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Arkansas State Football: Red Wolves should control Sun Belt again

By Justin Dottavio

MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 13: Head coach Blake Anderson of the Arkansas State Red Wolves calls a play during a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Sunlife Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 13: Head coach Blake Anderson of the Arkansas State Red Wolves calls a play during a game against the Miami Hurricanes at Sunlife Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Arkansas State football won the Sun Belt five of the last seven seasons. Can they do it again this year? What is in store for the Red Wolves in 2018?

The Arkansas State Red Wolves have had an interesting history in the world of college football. The Red Wolves have won the Sun Belt championship five of the last seven seasons and look to return to the top of the conference in 2018. The leader of the Red Wolves football program is Blake Anderson. Anderson returned head coaching stability to the ASU program after a string of one-and-done coaches from 2011-2013.

After Steve Roberts left the college world for high school administration, the Red Wolves hired Hugh Freeze to be their head coach. Freeze finished 10-2 in 2011 and took the Ole Miss job. He was followed by Guz Malzahn who finished 9-3 in 2012 and left for the Auburn head coach position. In 2013, ASU hired Bryan Harsin who finished only 7-5 and left for the Boise State job after Chris Petersen left for Washington.

That made way for Blake Anderson to take over the program. Anderson came to ASU by way of UNC Chapel Hill where he served as the offensive coordinator for the Tar Heels. Anderson was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas and played collegiately for Baylor and Sam Houston State. Like many coaches he cut his teeth as a graduate assistant before an extensive assistant coaching career.

Anderson has brought stability to Jonesboro as he’s heading into his fifth year in charge of the Red Wolves while also compiling a 31-20 record including two Sun Belt titles of his own and appearances in four straight bowl games. Anderson even had the Red Wolves climb up to 24th overall in the S&P+ rankings in 2017, despite a 7-5 record. Scheduling has also been a major part of ASU’s rise as they’ve played Tennessee, Miami, and now Alabama is on the slate in 2018.

The Red Wolves have high expectations for 2018 and they’re created by Mr. Anderson’s stability and coaching chops that make ASU a formidable force in the Sun Belt.

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