Ball State: a football coaching history
See Ball State’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →← all coaches
Stature and coaches, 1975–2026
The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.
DynastyBlue BloodPower ProgramNational ProgramRegional Program
Run↔pass identity, by season
Every coach
Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.
2025–now
7-13
2024
Colin Johnson Short tenure
No outlier style signal this stint
0-2
2016–2024
Mike Neu Steady
Mike Neu slid Ball State from Regional Program IV to Regional Program V in 9 seasons.
2017 defense ranked in the 2th percentile nationally — historically bad
−4.2 pts over 9 seasons · bottom 26% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Charlie Bailey’s UTEP run (1993–1999)
8th-best Ball State tenure of 8 by the numbers.
Followed Pete Lembo (2011–2015) · succeeded by Mike Uremovich (2025–now).
System Shift, on departure
System Shift, on arrival
| Season | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||||
| Record | 4-8 | 2-10 | 4-8 | 5-7 | 7-1 | 6-7 | 5-7 | 4-8 | 3-7 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | — | W bowl | L bowl | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #113 | #90 | #118 | #124 | #122 | #94 | #96 | #107 | #112 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||||
| Pass rate | 45.7 | 44.9 | 51.5 | 41.0 | 40.7 | 49.8 | 53.6 | 39.2 | 54.3 | |
| Coordinators | ||||||||||
| OC | Joey Lynch | Joey Lynch | Joey Lynch | Joey Lynch | Kevin Lynch | Kevin Lynch | Kevin Lynch | Jared Elliott / Kevin Lynch | Jared Elliott | |
| DC | Tim Daoust | David Elson | David Elson | David Elson / Tyler Stockton | Tyler Stockton | Tyler Stockton | Tyler Stockton | Tyler Stockton | Jeff Knowles | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||||
| Offense | 40 | 7 | 43 | 80 | 72 | 17 | 15 | 30 | 27 | |
| Defense | 22 | 2 | 20 | 23 | 81 | 22 | 57 | 80 | 6 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 40.5 | 41.4 | 46.8 | 36.2 | 39.7 | 47.1 | 44.3 | 34.4 | 51.6 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 32.5 | 36.6 | 40.0 | 24.2 | 44.7 | 53.5 | 43.6 | 35.9 | 48.8 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 40.5 | 32.4 | 26.8 | 30.4 | 37.9 | 23.3 | 31.7 | 27.8 | 36.4 | |
Recruiter or developer?
Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.
Offense vs. talent
+0.2 pts
#110 of 208 · middle half
Defense vs. talent
-3.5 pts
#118 of 208 · middle half
Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.
Roster construction · portal era
Barely touches the portal — recruits and develops his own.
Portal arrivals
28
2.9★ avg rating
Portal departures
45
left via the portal
Net portal flow
-17
#150 of 187 FBS stints
Who they bring in
Brings in smaller-than-position-typical players than most.
Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.
Avg. size (raw)
6′2″, 229 lbs
across 23 of 28 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix
Size vs. position-typical
-0.1 lbs
#234 of 255 · bottom quarter
Avg. class year
Jr
#5 of 255 · top quarter
Top states: IN (6), GA (3), MD (2), IL (2), TN (1)
Who won the portal our read
Talent added
48.2
position-weighted
Talent lost
52.0
position-weighted
Net
-3.8
arrivals minus departures
Best addition: Layne Hatcher (QB) from Texas State
Biggest loss: John Paddock (QB) to Illinois
Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.
Does the system survive a coordinator change?
OC: Joey Lynch → Kevin Lynch · 2020The offense slipped
2-season window either side.
