It didn't take long for the ASU football team to find a replacement for departing quarterbacks coach Mark Helfrich, who went to Colorado as the new offensive coordinator.
Then again, why would it when a team brings back two of the top quarterbacks in the nation?
The Sun Devils on Friday announced the hiring of Roy Wittke as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Wittke served in the same capacity with Arkansas last season and will now take the reins of one of the Pac-10's most lethal offenses.
"I am thrilled to have a chance to work with an outstanding coaching staff at Arizona State University," Wittke said. "I am especially excited to work with one of the most well-respected offensive minds in the country in Dirk Koetter... I cannot wait to get started."
Wittke inherits a unit that ranked third in the nation in passing in 2005 with 373.4 yards per game. Both Sam Keller and Rudy Carpenter return after combining for more than 4,400 yards passing and 37 touchdowns last season.
Koetter said he spoke with several candidates for the job, including ex-ASU quarterback Danny White. However, "the timing just wasn't right" for White to assume the duties. He is currently the head coach of the Utah Blaze of the Arena Football League.
In other coaching changes, ASU secondary coach Mark Carrier has left to become the secondary coach for the Baltimore Ravens. Carrier had coached the Sun Devils defensive backs for the past two seasons.
Koetter has also hired Charles Ragle and Josh Brown to become graduate assistants, filling the vacancies left by Rob Snelling and Scott Huff. Snelling left to become offensive coordinator at Butte Junior College, and Huff joins Boise State as its tight ends coach.
Reach the reporter at kyle.odegard@asu.edu.
