Lashlee Retains Offensive Coordinator Duties for ASU in GoDaddy.com Bowl
JONESBORO, Ark. — Arkansas State Interim Head Football Coach John Thompson announced Friday that Rhett Lashlee, named offensive coordinator at Auburn today after holding down the same position at A-State during its 2012 run to a Sun Belt Conference championship, will continue his coaching duties with the Red Wolves all the way through their appearance in the GoDaddy.com Bowl on Jan. 6.
With today’s announcement, the Red Wolves will have the services of both their 2012 defensive and offensive coordinators for not only their bowl game, but the practices and other preparation leading up to it. Defensive coordinator John Thompson was named ASU’s interim head coach on Wednesday.
“I made our players aware last night that Coach Lashlee will be a part of our coaching staff for our practices and bowl game, and they were extremely excited as you would expect,” said Thompson. “I am thrilled that Coach Lashlee will be our offensive coordinator for the bowl game, and I know he has embraced this opportunity. At this point, our offensive and defensive staffs remain in tact.
“This team is looking forward to starting practices Wednesday and couldn’t be more ready to go to the bowl game representing our University, community and fan base.”
A-State’s full bowl-game practice schedule will be announced in the near future, and all practices will be open to the public for the entire workout.
Lashlee helped direct an offensive unit that ranks 17th in the nation in total offense, 21st in rushing offense, 13th in passing efficiency, 21st in scoring offense, and 41st in passing offense for the 9-3 Red Wolves. The Red Wolves are averaging a school-record 481.8 yards per game and have scored at least 30 points in 10 games, the most in school history.
ASU, which is receiving votes in both major top-25 polls and is listed No. 37 in the latest BCS rankings, has posted over 400 yards total offense in eight games and at least 500 in seven contests. The Red Wolves are averaging 6.5 yards per play, the highest in school history, and have proved to be one of the most explosive offenses in the country with Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year Ryan Aplin taking the snaps.
ASU will play No. 25 Kent State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. in an ESPN-televised game. Fans are strongly encouraged to purchase GoDaddy.com Bowl tickets only through the ASU Ticket Office to directly support the Red Wolves and to ensure they receive priority seating within the designated A-State area.
Bowl tickets are only $45 per ticket when purchased through the ASU Ticket Office. Fans can go to AStateRedWolves.com to order tickets, and the ASU Ticket Office, located at the Convocation Center's lower red entrance, is taking walk-up and telephone (870-972-ASU1 or 888-278-3267) orders.