1st-down pass rate: 41.5% → 43.4% (+1.9 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 76% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
OC: Kevin Lynch → Jared Elliott (co) / Kevin Lynch · 2023
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
1st-down pass rate: 44.3% → 34.4% (-9.9 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 26% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
DC: Tim Daoust → David Elson · 2017
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
DC: David Elson → David Elson / Tyler Stockton (co) · 2019
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
DC: David Elson / Tyler Stockton (co) → Tyler Stockton · 2020
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
Roster size, by position
Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)
Quarterback
198 lbs
6′0″ avg · #715 of 767 · bottom quarter
Running back
214 lbs
5′11″ avg · #146 of 791 · top quarter
Wide receiver
193 lbs
6′0″ avg · #378 of 791 · middle half
Tight end
241 lbs
6′5″ avg · #538 of 731 · middle half
Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters
Interior line
302 lbs
6′5″ avg · #653 of 779 · bottom quarter
D-line
283 lbs
6′3″ avg · #409 of 753 · middle half
Linebacker
230 lbs
6′2″ avg · #296 of 772 · middle half
Cornerback
184 lbs
5′11″ avg · #665 of 771 · bottom quarter
Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Quarterback from high school
75%
#164 of 206 stints
Grows Tight end from high school
100%
#164 of 188 stints
Postseason detail2020: Beat San José State 34-13 Offerpad Arizona Bowl2021: Lost to Georgia State 20-51 TaxAct Camellia Bowl
2 NFL Draft picks: Danny Pinter (2020), Nic Jones (2023)
−4.2
40-63
2011–2015
Pete Lembo Steady
Pete Lembo moved the Cardinals from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 5 seasons.
2015 defense ranked in the 3th percentile nationally — historically bad
+1.0 pts over 5 seasons · top 29% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Marcus Arroyo’s UNLV run (2020–2022)
7th-best Ball State tenure of 8 by the numbers.
Followed Stan Parrish (2008–2010) · succeeded by Mike Neu (2016–2024).
System Shift, on arrival
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||
| Record | 6-6 | 9-4 | 10-3 | 5-7 | 3-9 | |
| Postseason | — | L bowl | L bowl | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #102 | #105 | #105 | #101 | #105 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||
| Pass rate | 51.9 | 47.5 | 53.0 | 47.7 | 51.2 | |
| Coordinators | ||||||
| OC | — | — | — | Joey Lynch | Joey Lynch | |
| DC | — | — | — | Kevin Kelly | Kevin Kelly | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||
| Offense | 30 | 83 | 66 | 46 | 15 | |
| Defense | 5 | 7 | 39 | 24 | 3 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 47.3 | 47.6 | 54.3 | 38.2 | 48.9 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 51.8 | 48.6 | 51.1 | 42.6 | 39.0 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 25.0 | 21.2 | 25.8 | 25.0 | 33.3 | |
Recruiter or developer?
Underperforms his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.
Offense vs. talent
-23.7 pts
#185 of 208 · bottom quarter
Defense vs. talent
-37.5 pts
#202 of 208 · bottom quarter
Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Tight end from high school
100%
#164 of 188 stints
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Postseason detail2012: Lost to UCF 17-38 Beef 'o' Brady's Bowl St. Petersburg2013: Lost to Arkansas State 20-23 Godaddy Bowl
2 NFL Draft picks: Jonathan Newsome (2014), Keith Wenning (2014)
+1.0
33-29
2008–2010
Stan Parrish Steady
Stan Parrish moved Ball State from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 3 seasons.
2010 offense ranked in the 2th percentile nationally — historically bad
+1.5 pts over 3 seasons · top 26% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Nick Saban’s Michigan State run (1995–1999)
6th-best Ball State tenure of 8 by the numbers.
Followed Brady Hoke (2003–2008) · succeeded by Pete Lembo (2011–2015).
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||
| Record | 0-1 | 2-10 | 4-8 | |
| Postseason | L bowl | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #106 | — | #93 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||
| Pass rate | 43.8 | 41.7 | 41.0 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||
| Offense | 83 | 11 | 2 | |
| Defense | 27 | 55 | 52 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||
| 1st-down pass% | 40.6 | 33.2 | 36.6 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 32.8 | 42.5 | 36.5 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 16.7 | 30.8 | 21.2 | |
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Kicker from high school
100%
#52 of 56 stints
Grows Tight end from high school
100%
#164 of 188 stints
Postseason detail2008: Lost to Tulsa 13-45 Gmac Bowl
2 NFL Draft picks: Robert Brewster (2009), Nate Davis (2009)
+1.5
6-19
2003–2008
Brady Hoke Steady
Brady Hoke moved the Cardinals from Regional Program IV to Regional Program III in 6 seasons.
