Steve Roberts is back at home in Arkansas, and he couldn’t be happier.

The 37-year-old Roberts was hired as Arkansas State’s 26th head football coach. A native of Little Rock, Roberts’ family and a host of friends around the state were on hand for the announcement by new Arkansas State athletics director Paul Griffin.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to be at Arkansas State," Roberts said. "I am looking forward to working with Paul Griffin and the people at ASU and hoping to fulfill the vision we all share to help the football program to grow, not only on and off the field, but in the classroom.

"It feels good to come home to Arkansas. My wife and I are both from Arkansas and our daughter was born in Arkansas. It’s really special to be able to come back to your home to do a job you love. I feel very fortunate."

Roberts led Northwestern (La.) State University to an 8-4 record and a national ranking in Division I-AA in 2001. He spent the last two seasons at NSU, where his team took on a tough schedule and had some big wins, including a 27-24 overtime upset at TCU. While at NSU Roberts was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach-of-the-Year Award.

"We are very proud to have Steve Roberts as the head football coach at Arkansas State," Griffin said. "We wanted to identify an individual with integrity, great character, and the energy and head-coaching experience to take a football program and turn it into a successful one. Steve Roberts has these credentials.

"Also, equally important, Steve knows Arkansas. He went to school and coached in the state of Arkansas. His family lives in Arkansas and he is known in the state’s sports community. He is a good fit for our university and our community."

Roberts took his team to the NCAA I-AA playoffs last year where it lost, 28-19, to No.1-ranked Montana. The Demons produced 11 All-Southland Conference picks, and his team was nationally ranked in several offensive, defensive and special teams categories. His first team in 2000 finished with a 6-5 record.

"Paul Griffin has moved quickly and successfully to identify a head coach who has experience in that capacity," said Dr. Les Wyatt, ASU president. "I am pleased that he has found a quality individual who brings many assets to Arkansas State, including familiarity with his native state of Arkansas."

Before going to NSU, Roberts served as the head coach and defensive coordinator at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia from 1994-99. Roberts graduated from Robinson High School in Little Rock. A 1987 graduate of Ouachita Baptist University, Roberts received his masters from SAU in 1989.

Seven of the Roberts’ nine staff members join him from Northwestern (La.) State, including Kevin Corless, who will serve as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach; co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Jack Curtis; Tate Behne as tight ends coach; offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Doug Ruse; offensive line coach Darren Hiller; wide receivers coach Dante’ Wright; and defensive line coach Kevin Peoples.

Four quarterbacks entered spring practice trying to become the 2002 starter -- sophomore Josh Driscoll (6-2, 212), sophomore Elliott Jacobs (6-2, 218), sophomore Bryan Gauthreaux (6-0, 188) and junior Mike Clark (6-1, 208).

At the close of the spring, Roberts still wasn’t ready to name a starter.

"When it happens, it happens," he told the Jonesboro Sun.

Driscoll and Jacobs moved ahead of others in the pack. They split time as starters last season and took turns impressing the coaching staff during the spring.

Jacobs threw for 586 yards and five touchdowns last year while Driscoll passed for 517 yards and four touchdowns before suffering a shoulder injury.

Driscoll missed the final five games of the 2001 season after breaking his collarbone against North Texas. Jacobs ended last season leading the team in passing yards and touchdown passes and was third in rushing.

Gauthreaux started the final two games in 2001, and Clark opted for a red-shirt season.

Senior Tommy Miller (6-4, 209) was unable to go through full contact as he continued to recover from knee surgery. He is a former walk-on who played well before his injury.

Roberts was especially pleased with senior running back Danny Smith (5-9, 171), a medical red-shirt from last year who shined throughout spring drills.

"There’s no doubt we’re very grateful he has another year to play football," Roberts told the Jonesboro Sun. "We think he can really help our football team."

"There are a lot of running backs who are his size who have played a number of years in college football and even at the next level. I guess one of the things that helps him be more durable is he is a tremendous competitor in the weight room. He is very, very strong for his size."

Sophomore Jerome Stegall (6-0, 203) also made plays after moving from receiver to running back, but there is still a chance he might return to receiver.

"I can’t say it’s permanent," Stegall told the Jonesboro paper. "It’s not set in stone, but I’m just going to go out and work hard wherever I will be."

Whether Stegall remains at receiver may depend on newcomers, especially one of his former Wynne (Ark.) teammates. Antonio Warren (5-11, 185), a heralded 2001 recruit who sat out last fall, is expected to be available. Warren ran for 1,853 yards and 23 touchdowns as a Wynne senior.

