Marcus Knight Hired to Coach BSU Receivers

MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Ball State football program is adding a national champion player and experienced coach with the hiring of Marcus Knight as wide receivers coach.

Knight, who joins the staff after two years at Indiana State, was previously receivers coach and passing game coordinator at Central Michigan. A former All-Big Ten pass catcher at Michigan, Knight helped the Wolverines to the 1997 national championship and later played in Super Bowl XXXVIII for the Oakland Raiders.

"We are thrilled to add Marcus Knight to our coaching staff," Ball State head coach Mike Neu said. "His experience as a high-level player and his abilities as a coach will be great assets to our talented receiver room. Marcus is certainly familiar with football in the Midwest and in our league, and we are excited to have him on board."

Knight coached running backs at Indiana State in 2019 before shifting to receivers in 2020. The Sycamores did not play this season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He spent the previous two seasons coaching receivers at Central Michigan where he helped the Chippewas to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in 2017. His receiving corps that year amassed 3,324 yards and caught 27 touchdown passes, led by Mark Chapman who went on to become the No. 1 pick in the CFL draft.

Prior to his time with Central Michigan, Knight served as the wide receivers coach, passing game coordinator, and recruiting coordinator at Northern Michigan from 2012-16 and was an assistant at Valparaiso from 2008-11. He broke into coaching at Grenada (Calif.) High School.

As a player, Knight competed in championship games at the high school, college and professional levels. In addition to his national championship at Michigan and Super Bowl appearance with the Raiders, Knight also played in the Arena Bowl.

Knight earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors at Michigan in 1999. At the completion of his college career, he ranked in the top 15 in Michigan history in career receptions (88) and receiving yards (1,508).

He earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan in 2007 and his master's in sports administration from Valparaiso in 2010.

Knight joins a Cardinals program coming off a banner season in 2020. BSU finished 7-1 overall, won the program's first MAC championship since 1996 by defeating No. 23 Buffalo and claimed the first bowl victory in school history by beating No. 19 San Jose State in the Offerpad Arizona Bowl.

Ball State finished the year ranked No. 23 in both the AP Top 25 and the Amway Coaches Poll, marking the first year-end ranking in either poll in program history. The Cardinals are set to return 20 starters from that team, including All-MAC receivers Justin Hall and Yo'Heinz Tyler.

Ball State University Athletics

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