Rob Ash Hired To Be Arkansas Football's Offensive Analyst

I'm not going to pretend I know exactly what an Offensive Analyst does. But Bret Bielema has named former Montana State head coach Rob Ash to do it for the Razorbacks.

According to the press release, Bielema says Ash, "will work with our staff in advanced preparation and also various projects with me." So there you have it. He will not be an active coach on the road recruiting, but will be a part of the staff doing prep work and "various projects," whatever that means. This is a new position as far as I can tell. Arkansas does not have a Defensive Analyst.

Here's more from the press release:

Ash, a 36-year veteran head coach, most recently served as head coach at Montana State University from 2007-15.

“We are very excited to add another quality coach with head coaching experience to our program,” Bielema said. “Rob will work with our staff in advanced preparation and also various projects with me. His background and experience within college football align him well with our program.”

With 246 career victories, Ash comes to Fayetteville as the all-time wins leader at all three of his head coaching stops: Montana State (2007-15), Drake University (1989-2006) and Juniata College (1980-89).

During his nine-year tenure at Montana State, he totaled 70 victories, three Big Sky championships and four Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoff berths. Ash is one of three coaches in Bobcat history to win three Big Sky titles and the only coach to lead the program to three consecutive crowns. He also was named FCS Coach of the Year in 2011.

From 1989-2006, Ash served as head coach at Drake. He recorded a 125-63-2 record in 18 seasons, including four Pioneer Football League championships.

Ash’s head coaching career began at Division III Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, in 1980. After recording a 4-5 record in his first season, he posted winning marks in six of the next eight campaigns, leaving Juniata with a 51-36-3 record.

Ash began his coaching career as offensive coordinator at his alma mater Cornell College of Iowa in 1975.

A three-year letter winner at quarterback for Cornell College from 1970-72, Ash earned Little All-America honors and CoSIDA Academic All-America first team honors as a senior in 1972.

A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Ash earned a master's degree in history from the University of Michigan in 1975 and also completed his master's in physical education at the University of Iowa in 1980.

ASH’S COACHING RESUME

2007-15 Head Coach Montana State University

1989-2006 Head Coach Drake University

1980-89 Head Coach Juniata College

1975-80 Assistant Coach Cornell College