JONESBORO, Ark. (12/26/25) – Arkansas State head coach
Butch Jones has named Vanderbilt quarterbacks coach
Garrett Altman as the Red Wolves offensive coordinator.
Altman has spent the last two seasons with the Commodores as the quarterbacks coach alongside offensive coordinator Tim Beck. Before his stint at Vanderbilt, Altman was an offensive analyst for two seasons at New Mexico State (2022-23) and a graduate assistant for four seasons (2018-21) at TCU. He was an offensive lineman at TCU from 2013-17.
"We are very excited to welcome Garrett, his wife Kelcy, and daughter Kollins into the A-State Football family," said Jones. "Coach Altman brings valuable experience from an efficient, dynamic offense that creates unique challenges for opponents. Garrett's ability to connect with players, teach the game, develop quarterbacks, and build a creative, flexible system will help elevate our program even further.
Altman worked with Heisman Trophy runner-up and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm winner Diego Pavia, who has accounted for a school-record 4,018 yards of total offense and 36 touchdowns this season. A second-team All-America choice by the Associated Press, Pavia has thrown for 3,192 yards and 27 scores – both school records – while rushing for a team-high 826 yards and nine touchdowns. The signal-caller helped the Commodores lead all FBS programs in points per play and rank second among Power 4 schools in points per drive. The team's 39.4 points per game rank the unit No. 1 in ESPN's FPI ratings.
In his first season as quarterbacks coach, Altman helped Pavia become one of college football's breakout stars. He helped the Commodores to their first winning season and bowl victory in over a decade. Pavia was chosen the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2025 and the SEC Newcomer of the Year in 2024.
Altman joined the staff at Vanderbilt after two seasons as an offensive analyst at New Mexico State, where he also mentored Pavia and assisted Beck in two seasons with the Aggies. In 2023, NMSU won 10 games for the first time since 1960 behind Pavia, the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year. The Aggies ranked among the top 25 in FBS in passing touchdowns (14th), points (18th), passing yards per attempt (21st) and passing efficiency (25th). The 2022 campaign resulted in New Mexico State averaging 44.75 points per game over the final four games to earn bowl eligibility.
Prior to New Mexico State, Altman was a graduate assistant at his alma mater, TCU. The Brenham, Texas native played for the Horned Frogs from 2013-17, appearing in 25 career games as an offensive lineman. He was a two-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree during his time in Fort Worth and part of teams that won three bowl games – 2014 Peach Bowl, 2015 Alamo Bowl, 2017 Alamo Bowl.
The Altman File
Hometown: Brenham, Texas
High School: Brenham
College: TCU (2017)
Family: Wife, Kelcy; Daughter, Kollins
Playing Experience
2013-17 | TCU (offensive line)
Coaching Career
2018 | TCU - Graduate Assistant
2019 | TCU - Graduate Assistant
2020 | TCU - Graduate Assistant
2021 | TCU - Graduate Assistant
2022 | New Mexico State - Offensive Analyst
2023 | New Mexico State - Offensive Analyst
2024 | Vanderbilt - Quarterbacks Coach
2025 | Vanderbilt – Quarterbacks Coach
Postseason Experience
2014 | TCU - Peach Bowl Champions (player)
2015 | TCU - Alamo Bowl Champions (player)
2016 | TCU - Liberty Bowl (player)
2017 | TCU - Big 12 Championship Game (player)
2017 | TCU - Alamo Bowl Champions (player)
2018 | TCU - Cheez-It Bowl Champions
2022 | New Mexico State - Quick Lane Bowl Champions
2023 | New Mexico State - CUSA Championship Game
2023 | New Mexico State - New Mexico Bowl
2024 | Vanderbilt - Birmingham Bowl Champions
2025 | Vanderbilt – ReliaQuest Bowl
