McCarty steps down as SAU head football coach

The Southern Arkansas University Athletic Department announced that Mike McCarty has resigned from his post as head football coach of the Mulerider football program.

"We would like to thank Coach McCarty for his time as the leader of our football program for the past year and a half," stated SAU Director of Athletics Steve Browning. "I wish him, and his family, nothing but the best moving forward."

A national search will now begin for the next head coach of the Mulerider Football program. Information pertaining to the search in addition to the official job posting is forthcoming. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Director of Athletics Steve Browning at (870) 235-4132.

McCarthy had served as interim head coach/offensive coordinator following the retirement of Bill Keopple. Once the interim tag was removed, it was the longtime collegiate assistant first time serving as head coach.

Prior to coming to SAU, McCarty spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons at Division II Colorado State-Pueblo where he served as the ThunderWolves' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. During his time in Pueblo, CSU-Pueblo posted an overall record of 22-4 with an 18-2 mark in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) play, captured the 2018 RMAC Championship and made consecutive trips to the NCAA Division II playoffs. In those two seasons with McCarty leading the offense, the ThunderWolves averaged 33.8 points per game and over 380 yards of total offense.

McCarty spent time at the University of Central Arkansas (2014-16), where he coached running backs and served as the program's recruiting coordinator, and at Arkansas State University (2004-07) where he instructed the Red Wolves' wide receivers. In 2005, ASU won the Sun Belt Conference Championship and competed in the New Orleans Bowl.

This season, the Muleriders finished 4-7 overall and in the GAC, which included a 73-37 season-ending loss to Arkansas-Monticello.

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