Three Football Coaches Expand Roles For 2023

MUNCIE, Ind. - - Ball State football head coach Mike Neu announced title changes for three assistant coaches for the upcoming season.

Jared Elliott, who enters his second season with the program in 2023, has been promoted to co-offensive coordinator in addition to his responsibilities as the program's tight ends coach. This past season, the Ball State offense featured one of the top tight end duos in collegiate football, with both Brady Hunt and Tanner Koziol selected as Freshman All-Americans.

Hunt, Ball State's first tight end to be named First Team All-Mid-American Conference since 2013, was third on the team with 46 receptions for 498 yards and five touchdowns in 2022. Koziol had a team-high seven touchdown receptions, which tied for the fifth-most in all the FBS by a tight end and tied for the seventh-most among all freshmen regardless of position.

Vic Hall, who enters his third season at Ball State in 2023, will take over as passing game coordinator and serve as defensive backs coach. The Cardinals' cornerback coach for the past two seasons and co-recruiting coordinator last season, Hall's work helped the Ball State defense tally 22 interceptions over the past two seasons, the second-best total in the MAC.

During the 2021 campaign, Hall helped the Ball State defense hold opponents to just 24.0 points per game in MAC play, which was third-best in the conference. Ball State also picked off 15 passes in 2021, which was the 14th-best total in the country.

Joey Hecklinski, who enters his fifth season on Neu's staff in 2023, will take over as the program's lone recruiting coordinator while maintaining his duties as running backs coach. So far in the 2023 signing period, Hecklinski has helped bring in 16 freshmen and 10 transfers who will look to make an impact on the field for the Cardinals.

In the running game, Hecklinski helped develop the league's top individual rusher last season, with the entire unit ranking fifth in the MAC at 155.7 yards per game. The Cardinals' rushing attack was also third in the league, with an average of 4.5 yards per attempt in 2022.

"All three of these coaches have played an integral part in the success of our program and have truly earned these additional responsibilities," Neu said. "They continue to set the bar higher for our program and will be drivers in our pursuit to bring more MAC championships and bowl success to Muncie."

Players Mentioned

Brady Hunt

Tanner Koziol

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