A couple weeks before the spring scrimmage, Ball State University football coach Brady Hoke announced on Wednesday the addition of former Colorado State University assistant coach Darrell Funk to his staff.
Funk, whose first day with the Cardinals' program was March 17, will tutor Ball State's offensive line during the upcoming season. Hoke said Funk will be a perfect fit as his offensive line coach.
"Darrell gives a wealth of knowledge to Ball State from very successful programs around the country," Hoke said. "As a person who's played at the [Division I] level, that's a benefit he can provide because you see things through those eyes."
Funk was a three-year starter at Colorado State, where he played tight end, defensive end and defensive tackle. He has spent the past four seasons coaching under Sonny Lubick.
When Lubick retired following a 3-9 record last season, Funk was left looking for a job.
"It's always difficult to leave your alma mater, and I've done that several times over the course of 20 years," Funk said. "But I'm not worried about leaving Colorado State right now. The only thing I'm worried about is doing whatever I can to help make Ball State's football program better."
Among the six programs Funk coached during the past two decades, he had a one-year stint as the tight end's coach at Northern Illinois University in the Mid-American Conference. Although Funk said he was already familiar with the MAC before his season in the Huskies' program, he said it will be beneficial for him to enter the league with the experience.
"It's going to help having a successful year already in the MAC," Funk said. "Taking that year told me what a great conference this is and how vital it is to come to play every week."
Funk inherits an offensive line that returns every starter from last year's International Bowl team, a group that includes four seniors. Leading the line is tackle Robert Brewster, who earned First-team All-MAC accolades last season.
Despite the strengths Ball State's offensive line possesses, Funk said, there is still work to be done.
"You've got five guys who've played a lot of football, and there's no substitute for that," Funk said. "Kids with experience can take it for granted sometimes and think they're automatically going to take the next step without putting the work in. Everyone has to put the work in to get better, and fortunately we have good kids who are going to do that."
Funk said primary focus is to improve the run blocking to open bigger holes for Ball State's running backs.
"With the passing game that's already in place, improving the running game a little bit will make everything go that much better," Funk said. "Getting a little more out of the running game is priority one everywhere -¡- no matter what program or what offense you run - and this is no exception."
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