Former Georgia assistant Hollis dismissed at ASU

Another college head football coach who is a former Georgia assistant has been fired. Arkansas State University announced the dismissal of head football coach Joe Hollis on Thursday during the closing minutes of the Indians' final game of a dismal season.

Hollis was an assistant to Vince Dooley at Georgia from 1985-88 and to Ray Goff during the 1989 and 90 seasons. After leaving Georgia, Hollis resurfaced as Offensive Coordinator at Ohio State before taking the Arkansas State job. He also had assistant coaching tenures at Troy State, Auburn and Tulsa. He was head coach at Jacksonville State for one season (1984).

Earlier in the week, Southern Methodist University fired Mike Cavan as its head coach. Cavan was a full-time assistant at Georgia from 1973-85. 

Arkansas State finished 2-9 with a 28-22 loss to Division I-AA opponent Nicholls State. 

Arkansas State president Les Wyatt issued a statement announcing Hollis' termination as both head football coach and interim athletic director. The statement was released during the fourth quarter of the game. 

Hollis, 54, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is scheduled to undergo surgery next month. 

He compiled a 13-43 in five seasons with the Indians, who have lost 19 of their last 22 games. Hollis' contract as Arkansas State's head coach was to continue through the 2004 season.

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