Seven months after being fired from the program at which he won more games than any coach before him, Rob Ash is back on his feet.
On Thursday, Arkansas head football coach Bret Bielema announced the winniest coach in Montana State history is joining his staff as the program’s offensive analyst, the school announced in a press release. Ash, a head coach since 1980, led the Bobcats to 70 wins and three Big Sky Conference championships between 2007 and 2015.
Former MSU head coach Rob Ash
“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.”
Ash was fired just days after a 54-35 loss to the rival Grizzlies of Montana, his seventh loss to UM in nine seasons at the helm for MSU. The loss in Bozeman to the Griz sealed Montana State’s first losing season since 2001. Ash compiled a 70-38 record at MSU, including 50-23 against the rest of Big Sky, winning titles in 2010, 2011 and 2012. He also was named FCS Coach of the Year in 2011.
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).
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.
Former MSU head coach Rob Ash
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.
Photos by Brooks Nuanez. All Rights Reserved.
This story will be updated shortly. (5:50 pm 6/2)
