Arkansas State Taps Garrett Altman as New Offensive Coordinator
Arkansas State head coach Butch Jones has named Vanderbilt quarterbacks coach Garrett Altman as the Red Wolves’ new offensive coordinator.
Altman spent the past two seasons at Vanderbilt, working alongside offensive coordinator Tim Beck and helping guide one of the most productive offenses in the Football Bowl Subdivision. During his time with the Commodores, Altman coached quarterback Diego Pavia, a Heisman Trophy runner-up and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner.
“We are very excited to welcome Garrett, his wife Kelcy, and daughter Kollins into the A-State football family,” Jones said in a statement. “Coach Altman brings valuable experience from an efficient, dynamic offense that creates unique challenges for opponents. His ability to connect with players, teach the game, develop quarterbacks and build a creative, flexible system will help elevate our program.”
Under Altman’s guidance, Pavia accounted for a school-record 4,018 yards of total offense and 36 touchdowns this season. He threw for 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns — both Vanderbilt single-season records — while adding 826 rushing yards and nine scores. Pavia was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press and helped lead Vanderbilt to the top spot nationally in points per play and second among Power 4 programs in points per drive. The Commodores averaged 39.4 points per game, ranking No. 1 in ESPN’s Football Power Index offensive ratings.
In Altman’s first season as quarterbacks coach, Vanderbilt posted its first winning season and bowl victory in more than a decade. Pavia was named SEC Newcomer of the Year in 2024 and SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2025.
Before joining Vanderbilt, Altman spent two seasons as an offensive analyst at New Mexico State, where he also worked closely with Pavia and Beck. The Aggies posted a 10-win season in 2023, their first since 1960, and reached the Conference USA championship game. That offense ranked among the top 25 nationally in passing touchdowns, scoring offense, passing efficiency and passing yards per attempt. New Mexico State also earned bowl eligibility in 2022 after averaging nearly 45 points per game over its final four contests.
Altman began his coaching career at TCU, serving as a graduate assistant from 2018 through 2021. A native of Brenham, Texas, he played offensive line for the Horned Frogs from 2013 to 2017, appearing in 25 career games. He was a two-time Academic All-Big 12 selection and part of three bowl championship teams, including the 2014 Peach Bowl and two Alamo Bowl victories.
Altman brings postseason experience both as a player and coach, having participated in multiple bowl games and conference championship appearances at TCU, New Mexico State and Vanderbilt.