Ball State University Athletics
Football Hires Alum Nick Tabacca as Assistant Coach
February 07, 2012 | Football
Nick Tabacca, a 2004 graduate of Ball State and a football letterwinner from 2001-04 for the Cardinals, has been named the team's offensive line coach, according to second-year head coach Pete Lembo.
"We are excited to welcome Nick back home to Ball State," Lembo says. "It is great to have another alum and former captain on our staff. Our coaches have spent a considerable amount of time with Nick since we arrived last year. He is a thorough, organized and passionate line coach with a big upside. Nick will be an excellent fit."
Tabacca started 33 games in his final three seasons, including the final 24 games of his career at Ball State as a center. He was a 2002 and 2003 Academic All-Mid-American Conference honoree who earned a bachelor's degree at Ball State prior to his senior season. Tabacca was a team captain for the Cardinals as a senior center after playing guard and tackle in his first three years.
He anchored an offensive line that blocked for a then school record 2,730 passing yards in 2003. In addition, Tabacca blocked for tailback Marcus Merriweather, who rushed for a then school record 1,244 yards in 2001 and bettered that with 1,618 rushing yards in 2002.
Tabacca returned to the Cardinals football program as a graduate assistant coach in 2005 and 2006.
After earning a master's degree from Ball State in July of 2006 and coaching the Cardinals for the 2006 season, Tabacca spent the 2007-09 campaigns as an assistant coach at Defiance College. In 2007, Tabacca served as the run game coordinator, offensive line coach and strength and conditioning coordinator. In 2008 and 2009, he added the title of offensive coordinator to his duties. While at Defiance, Tabacca coached seven all-conference linemen, and helped the team average 154.0 yards per game over his three seasons.
In 2010 and 2011, Tabacca served as an assistant coach at Butler. He was the offensive line coach in 2010 and was the offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator in 2011. He helped the Bulldogs to average 25.6 points per game in 2011 and lead the league in fewest turnovers with 13. Butler's offense in 2011 averaged 395.0 yards per game. Tabacca coached five all-conference lineman in his two seasons at Butler.
Tabacca, and his wife Alyssa, are the parents of three children -- Sophia, Lucas and Lily.
