Arkansas State University

Sean Coughlin enters his second season as the Red Wolves’ offensive line coach and run game coordinator in 2020.

His first season at A-State saw the Red Wolves compile an 8-5 record, including a 34-26 victory over Florida International in the Camellia Bowl.
 
Arkansas State put up impressive numbers behind Coughlin’s offensive line, ranking No. 10 in the country in passing offense (312.1 ypg), No. 14 in team passing efficiency (157.55), No. 26 in scoring offense (33.7 ppg) and No. 33 in both total offense (439.3 ypg) and red zone offense (.889).
 
The Red Wolves posted 5,711 yards total offense for the sixth most in school history, while their 6.2 yards-per-play average tied the second best mark ever by an A-State team.  The squad completed the year with top-10 marks in program history in 12 different statistical categories, including most points (438, 7th) and most touchdowns (54, 6th).
 
The Red Wolves’ offensive line in 2019 featured four All-Sun Belt Conference selections, including third-team picks Jarrett Horst and Jacob Still and honorable-mention choices Andre Harris Jr. and Ivory Scott.  The Red Wolves excelled behind an offensive line that featured four new starters in 2019.
 
Horst received the Gary Withrow Award, presented annually to A-State’s outstanding offensive lineman of the year, and has been tabbed to the 2020 Outland Trophy Watch List.  Harris been named to the 2020 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List as well.
 
Now with 19 years of collegiate coaching experience to his credit, Coughlin cames to Arkansas State after spending the previous 13 seasons at Missouri State.  He was elevated to associate head coach for the 2018 campaign and served as the Bears’ co-offensive coordinator since 2016.
 
Coughlin also oversaw the offensive line since 2008 after previously serving as tight ends and fullbacks coach his first two years with the program.  During his tenure, Coughlin’s linemen earned Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) Offensive Lineman of the Week honors 14 times, with 13 all-conference selections and five NFL players.
 
In 2010, standout lineman David Arkin earned consensus All-America and second-team Academic All-America honors before being picked by Dallas in the 2011 NFL Draft. Former Bears Jake Duron and Riley Shantz also inked free agent contracts during Coughlin's tenure.
 
Coughlin also mentored Clay Harbor, a consensus All-American tight end and NFL Draft pick to the Eagles in 2010, as well as Randy Richards, an AP and AFCA All-America selection. Richards enjoyed NFL stints with the Chargers and Buccaneers before catching on in the CFL with Saskatchewan and Calgary.
 
The 2001 Drake University graduate was a standout offensive lineman from his playing days. A three-time All-Pioneer Conference offensive guard at Drake, he was a first-team all-conference choice from 1998-2000 and earned All-America honors from Football Gazette his final two seasons. He was team captain in 2000.
 
Coughlin coached three sea-sons at his alma mater, working the 2001 and 2002 seasons as assistant offensive line coach and tight ends coach for the Bulldogs while mentoring two all-conference first team linemen.
 
He joined the Iowa State offensive staff in 2004 and spent two seasons there while pursuing his master’s in higher education (2006).
 
The Kildeer, Ill., native earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Drake in 2001.  He and his wife, Haley, have daughters Natalia and Maddie.