ASU Football: Sun Devils tab Rob Likens as new WR coach

The Arizona State Sun Devils announced Rob Likens as their new wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator on Tuesday, per a release.

Likens will replace Jay Norvell, who vacated both roles with ASU after accepting a head coaching job with Nevada earlier this month.

Likens holds 25 years of coaching experience, with his most recent stop coming as a the offensive coordinator at Kansas, where he was a member David Beaty’s staff since 2015. Prior to joining Kansas, he served as an outside receivers coach and passing game coordinator at California from 2013-14. Likens also has previous stops at Louisiana Tech and Temple, and played at Mississippi State from 1985-87.

The job reunites Likens and offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Chip Lindsey, whom Likens served as a position coach for at North Alabama in 1993.

“Rob has an unmatched passion and enthusiasm for coaching and mentoring young men that is unparalleled,” Lindsey said in the release. “His track record in developing receivers in very impressive. We have collaborated over the years on many occasions.”

Likens said he’s been eyeing ASU since he was at Cal.

“It’s an elite program with great people, brand new facilities and its all part of a world-class university,” he said. “I will have the opportunity to work with Chip, whom I believe is one of the brightest young offensive coaches in the nation. When I met with coach Graham and heard his vision for the program and especially the development of young men I was completely on board.”

Likens will inherit a receiver corp losing two of its top three contributors in Tim White and Frederick Gammage, however will be highlighted by N’Keal Harry, who broke the program’s freshman record for receptions in a single season with 58 in 2016.

PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE

2015-2016, Kansas (Offensive Coord.)
2014, Cal (Asst. HC/Passing Coord./Outside Receivers)
2013, Cal (Asst. HC/Outside Receivers)
2010-12, Louisiana Tech (Asst. HC/WR)
2006-09, Central Connecticut State (OC/QB)
2004-05, S.E. Missouri State (OC/QB/WR)
1998-2003, Temple (WR)
1993-97, North Alabama (WR)
1992, North Alabama (RB)