Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Wolves’ coaching shuffle continues
Four members from Arkansas State University’s 2018 football coaching staff — defensive coordinator Joe Cauthen, assistant head coach and cornerbacks coach Trooper Taylor, defensive line coach Brian Early, and running backs coach and special teams coordinator Norval McKenzie — have left Jonesboro in the past 48 hours for other jobs.
Seven total members of last season’s staff were either fired or have found work elsewhere since the Arizona Bowl on Dec. 29, leaving the Red Wolves in need of restocking 70 percent of their coaching staff and sending the program into a hiring frenzy since Monday morning.
“The fact that they all hit at the same time was shocking,” a source with knowledge of ASU’s coaching staff movement told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette on Tuesday. “It’s been a crazy 48 hours.”
four touchdown passes, and he led all players who caught five or more balls with an average of 16.6 yards per catch.
Pettway’s departure came one day after the first team meeting of the spring semester and continued a growing exodus under second-year Coach Chad Morris.
Jonathan Nance, the team’s top receiver in 2017, announced his transfer plans after making one catch in four games last year. He wound up at Missouri.
Pettway is the 10th known player to depart the program since late in the Razorbacks’ 2-10 season. That list features cornerback Ryan Pulley, who declared early for the NFL Draft; quarterback Cole Kelley; defensive backs Chevin Calloway, Nate Dalton and Derrick Munson; running back Maleek Williams; receiver Jarrod Barnes; defensive end Alexy Jean-Baptiste; and tight end Austin Cantrell, who is starting his professional career outside of football. Additionally, quarterback Ty Storey has his name in the NCAA transfer portal with the intention of finishing his senior year at another school.
Another 15 players had departed the team in the previous 13 months, including Nance, tight end Will Gragg, receivers Maleek Barkley and Kofi Boating, tight end Jack Kraus, kicker Cole Hedlund and other players who retired from football for medical reasons or grade concerns, such as receiver Brandon Martin.
Morris, speaking Monday to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette before Pettway’s intentions were announced, said he wasn’t expecting further departures before the start of spring drills. He also said the number of players leaving the program is not a great concern.
“No. I think when you look at the changes across college football, it’s probably pretty standard,” he said.
The Razorbacks begin winter workouts today and start spring practice Feb. 26.