The two-time Super Bowl champion will bring experience and respect to the WR group
Arizona State football is set to hire Hines Ward as the programs next wide receiver coach, according to ESPN college football writer Pete Thamel, who reported the hire via X (formerly Twitter).
While no contracts have been released as of yet, Ward, who visited ASU practice earlier in the week, has verbally agreed to continue his coaching career in Tempe. The former NFL receiver spent 14 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers where he won Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII. He retired in 2012 with a Hall of Fame worthy resume, which includes Super Bowl XL MVP, Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame, Steelers Ring of Honor Steelers All-Time Team, four-time Pro Bowler and three-time Second-Team All-Pro on top of his 1,000 receptions, 85 touchdowns and 12,083 receiving yards.
Ward began his coaching career back in Pittsburgh as an offensive intern with the Steelers In 2017. He then took the role of offensive assistant with the New York Jets from 2019-2020 before becoming Florida Atlantic’s wide receiver coach in 2021.
In 2023, Ward left the NFL to become head coach of the United Football leagues’ San Antonio Brahmas. The Brahmas went 3-7 and missed the playoffs under Ward, who resigned after the season due to contract changes.
Now in Tempe, Ward brings grit and old school ball to the Sun Devils receivers. Coach Dillingham harped that the next hire will be someone who the players will automatically respect who can bring experience from the next level. Ward excelled in exploiting soft spots in the secondary and is regarded as one of the best blocking receivers to grace the league.
The Sun Devils receiving core is arguably the strongest positional group on the team, with Elijhah Badger, Xavier Guillory, Melquan Stovall and Troy Omeire returning. Former Colorado Buffalo receiver Jordyn Tyson, who missed the 2023 season with injury, is also set for success in Dillingham’s offense.