Football
Connolly, Cory
Cory Connolly
- Title:
- Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Coach
- Phone:
- 765-285-8914
- Email:
- cdconnolly@bsu.edu
- Alma Mater:
- Quincy '13
- Years at Ball State:
- 10th season in 2024
- Years Coaching:
- 11th season in 2024
Cory Connolly currently serves as the special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach at Ball State, a position he has held since 2022.
Connolly played a pivotal role in the development of outside linebacker Christian Albright, who achieved the ninth position in program history with 16.5 sacks. His coaching contributions extended to the 2022 defense, which allowed just 24.0 points per game in MAC play, ranking third best in the league. Connolly also helped guide the defense to force 19 turnovers while maintaining a plus-7 turnover margin, which was one of the top marks in college football. Albright in 2018 led the team with five sacks and tied for the league in forced fumbles with four.
Connolly contributed to the 2020 team's historic achievements, including winning the MAC Championship, securing the program's first-ever bowl victory and earning year-end rankings in the AP and coaches’ polls. Among the players coached by Connolly are two-time All-MAC selection Christian Albright and 2020 All-MAC first team choice Anthony Ekpe. This duo combined for eight sacks and 13 tackles for loss in eight games in 2020.
Prior to the 2020 season, Connolly had the position as outside linebackers coach and helped coach Ray Wilborn lead the team in tackles (83) and tackles for loss (10.5) in his first season in 2018.
 Connolly began his coaching career at Ball State as a graduate assistant coach from 2015 to 2017 and as a graduate assistant coach at Carthage College in 2014.
Before entering coaching, Connolly had a successful playing career as a four-year starter at defensive end for Quincy, where he served as team captain three times. He received all-conference honors in 2012 and was recognized as an All-Mid-States Mideast defensive end in 2011.
Connolly holds a bachelor's degree from Quincy College and participated in the 2014 Future Football Coaches Academy sponsored by NCAA and AFCA. He is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS), and has been honored with the Quincy University LaVerne Academic Scholarship and Walter "Wally" O’Day Memorial Scholarship.
Connolly is married to his wife, Sydney, and is a proud father to their daughter Sloane.
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Connolly played a pivotal role in the development of outside linebacker Christian Albright, who achieved the ninth position in program history with 16.5 sacks. His coaching contributions extended to the 2022 defense, which allowed just 24.0 points per game in MAC play, ranking third best in the league. Connolly also helped guide the defense to force 19 turnovers while maintaining a plus-7 turnover margin, which was one of the top marks in college football. Albright in 2018 led the team with five sacks and tied for the league in forced fumbles with four.
Connolly contributed to the 2020 team's historic achievements, including winning the MAC Championship, securing the program's first-ever bowl victory and earning year-end rankings in the AP and coaches’ polls. Among the players coached by Connolly are two-time All-MAC selection Christian Albright and 2020 All-MAC first team choice Anthony Ekpe. This duo combined for eight sacks and 13 tackles for loss in eight games in 2020.
Prior to the 2020 season, Connolly had the position as outside linebackers coach and helped coach Ray Wilborn lead the team in tackles (83) and tackles for loss (10.5) in his first season in 2018.
 Connolly began his coaching career at Ball State as a graduate assistant coach from 2015 to 2017 and as a graduate assistant coach at Carthage College in 2014.
Before entering coaching, Connolly had a successful playing career as a four-year starter at defensive end for Quincy, where he served as team captain three times. He received all-conference honors in 2012 and was recognized as an All-Mid-States Mideast defensive end in 2011.
Connolly holds a bachelor's degree from Quincy College and participated in the 2014 Future Football Coaches Academy sponsored by NCAA and AFCA. He is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS), and has been honored with the Quincy University LaVerne Academic Scholarship and Walter "Wally" O’Day Memorial Scholarship.
Connolly is married to his wife, Sydney, and is a proud father to their daughter Sloane.
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