The starter at fullback will be senior Shane Tolleson (5-11, 237), a converted linebacker. Red-shirt freshman Beau Shrable (6-0, 240) and sophomore Andre Covington (5-10, 236) are the backups.

The key player at wide receiver is senior James Hickenbotham (5-10, 176), who endured double teams most of last season. He still finished second on the team in receiving yards and receptions.

Nicknamed "Hiccup," Hickenbortham was first-team All-Sun Belt Conference as a return specialist and an all-purpose player last year. He can also play tailback.

"We’re pleased at receiver," Roberts told the Jonesboro Sun. "You look at James as a big-play threat and we’re going to get the ball to him behind the line of scrimmage and downfield."

Sophomore Jason Wood (5-10, 166) will back up Hickenbotham. The starter at the other wide-receiver slot is expected to be sophomore Chuck Walker (6-0, 192). Behind Walker will be junior Jerry Mack (6-1, 210).

Wood is a heady player who caught seven passes last year. Walker is tall and thin and Mack is a large target for a quarterback.

Help could also come from signee Mike Cox (5-10, 170), who caught 118 passes in two seasons at Shasta (Calif.) College. He could play a role as an inside receiver.

With the departure of Jerry Pegues, the tight-end position needs an impact player. Roberts was pleased with his tight ends, junior Frank Arritt (6-3, 257) and sophomore Mike Brooks (6-1, 236), in the spring. Arritt was primarily a blocker last season and Brooks is a converted linebacker.

Leading the way in the offensive line is Lombardi Award nominee Garry Johnson (6-4, 306), a senior. He is the first Indian to be considered for the award, given annually to the best lineman in college football.

Johnson has started 33 consecutive games and has allowed two sacks in his three years. He was a first-team All-Sun Belt selection last year.

Roberts and his staff were also impressed with senior guard John Crossley (6-2, 323), who is also a three-year starter. Like Johnson, he has started 33 straight games.

Sophomore Tab Slaughter (6-2, 282) and senior John Allison (6-1, 283) will both play center.

Junior Anthony Mitchell (6-4, 305) is a returning starter at guard and sophomore tackle Steven Gibbs (6-3, 345) gained experience last year as a freshman.

Senior Jesse Duncan (6-2, 351) is another returning starter who sat out spring drills. He figures into the picture at center or guard.

Kimani Jones (6-4, 300), a heralded transfer from Mississippi Delta Junior College, will also battle for playing time. Depth will come from senior Burt Samples (6-7, 297), sophomore Brandon Crocker (6-4, 329) and sophomore Brian Day (6-6, 253).

Hickenbotham won’t be the only weapon the Indians have in the kicking game.

Red-shirt freshman kicker Eric Neihouse (5-9, 188) kicked several long field goals during spring drills, hitting from as far away as 62 yards.

"I’m real pleased with Eric," Roberts said. "He just barely misses from 67 [yards], and that is a long way. He’s getting the ball up on time, he’s getting it elevated and his accuracy is getting better. He’s going to be a weapon for this football team."

The return of three starters in the defensive front is good news for Roberts, who plans to make wholesale changes in defensive theory.

Senior end John Bradley (6-2, 285) was a second-team All-Sun Belt selection last season, making 66 total tackles.

Also back are senior tackle Corey Williams (6-4, 291) and junior nose tackle Brian Rucker (5-11, 302), who drew praise for his performance in spring practice.

Williams suffered a sprained knee in the spring game, an injury that is not expected to affect his availability this fall.

Sophomore Courtney Todd (6-2, 204), who has played both linebacker and safety, closed the spring as the other starter at end.

The need for linebackers was cut in half with the new defensive scheme. In the spring, a couple of returning starters impressed Roberts.

Junior Les Echols (5-11, 215), who led last year’s team in tackles (71) and interceptions (three), made several big plays in the spring. Junior Reggie Everett (6-0, 227), an outside linebacker in last year’s scheme, is expected to produce after making 57 tackles last season.

A new defensive scheme is aimed at putting more speed on the field to provide better pass coverage. Roberts hopes that improved depth this fall will help the Indians do more in the secondary.

Sophomore safety Alex Peoples (6-1, 186) drew praise throughout spring drills. He made 36 tackles as a freshman. His backup will be red-shirt freshman Andy Auth (6-1, 190).

