Dec. 16, 2011

TEMPE, Ariz.--No stranger to major college football, former Washington State University Co-Defensive Coordinator Chris Ball has been named an assistant coach for Sun Devil football, head coach Todd Graham has announced. In addition to coaching WSU, Ball has also spent time at Pitt and at Alabama, mentoring numerous NFL talents.

Ball spent the past three seasons at Washington State as Assistant Head Coach, Co-Defensive Coordinator and Safeties coach. He arrived at WSU after spending the 2007 season as secondary coach at Pitt. During his only season with the Panthers, the Pitt defense ranked fourth nationally inpass defense (167.3 ypg) and seventh in total defense (297.7 ypg).

From 2003 to 2006, Ball coached the secondary for the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC. In 2004, Ball's secondary led the nation in pass defense, allowing just 113.1 passing yards per game and finishing second nationally in pass efficiency defense. The following season the Alabama secondary ranked fifth in both pass defense (160.8 ypg) and pass efficiencydefense (97.8 rating), and the Crimson Tide ranked second nationally in total defense. In 2006, Ball oversaw the progress of free safety Roman Harper, who earned All-SEC honors and was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation's top defensive back.

From 2000 to 2002, Ball coached defensive backs at Washington State, mentoring future NFL great Marcus Trufant. During his three seasons, WSU's defense compiled 56 interceptions, including 26 during the 2001 campaign, which tied for second nationally.

The St. Louis, Mo., native and 1981 graduate of Webster Grove High played football at Missouri Western State College and later served as a graduate assistant and defensive coordinator at his alma mater.

The 1985 All-American defensive back coached at both Northeast Missouri State (1986-87) and Akron (1987-88) before joining Mike Price's staff in 1989. He coached at Coffeyville Community College (1990-94), Western Oregon State College (1995-96) and Missouri Western State (1997-98). Prior to joining the Cougar staff in 2000, Ball spent the 1999 season as defensive coordinator for Idaho State Head Coach Larry Lewis.