Ball State University Athletics
Former Football Cardinal Returns to Ball State as Offensive Line Coach
February 22, 2019 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. – He served as a three-year starter at center between 2000 and 2002, and now Colin Johnson is set to make a return to the Ball State football team as its offensive line coach. Head coach Mike Neu made the announcement official Friday afternoon.
"We are thrilled to welcome Colin and his family back to Ball State," Neu said. "His passion for Ball State is evident, and he will be a great ambassador for our program and our university."
Johnson, who has more than 10 years of collegiate and high school coaching experience, spent the 2018 season as Butler's offensive line coach. He helped develop three linemen into all-conference honorees last year. Off the field, Johnson also served as the team's academic services, equipment room and facilities liaison.
As a collegiate player for Ball State, Johnson served as a catalyst for running back Marcus Merriweather, who set back-to-back program single season rushing records in 2001 and 2002. Merriweather's mark of 1,618 yards in 2002 currently sits second in the Ball State annals. Johnson was a team captain for the Cardinals in his final season. As a junior, he missed one game with a broken right hand but returned to start the final eight games after learning to snap with his left hand.
Johnson's other collegiate coaching stops include DePauw, The College of Wooster and Indiana, plus another stint at Butler. He spent five seasons at DePauw from 2013-17 under former Ball State head coach Bill Lynch. Johnson's primary role was with the offensive line, and he helped eight players earn all-league accolades. He worked with the offensive line at Wooster in 2012 and defensive tackles at Butler in 2011.
Johnson worked at Indiana as a special teams quality control coach and an offensive graduate assistant from 2008-10. While at Indiana, he worked with NFL draft selections Rodger Saffold and James Brewer.
His coaching career started on the high school staffs at Warren Central and Zionsville after serving as an intern on the Ball State staff in 2003.
Johnson earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science from Ball State in 2003. He spent one season competing in the Arena Football League 2 as a member of the Peoria Pirates, starting 11 games and helping the Pirates to the 2004 Arena Cup.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
TRANSACTIONS
Ball State – Announced the hiring of Colin Johnson as a football assistant coach (offensive line coach).
"We are thrilled to welcome Colin and his family back to Ball State," Neu said. "His passion for Ball State is evident, and he will be a great ambassador for our program and our university."
Johnson, who has more than 10 years of collegiate and high school coaching experience, spent the 2018 season as Butler's offensive line coach. He helped develop three linemen into all-conference honorees last year. Off the field, Johnson also served as the team's academic services, equipment room and facilities liaison.
As a collegiate player for Ball State, Johnson served as a catalyst for running back Marcus Merriweather, who set back-to-back program single season rushing records in 2001 and 2002. Merriweather's mark of 1,618 yards in 2002 currently sits second in the Ball State annals. Johnson was a team captain for the Cardinals in his final season. As a junior, he missed one game with a broken right hand but returned to start the final eight games after learning to snap with his left hand.
Johnson's other collegiate coaching stops include DePauw, The College of Wooster and Indiana, plus another stint at Butler. He spent five seasons at DePauw from 2013-17 under former Ball State head coach Bill Lynch. Johnson's primary role was with the offensive line, and he helped eight players earn all-league accolades. He worked with the offensive line at Wooster in 2012 and defensive tackles at Butler in 2011.
Johnson worked at Indiana as a special teams quality control coach and an offensive graduate assistant from 2008-10. While at Indiana, he worked with NFL draft selections Rodger Saffold and James Brewer.
His coaching career started on the high school staffs at Warren Central and Zionsville after serving as an intern on the Ball State staff in 2003.
Johnson earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science from Ball State in 2003. He spent one season competing in the Arena Football League 2 as a member of the Peoria Pirates, starting 11 games and helping the Pirates to the 2004 Arena Cup.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
TRANSACTIONS
Ball State – Announced the hiring of Colin Johnson as a football assistant coach (offensive line coach).
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