Senior Keith Headley (6-2, 197) learned all three safety positions this spring. He had 60 tackles last season and returned a fumble for a touchdown against Nicholls State. Headley is listed as the starter at weak safety.

Seniors Corey Murray (5-10, 168) and Maurice Joyner (6-0, 182) are projected for playing time. Junior LeKeith Grace (6-0, 190), who sat out last season because of an injury, came back this spring.

The top returning cornerback is junior Chris Jones (5-9, 169), who had 43 tackles and two interceptions. Senior Chuck Allen (5-9, 150) also closed the spring as a starting cornerback.

Senior Casey Venters (6-1, 199), a returning starter who made 59 tackles last year, sat out spring drills after being injured in last year’s finale. Other backups will be junior Lamar Lee (6-1, 180) and sophomore Paris Foots (5-10, 172).

ASU expects a couple of junior transfers, John Burke (6-0, 180) of Butte College in Tampa, Fla., and Joe Williams (5-9, 175) of Southwest Mississippi, to battle for playing time at cornerback.

Senior punter Mike Alexander (5-11, 161) averaged 37.8 yards last season. He came to ASU from junior college and ended last season with 86 punts, the seventh most attempts in school history.

Heading up the special teams will be Hickenbotham, who ranked among the national leaders last year in kick return yards for the third consecutive season.

He also returned punts for the Tribe, helping him end the year with more than 100 all-purpose yards per game.

Roberts and his staff signed 26 players to letters-of-intent.

"I’m very proud of the job our coaches have done in a very short period of time," Roberts told the Jonesboro Sun. "Not only having to come in and have a very abbreviated time to recruit, but we had to learn about our environment here and what we had to sell."

Most of ASU’s signees came from Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. In the future, Roberts wants to be more involved in western Tennessee and Missouri.

Roberts said the secondary, especially cornerback, was one of ASU’s most pressing needs.

"We felt like we needed immediate help at corner," Roberts told the Jonesboro paper. "That’s not a knock at all on the players that are here. It’s just that there are very few of them. We needed immediate help at fullback, at one position in the offensive line and at tailback. There will be some newcomers who will compete for this football team next year."

Terrence Dunbar (5-9, 185) of Metairie (La.) Archbishop Rummel may battle for playing time at tailback. He was rated All-Region by PrepStar.com and runs a 4.4 in the 40. He averaged more than 8.5 yards per carry as a senior.

Roberts signed quarterback Reid McKinney (6-3, 200) from Warren (Ark.) High School.

"They were just real honest," McKinney told the Jonesboro Sun. "I just loved the coaching staff. Coach Roberts and me got along well. We clicked."

McKinney led Warren to a 15-0 record and the Class AAA state championship. He threw for 4,585 yards and 64 touchdowns out of the Lumberjacks’ spread offense. As a junior, McKinney passed for 2,405 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Roberts was pleased with what the Indians accomplished in spring practice.

"We laid a foundation as far as terminology and what we have on offense and defense," Roberts told the Jonesboro Sun. "We established the attitude, the tempo and the competitiveness. It’s not easy to keep that up for 15 practices, but these guys did a great job."

ASU has 17 returning starters from last year’s 2-9 team. Roberts is comfortable with ASU’s starters on each side of the ball, but is concerned with the backups.

"I feel comfortable in the first group we will put out there," Roberts told the paper. "A concern is the lack of depth and lack of numbers."

ASU will kick off its season Sunday, Aug. 25, at Virginia Tech in the Hispanic College Fund Football Classic. The game is considered a preseason exempt game by the NCAA, meaning it does not count against the regular-season total. With the addition of Virginia Tech, the Indians will play 13 games this season. ASU has played 13 or more games four times in its 88-year football history, all during seasons that included appearances in the Division I-AA playoffs.

"It’s a great opportunity for our program to gain some additional exposure," Roberts told the Sun. "At the same time, it presents us with the challenge of 13 consecutive ballgames."

ASU has some experienced players, but there are plenty of questions about 2002 with the new philosophy on offense and defense. The Indians do have a chance to improve on last season’s 2-9 record because Roberts and his staff brought in a new attitude.

"Everybody has a great attitude about everything and the coaches are real involved," cornerback Jones told the Sun. "They’re all staying on us, making sure everybody does what they’re supposed to do.

"The team attitude is a lot better than last year. Everybody is a lot more positive and everybody is coming out here with the right mind set before practice."