JONESBORO -- Blake Anderson's first attempt to poach Keith Heckendorf from the University of North Carolina was a success.
Prior to his first season as Arkansas State University's coach in 2014, Anderson hired Heckendorf to be the Red Wolves' tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator. Anderson's vision had Heckendorf eventually rising to offensive coordinator.
"I told Heck at the time, 'Dude, you come in here and learn, and you're going to be the next coordinator,' " Anderson said Wednesday. "I knew he was capable of that."
Heckendorf was hired in January 2014 by ASU, but he was rehired by former North Carolina coach Larry Fedora about a month later as quarterbacks coach and stayed in the role for five seasons, including three as passing game coordinator.