JONESBORO, Ark. (2/28/24) – Arkansas State head football coach Butch Jones announced Wednesday that Griffin McCarley has been named the Red Wolves' linebackers coach.
McCarley comes to A-State after most recently spending the 2023 season as an analyst for Ole Miss, but his path to Jonesboro also included stops at Northern Iowa, Kansas State, Troy and West Alabama.
"We're excited to add Coach Griffin to our coaching staff," said Jones. "He has gained valuable experience with multiple programs that have enjoyed success and is familiar with the Sun Belt Conference. Griffin is an individual with a strong defensive background and knowledge of the game and he will bring great energy, connection and expertise to our defense while working with our linebackers. We want to welcome him, his wife Allison and their daughter, Kennedy, to our Red Wolves family."
During the 2023 campaign with Ole Miss, McCarley oversaw the inside linebackers. He assisted in the implementation of a new defensive scheme under defensive coordinator Pete Golding and helped Ole Miss to a program-best 11 wins, including a Peach Bowl victory over Penn State.
"I am fired up to join Coach Jones and his staff here at Arkansas State," said McCarley. "I have always had great respect for Coach Jones and what he has been able to accomplished in this profession, and what Arkansas State has achieved as a program. I am thankful of Coach Jones and Jeff Purinton for the opportunity, and looking forward to helping contribute to Red Wolves Football."
The Haleyville, Ala., native went to Ole Miss after spending the 2022 season as linebackers coach at Northern Iowa. Under his direction, linebackers Spencer Cuvelier and Korby Sander earned All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) recognition. Cuvelier and Sander each ranked inside the top 15 nationally in tackles.
Prior to his time at Northern Iowa, McCarley helped Kansas State's defense in 2021 trim 12.2 points per game off its average from the previous season. The Wildcats' mark of 21.0 points allowed per game was their best mark since 2003 and ranked 23rd nationally. Additionally, Kansas State surrendered its fewest yards allowed per game since 2009 (344.7), while its 129.5 rushing yards allowed per game was its best effort in four years.
Owning experience in the Sun Belt Conference, McCarley spent three years at Troy working with the Trojans' inside and outside linebackers. With his assistance, Troy's defense posted one of the best turnarounds in the nation in 2020 with the Trojans improving 63 spots nationally in scoring defense from 2019 to 2020 and 38 spots in total defense.
McCarley began his coaching career as a student assistant at his alma mater West Alabama, helping coach the linebackers and defensive line. He also played linebacker collegiately at North Alabama, winning a pair of Gulf South Conference titles. McCarley graduated with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus in sport management/physical education in 2018. He is married to the former Allison Pursifull and the couple has a daughter, Kennedy.