No outlier style signal this stint
−1.6 pts over 6 seasons · bottom 38% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Lance Leipold’s Buffalo run (2015–2020)
5th-best Ball State tenure of 8 by the numbers.
Followed Bill Lynch (1995–2002) · succeeded by Stan Parrish (2008–2010).
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||
| Record | 4-8 | 2-9 | 4-7 | 5-7 | 7-6 | 12-1 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | — | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | #98 | #100 | #86 | #88 | #106 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||
| Pass rate | — | 46.1 | 44.9 | 50.5 | 50.9 | 43.8 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||
| Offense | — | 44 | 6 | 33 | 84 | 83 | |
| Defense | — | 19 | 37 | 10 | 8 | 27 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | 38.6 | 36.5 | 41.1 | 43.8 | 40.6 | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | 43.1 | 42.9 | 42.2 | 32.8 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | 30.8 | 28.2 | 17.6 | 16.7 | |
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Kicker from high school
100%
#52 of 56 stints
Grows Tight end from high school
100%
#164 of 188 stints
Postseason detail2007: Lost to Rutgers 30-52 Bowl
5 NFL Draft picks: Dante Ridgeway (2005), Justin Beriault (2005), Reggie Hodges (2005), Robert Brewster (2009), Nate Davis (2009)
−1.6
34-38
1995–2002
Bill Lynch Steady
Bill Lynch moved the Cardinals from Regional Program III to Regional Program II in 8 seasons.
−4.0 pts over 8 seasons · bottom 27% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Rich Brooks’s Kentucky run (2003–2009)
3rd-best Ball State tenure of 8 by the numbers.
Followed Paul Schudel (1985–1994) · succeeded by Brady Hoke (2003–2008).
| Season | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||||
| Record | 7-4 | 8-4 | 5-6 | 1-10 | 0-11 | 5-6 | 5-6 | 6-6 | |
| Postseason | — | L bowl | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Postseason detail1996: Lost to Nevada 15-18 Bowl
2 NFL Draft picks: Brad Maynard (1997), Cory Gilliard (1997)
−4.0
37-53
1985–1994
Paul Schudel Steady
Paul Schudel held the Cardinals at Regional Program III for 10 seasons.
−1.6 pts over 10 seasons · bottom 14% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Kalani Sitake’s BYU run (2016–now)
4th-best Ball State tenure of 8 by the numbers.
Followed Dwight Wallace (1978–1984) · succeeded by Bill Lynch (1995–2002).
| Season | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||||||
| Record | 4-7 | 6-5 | 4-7 | 8-3 | 7-3-2 | 7-4 | 6-5 | 5-6 | 8-3-1 | 5-5-1 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | — | L bowl | — | — | — | L bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Postseason detail1989: Lost to Fresno State 6-27 Bowl1993: Lost to Utah State 33-42 Bowl
−1.6
60-48-4
1978–1984
Dwight Wallace Steady
Dwight Wallace slid Ball State from National Program II to Regional Program III in 7 seasons.
−11.9 pts over 7 seasons · bottom 3% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Frank Solich’s Nebraska run (1998–2003)
1st-best Ball State tenure of 8 by the numbers.
Followed Dave McClain (1975–1977) · succeeded by Paul Schudel (1985–1994).
1 NFL Draft pick: Ken Kremer (1979)
−11.9
40-37
1975–1977
Dave McClain Steady
Dave McClain held the Cardinals at National Program II for 3 seasons.
2nd-best Ball State tenure of 8 by the numbers.
Succeeded by Dwight Wallace (1978–1984).
2 NFL Draft picks: Shafer Suggs (1976), Maurice Harvey (1978)