Arkansas State head football coach Butch Jones has announced that assistant coach Griff McCarley has been elevated to defensive coordinator.
McCarley joined the A-State staff ahead of the 2024 season as linebackers coach. Under his direction, linebackers Marvin Ham, Charles Willekes and Justin Parks were the leading tacklers for the Red Wolves. Each of the trio accounted for 90-plus tackles and five or more tackles for loss while forcing eight turnovers. Ham was tabbed Third Team All-Sun Belt Conference, while Parks was an Honorable Mentions selection.
A-State completed its 2024 season with eight wins, tied for the fourth most in a single season since joining the Sun Belt Conference. Including a 38-31 victory against Bowling Green in the 68 Ventures Bowl, the Red Wolves earned eight or more wins for the eighth time in the FBS era.
“We exercised our due diligence while conducting a national search to fill our defensive coordinator position, talking to a number of qualified coaches at all levels,” said Jones. “Sometimes, the best person for the job is right in your building, and we put Coach McCarley through as extensive of an interview as anyone throughout this process. His positive impact on our players and staff has been evident, and the way I look at it, he has been interviewing for an entire year.
I know what he can do and the great energy, connection and expertise he brings to our defense, as well as how he has been groomed in this profession. He is a fantastic fit and we’re excited to announce him as our defensive coordinator.”
McCarley came to A-State after spending the 2023 season as an analyst in charge of linebackers for Ole Miss, but his path to Jonesboro also included stops at Northern Iowa, Kansas State, Troy and West Alabama.
“I am excited about this new role and the opportunity to continue working with our players and outstanding staff to build on the success of our A-State football program,” said McCarley. “Jonesboro is a great place, and my family and I are happy to be here. I’m thankful to Coach Jones and look forward to the upcoming 2025 season.”
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.
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 with the Trojans improving 63 spots nationally in scoring defense from 2019 to 2020 and 38 spots in total defense.
McCarley played linebacker collegiately at North Alabama, winning a pair of Gulf South Conference titles. He began his coaching career as a student assistant at his alma mater West Alabama, helping coach the linebackers and defensive line.
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, and a son, Bennett.
