Harsin keeping Thompson at ASU

Arkansas State defensive coordinator John Thompson, who will serve as the Red Wolves’ interim coach for the GoDaddy.com Bowl on Jan. 6, will remain at the school after being retained by new Coach Bryan Harsin.
Arkansas State defensive coordinator John Thompson, who will serve as the Red Wolves’ interim coach for the GoDaddy.com Bowl on Jan. 6, will remain at the school after being retained by new Coach Bryan Harsin.

— Arkansas State defensive coordinator John Thompson will be sticking around Jonesboro after serving as interim coach against Kent State in the GoDaddy.com Bowl on Jan. 6.

New ASU Coach Bryan Harsin announced he would retain Thompson in the same role as part of his nine-member coaching staff after being hired Dec. 12 to replace Gus Malzahn.

“I am excited to be working with one of the top defensive coordinators in the country,” Harsin said through a university news release. “He has done an outstanding job with our defense, and this will be an opportunity to continue what he’s already accomplished in molding a championship-caliber defense.”

Thompson inherited a defense in his first season at ASU that lost seven starters and was gashed early by then-No. 4 Oregon and then-No.16 Nebraska, but the group rebounded to finish third in the Sun Belt Conference. ASU allowed an average of 385.6 yards per game, and its average of 25.4 points allowed per game was the lowest in the league.

The Red Wolves did not allow an opponent to rush for more than 100 yards over the final five games. Middle Tennessee managed 89 yards on 29 carries - the highest total ASU allowed during that span - in a 45-0 loss that allowed ASU to wrap up its second consecutive Sun Belt title.

Thompson also coached the Red Wolves’ linebackers. That unit was led by senior Nathan Herrold, who finished third in the Sun Belt with 109 tackles and 10 for loss.

Thompson will work alongside Blake Baker, who also was hired Thursday as a defensive assistant coach. His specific duties haven’t been announced.

Baker spent the past three seasons as a graduate assistant at Texas, where Harsin served as co-offensive coordinator in 2011 and 2012. Baker worked with linebackers and defensive backs on a Texas defense that ranked 11th nationally in total defense during 2011.

“Not only is he a quality control coach with a great knowledge of the game, but he’s also had the opportunity to work under two great defensive coordinators in Will Muschamp and Manny Diaz,” Harsin said.

Prior to serving on the Longhorns staff, Baker was a wide receivers coach at Clear Springs High School in Houston. He also was a three-year starter at Tulane (2000-2004).

Sports, Pages 26 on 12/22/2012

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