someone we expect to immediately have an impact on our program."
While leading the way at Long Beach Poly, Pierce's student-athletes earned 54 total scholarships to continue their education – 24 of whom did so at the Division I level. Other Sun Devils that have come to Tempe through the high school include Salamo Fiso, Mark Washington, Saute Sapolu, Leonard Russell, Onosai Tu'ua and Kendall Williams. The Long Beach Poly program has produced over 60 NFL players throughout the years - more than any other high school in the nation - while winning a record 19 CIF Championships.
Pierce took over at Long Beach Poly in 2014, where he became the school's first outside hire since 1971 as the program underwent an overhaul. He eventually would lead the Jackrabbits to the 2017 CIF Southern Section quarterfinals where they fell to eventual champion Mater Dei.
Pierce immediately instilled a sense of discipline in his players from the moment he arrived and put an emphasis on academics, raising the minimum GPA required for a student to be eligible for his football team and emphasized preparing his players to be professionals in life beyond high school.
During his nine-year NFL career, Pierce played 137 regular season games (and seven playoff games) with the Washington Redskins (2001-04) and New York Giants (2005-09). Pierce captained the Giants' defense for five seasons, including 2007 when he helped anchor the championship team that upset the previously undefeated New England Patriots for a victory in Super Bowl XLII. He was also named to the Pro Bowl that season.
Signed by the Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2001, Pierce finished his career with 687 tackles, nine sacks and seven interceptions.
A native of Long Beach, Calif., Pierce played college football at the University of Arizona. As a senior, he had three sacks, 77 tackles (10 for losses), two forced fumbles, one interception, and one blocked kick for the Wildcats. Prior to Arizona, Pierce attended Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif.
Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Pierce was the spokesperson for the Giants Academy inner city youth program in 2006, and he works with a number of not-for-profit organizations, including YMCA, DARE, Cystic Fibrosis, My Sisters Place, ASC Football Camp, City Meals on Wheels and Make a Wish Foundation. Pierce received the United Way's Man of the Year award in 2007 and was honored by Minority Athletes Networking Inc (M.A.N) as its 2008 'MAN of the Year,' for his excellence in the community. In 2011, Pierce was named to the California Community College Athletics Association's Hall of Fame.
In 2005, Pierce hosted his first annual free football camp for youth in his hometown of Compton, Calif., where it continued for seven years.
In 2006, Pierce started 'Antonio's A-List' at Giants Academy, the Giants charter academic program located in the Louise A. Spencer School in Newark, N.J. 'Antonio's A-List' is a motivational incentive program that rewarded Giants Academy Students that reached certain academic standards each semester and for the entire school year. Pierce visited the school, and accompanied the kids on service trips and preparing meals for the community.
During Antonio's NFL career he played for Marty Schottenheimer, Marvin Lewis, Steve Spurrier, George Edwards, Greg Williams, Joe Gibbs, Steve Spagnuolo and Tom Coughlin.
