Bryan Harsin, the 37-year-old Arkansas State football coach, is set to begin his second term at Boise State University. Harsin of Boise, Idaho, played for the Broncos and served as their assistant coach for a decade.
Thrilled with being appointed as the next head football coach, Harsin said he hopes to build on the success of Broncos.
"We're coming home," Harsin said in a statement. "[Harsin's wife] Kes and I are thrilled about returning to Boise State, it's a special place built by special people. One of the hardest decisions we ever made was leaving Boise. We did that so I could become a better coach, so I could one day have the opportunity to return as head coach - that day has arrived."
With the departure of Harsin, ASU will resume search for a new coach. Meanwhile, John Thompson, defensive co-ordinator, has been named the interim head coach. The university has seen a new coach for four consecutive years.
Terry Mohajir, Arkansas State athletic director, thanked Harsin for his valuable coaching inputs to the team, Arkansas Online reports.
"We appreciate everything Coach Harsin did for Arkansas State during his time as head football coach," Mohajir said. "We wish him and his family only the best in their future."
Red Wolves' fans were surprised and disappointed with Harsin's departure. They thought that he would have a prolonged tenure at Arizona State.
"It's hurtful," Destinee Bradley, freshman and an ASU fan, told Kait8. "It's gonna hurt losing another coach again, but at the same time, they're gonna use it as their motivation to strive even harder. We always come back ten times stronger when we lose a coach so I feel this time won't be any different."
Another ASU fan, sophomore Thad Lybrand said that they are now used to seeing a new coach every year. For them, it would actually be a shocker if a coach "stuck around for more than a year."
"I'm all about winning. If they can find a coach year in and year out that'll win, I'm sticking with it. I know a couple of football players personally and, as long as they're winning, they're happy. So as long as they're happy, I'm happy," Lybrand said.
Both fans agreed that Harsin's successor not only needs to have a magic wand but also needs to serve in the position for a longer period of time.
"I'm hoping they can find somebody that'll last more than a year," Lybrand said.
