Ball State University Athletics
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Three Football Assistant Coaches to Take on New Roles in 2020
March 27, 2020 | Football
MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State football head coach Mike Neu announced today that three of his assistant coaches have earned title changes for the upcoming season.
Patrick Dougherty, who is the longest tenured assistant coach on the BSU staff, has added the title of assistant head coach. He has coached the tight ends since his arrival in 2014 and took on the special teams coordinator role in 2016. Dougherty also served as the team's recruiting coordinator for two seasons in 2015 and 2016. He helped kick returner Malik Dunner earn All-MAC accolades three straight years in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Alex Bailey, now in his sixth season at Ball State, is the team's new recruiting coordinator. Bailey will continue his work as the wide receivers coach. He has mentored some of the most prolific wide receivers in Ball State's history in his time on staff including recent graduates KeVonn Mabon and Jordan Williams. This past fall, Ball State's top two wide receivers earned All-MAC honors – Justin Hall and Riley Miller. Miller was also the team's MVP in 2018 while Hall took home ESPN.com Freshman All-America accolades in 2017.
Finally, offensive line coach Colin Johnson was tabbed Ball State's run game coordinator. Johnson, a former Ball State offensive lineman himself, is in his second year on the Ball State coaching staff. The Cardinals' rushing average in 2019 (219.4 yards per game) was their second highest mark in the past 40 years. Two of Johnson's linemen were honored as All-MAC players last year – Danny Pinter and Curtis Blackwell. Pinter was also named team MVP and is now hopeful to hear his name called during the NFL Draft at the end of April.
"All three of these coaches are integral parts of our staff and have truly earned these added roles," Neu said. "They are excited to be here as we continue our rise in the Mid-American Conference and work towards our ultimate goal of bringing a MAC championship back to Muncie."
Ball State concluded the 2019 season 5-7 overall and 4-4 in the MAC. The Cardinals won the Bronze Stalk Trophy from Northern Illinois for the first time since 2008 and capped the year by knocking off league champion Miami for the Red Bird Rivalry Trophy, 41-27.
Ball State opens the 2020 season on Thursday, Sept. 3 with a home game against Maine.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
Patrick Dougherty, who is the longest tenured assistant coach on the BSU staff, has added the title of assistant head coach. He has coached the tight ends since his arrival in 2014 and took on the special teams coordinator role in 2016. Dougherty also served as the team's recruiting coordinator for two seasons in 2015 and 2016. He helped kick returner Malik Dunner earn All-MAC accolades three straight years in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
Alex Bailey, now in his sixth season at Ball State, is the team's new recruiting coordinator. Bailey will continue his work as the wide receivers coach. He has mentored some of the most prolific wide receivers in Ball State's history in his time on staff including recent graduates KeVonn Mabon and Jordan Williams. This past fall, Ball State's top two wide receivers earned All-MAC honors – Justin Hall and Riley Miller. Miller was also the team's MVP in 2018 while Hall took home ESPN.com Freshman All-America accolades in 2017.
Finally, offensive line coach Colin Johnson was tabbed Ball State's run game coordinator. Johnson, a former Ball State offensive lineman himself, is in his second year on the Ball State coaching staff. The Cardinals' rushing average in 2019 (219.4 yards per game) was their second highest mark in the past 40 years. Two of Johnson's linemen were honored as All-MAC players last year – Danny Pinter and Curtis Blackwell. Pinter was also named team MVP and is now hopeful to hear his name called during the NFL Draft at the end of April.
"All three of these coaches are integral parts of our staff and have truly earned these added roles," Neu said. "They are excited to be here as we continue our rise in the Mid-American Conference and work towards our ultimate goal of bringing a MAC championship back to Muncie."
Ball State concluded the 2019 season 5-7 overall and 4-4 in the MAC. The Cardinals won the Bronze Stalk Trophy from Northern Illinois for the first time since 2008 and capped the year by knocking off league champion Miami for the Red Bird Rivalry Trophy, 41-27.
Ball State opens the 2020 season on Thursday, Sept. 3 with a home game against Maine.
For the most up-to-date news on the Ball State football team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateFB and @BSUCoachNeu.
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