Arkansas State fires offensive coordinator

Published Dec. 16, 2009 8:22 p.m. ET

foxsports

Arkansas State offensive coordinator Doug Ruse has been fired after the Red Wolves struggled to a 4-8 season.

The school announced Thursday that Steve Roberts will return as head coach and oversee the hiring of a new offensive coordinator. Roberts called Ruse an ``outstanding football coach'' but said the program decided to go in a different direction.

Arkansas State was expected to contend for the Sun Belt Conference title behind quarterback Corey Leonard and running back Reggie Arnold, but the Red Wolves weren't a factor in the league race. By the end of the season, Leonard had lost his starting job.

Roberts, who took Arkansas State to the New Orleans Bowl in 2005, has been the team's coach for eight seasons.