Bryan Harsin leaves UT for Arkansas St.

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Former Texas Co-Offensive Coordinator Bryan Harsin is the new head coach at Arkansas State.

Harsin was introduced at an on-campus press conference Wednesday afternoon. Mack Brown lured Harsin away from Boise St. following the 2009-2010 season, handing him the reigns of the offense by making him the Longhorns play caller.

Harsin will take over at Arkansas State immediately and will not coach Texas in its bowl game. 

Brown has reassigned the responsibilities of his offensive coaching staff following the departure.

• Former Texas quarterback Major Applewhite - who shared the co-offensive coordinator title with Harsin – will take over play calling duties. Applewhite will move from running backs coach to quarterbacks coach, a spot previously held by Harsin. Texas will look to hire a running backs coach.

• Wide Receivers Coach Darrell Wyatt is elevated to co-offensive coordinator. 

• Offensive Line Coach Stacy Searels is promoted to assistant head coach of the offense.

• Tight Ends Coach Bruce Chambers takes over as the primary recruiter. Previously he shared the responsibilities with Wyatt.

In a statement released by Texas, Brown thanked Harsin for his two seasons with the Longhorns.

“We're happy any time our coaches have the opportunity to be a head coach. I think that is a great reflection of the types of coaches we are fortunate enough to have in our program," he said.

Harsin was equally appreciative of Brown during his introductory press conference. "We were never planning on leaving Boise, Idaho. And then Mack Brown called," he said.

Texas plays Oregon State in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 29.