Ball State University Athletics
Football Announces Staff Changes
March 14, 2015 | Football
Ball State head football coach Pete Lembo has announced some staff changes for the 2015 season.
Justin Lustig, a member of the Ball State coaching staff since 2011 as running backs coach and special team's coordinator, is adding the title of assistant head coach.
“Justin has consistently performed at a very high level since his arrival with our coaching staff in 2011,” Lembo said. “His coordination of special teams has produced great results each season and has helped our team build credibility among our peers. The running backs and specialists have benefitted greatly from Justin's mentorship both on and off the field. I believe strongly Justin has the potential to become an outstanding head football coach in the near future. I want to make sure we are doing everything possible to help him grow professionally and reach that goal someday. I look forward to including him in various administrative aspects of the program and decision making. The Muncie community will continue to benefit from having the Lustig family here at Ball State.”
Ryan McGorry, the assistant equipment manager for Iowa State football the last two seasons, has been named the football equipment manager for the Cardinals. Prior to Iowa State, McGorry spent one season as the assistant equipment manager for football at Connecticut. A graduate of Clarion, he also spent time on the equipment staffs at the Arena League's Philadelphia Soul and the Dallas Vigilantes. McGorry started his career as the assistant equipment manager and then head equipment manager at his alma mater from 2001-07.
In other changes, Patrick Dougherty, who coached the tight ends for Ball State last season in his first full year with the Cardinals, is adding the duties of recruiting coordinator and will remain in charge of the tight ends. Daryl Dixon, who has been on the Ball State staff since 2009, will continue to coach the outside linebackers/nickel backs and will serve as the team's academic liaison. Nathan Ollie, who played for the Cardinals on the defensive line from 2010-13, will join the Ball State staff as a graduate assistant coach on defense.
Keith Gaither, the Cardinals' wide receivers coach since 2011, has resigned his position to take an assistant coaching job at Army. A national search for his replacement has already begun.
“I want to publically thank Coach Gaither for six terrific years with me at Ball State University and Elon University,” Lembo said. “He was a tremendous asset to our coaching staff at both institutions and will be missed. I am very proud of Keith and how he has developed as a knowledgeable, detailed, offensive coach and as a recruiter. More importantly, he is someone I completely respect, trust and look forward to keeping in touch with as his career progresses. Our new wide receivers coach will benefit greatly from the strong foundation Keith established with his student-athletes both on and off the field.”
Head Coach: Pete Lembo (Georgetown '92)
Career Record/Years: 109-56/14 years
Record at Ball State/Years: 30-20/4 years
Mid-American Conference Record/Years: 21-11/4 years
Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator/Running Backs: Justin Lustig (Bucknell '00)
Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers: Kevin Kelly (Springfield '82)
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks: Joey Lynch (Ball State '07)
Recruiting Coordinator/Tight Ends: Patrick Dougherty (Ohio Dominican '08)
Pass Defense Coordinator/Defensive Backs: Shannon Morrison (Marshall '95)
Outside Linebackers/Nickel Backs: Daryl Dixon (Florida '03)
Wide Receivers: TBA
Defensive Line: Nick Siatras (Ohio State '06)
Offensive Line: John Strollo (Boston College '76)
Director, Football Strength & Conditioning: David Feeley (Plymouth State '04)
Director of Football Operations/Player Development: Nick Kray (Eastern Ill. '08)
Director of Player Personnel/On-Campus Recruiting: Tilmon Clark (Earlham '09)
Video Coordinator: Brooks Santanello (Murray State '12)
Graduate Assistants: Brian Dougherty (Miami U. '12), offense; Aaron Mershman (Ball State '13), offense; Nathan Ollie (Ball State '14), defense; Jon Robinson (Wayne State '12), defense
Graduate Assistant/Strength & Conditioning: Ben Armer (Western Michigan '12)
Graduate Assistant/Operations & Recruiting: TBA
Equipment Manager: Ryan McGorry, Clarion'09
Secretary: Marlene Mitchell
