Arizona St. leaning to Edwards

A person with direct knowledge of the plan has told the Associated Press that former NFL coach Herm Edwards is in line to become Arizona State’s next coach, pending approval of the university president.

The official spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity Wednesday night because the deal and official announcement are still being finalized.

Edwards became a surprise candidate to replace Todd Graham, who was fired after six seasons.

He appears to be in line to get the job, provided president Michael Crow signs off on the deal after returning from China this weekend. .

Edwards has not coached since 2008, when he was fired after a 2-14 season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He also coached the New York Jets from 2001-05 and has a 5474 record in the NFL.

He last coached at the college level in 1989, as a cornerbacks coach for San Jose State.

Oregon St. hires ex-Beavers QB

Jonathan Smith is returning to where he started.

Smith, Washington’s cooffensive coordinator, has been hired by Oregon State to be the Beavers’ head coach, the school formally announced Wednesday night.

Oregon State has been in the market for a new coach since Gary Andersen surprisingly stepped down in early October after a 1-5 start, with the victory coming over lowerdivision Portland State. Interim coach Corry Hall finished a 1-11 season.

Smith is a former Beavers quarterback who has been working as quarterbacks coach for coach Chris Petersen since 2012, starting at Boise State and following him to Washington in 2014.

Smith was a walk-on in Corvallis, playing for the Beavers from 1998-2001. He was on Oregon State’s 2000 team that went 11-1 and defeated Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl under coach Dennis Erickson.