The coach who was traded like a player for a draft pick
In short: In a move as unusual as his famous 'Hermisms,' the NFL saw a head coach exchanged for a fourth-round selection. Herm Edwards' career was a rollercoaster of legendary defensive plays, championship appearances, and a controversial recruiting scandal that led to a massive NCAA penalty.
Herman Montmartre Edwards' football legacy is anchored by a singular moment of defensive brilliance: the 1978 'Miracle at the Meadowlands.' Playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, Edwards recovered a Giants fumble and returned it for a touchdown in the final seconds, securing a 19–17 victory. This play was so impactful it led to the implementation of the 'victory formation' in Philadelphia, a tactic known as the 'Herman Edwards play.'
As a head coach, Edwards experienced both the heights of the NFL and the depths of professional instability. Leading the New York Jets from 2001 to 2008, he secured a division title in 2002. However, his tenure ended in a transaction rarely seen in professional sports: the Jets traded Edwards to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2006 NFL draft. His time in Kansas City was similarly turbulent, marked by a 12-game regular-season losing streak and the decision to bench a highly efficient backup, Damon Huard, in favor of an injured Trent Green.
The final chapter of his coaching career at Arizona State (2018–2022) was overshadowed by systemic NCAA violations. An investigation revealed that Edwards participated in recruiting at least 30 prospects during the COVID-19 'dead period,' even meeting recruits at a rental house in Paradise Valley. In April 2024, the NCAA imposed a five-year show-cause penalty on Edwards, effective until 2029. This severe sanction effectively blackballs him from the collegiate ranks, as any school hiring him would face significant scrutiny and potential suspension.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Herm Edwards
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