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Does Arkansas State football need more time to grow?

By Michael Hanich

Sep 18, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves linebacker Jeffmario Brown (28) celebrates with linebacker Jaden Harris (11), safety Jarius Reimonenq (6) and defensive lineman Terry Hampton (97) after intercepting a pass against the Washington Huskies during the third quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Seattle, Washington, USA; Arkansas State Red Wolves linebacker Jeffmario Brown (28) celebrates with linebacker Jaden Harris (11), safety Jarius Reimonenq (6) and defensive lineman Terry Hampton (97) after intercepting a pass against the Washington Huskies during the third quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a rough start for head coach Butch Jones with Arkansas State football in 2021, the team shows that it’s on the right, but slow, path to rebuilding.

For nine seasons, Arkansas State football one of the most efficient and dangerous teams in the Sun Belt. The Red Wolves had accumulated an overall record of 75-41 (56-15 in Sun Belt play) from 2011-2019.

Since then, the Red Wolves have been at the bottom of the barrel in a Sun Belt Conference that has gotten more dangerous as a non-Power Five league. The program was shifting towards regression of players leaving for other programs. Head coach Blake Anderson knew it was time to move on when he left to become the Utah State Aggies head coach.

Fans of the Red Wolves hoped they would have a quick turnaround from a 2020 season with new head coach Butch Jones. Instead, the Red Wolves were unbalanced on the offensive side of the ball, and their defense was atrocious. Arkansas State finished last season with an overall record of 2-10 (1-7 in Sun Belt play). It was their worst record since 2001, their first season in the Sun Belt.

The good news for the Red Wolves is that they have some key starters returning on both sides of the ball from last season. They will also have some key transfers that will impact their team.

With the Sun Belt Conference continuing to improve and the Red Wolves still looking for momentum as a team, it will be a while for them to get to their conference championship-winning ways.

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