Arizona State expected to hire Boise State's Zak Hill as offensive coordinator

Jeff Metcalfe | The Republic | azcentral.com

Boise State's Zak Hill is expected to be named Arizona State football offensive coordinator, according to sources familiar with the search to replace Rob Likens.

Hill is completing his fourth season as Boise State offensive coordinator. Before that, Hill was quarterback coach passing game coordinator at Eastern Washington (2009-15).

This season, No. 19 Boise State is 12-1 and averaging 36.8 points (No. 14 nationally). The Broncos are No. 13 in passing offense, No. 50 in rushing offense and No. 38 in total offense going into the Las Vegas Bowl against Washington on Dec. 21.

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ASU coach Herm Edwards announced after the Territorial Cup that he was replacing Likens and two other offensive assistants. The Sun Devils since have added Prentice Gill, previously an analyst at Oregon, to their staff. Gill is expected to coach wide receivers.

Early signing day for college football recruits is Wednesday. ASU (7-5) also resumes practice next week, preparing to play Florida State in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31.

Offensive line coach Dave Christensen and running backs coach Shaun Aguano are expected to share offensive coordinator duties during ASU's bowl game.

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Hill had success at Boise State with quarterback Brett Rypien, 2018 Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year. Also in 2018, Alexander Mattison was eighth nationally in rushing. The Broncos went 10-3 that season, finishing No. 20 in scoring offense (35.4 ppg) and No. 21 in total offense.

At Eastern Washington, Hill coached some of the top FCS quarterbacks including Walter Payton Award finalists Vernon Adams and Matt Nichols.

Hill first left Eastern Washington for Hawaii, to be offensive coordinator, in December 2015 but a month later was hired by Boise State.

At Boise State, Hill replaced Eli Drinkwitz, who left to become North Carolina State offensive coordinator then became head coach at Appalachian State and now Missouri.

Reach the reporter at jeff.metcalfe@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8053. Follow him on Twitter @jeffmetcalfe.

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