Arkansas State University head coach Blake Anderson announced Friday the firing of defensive coordinator David Duggan and defensive pass-game coordinator Ed Pinkham.
The firings came less than 24 hours after the Red Wolves gave up 52 points to Georgia State in a 59-52 win Thursday in Jonesboro.
Duggan was in just his second season as the ASU defensive coordinator. Last season, Arkansas State finished 114th in total defense. This season, through five games, ASU's defense ranks 70th out of 76 teams, allowing 483.4 total yards per game defensively.
“These kind of decisions are never easy when there are relationships, lives and families impacted,” Anderson said. “David Duggan is a close friend of mine, and I have a lot of respect for Ed Pinkham — they are both great coaches, and their backgrounds and histories speak to that. ...
“However, I am responsible for putting a staff together and trying to create the best environment to maximize our players’ abilities. This was my decision, and as I discussed with our Vice Chancellor [for Intercollegiate Athletics] Terry Mohajir, I believe a change is necessary for us to move forward, turn a corner defensively and get the results we want."
Anderson also announced that safeties coach Nick Paremski will take over as the interim defensive coordinator.