Stan Parrish filled the final coaching position on the Ball State University staff this week, hiring Jason Bettcher as defensive ends coach.
Bettcher fills the void created when Jay Hood was promoted to defensive coordinator last month.
Bettcher said he was drawn to Ball State by the reputation of Parrish and the rest of the coaches.
"Coach Parrish's reputation definitely proceeded him," Bettcher said. "He's a highly-regarded person in the industry."
Bettcher is a native of Lakeville, Ind. and played at the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne, which also made Ball State an attractive choice.
"My wife is from Fort Wayne, so this is like coming home for us," he said.
Since graduating from St. Francis in 2003, he has coached at St. Francis, Bowling Green State University and the University of North Carolina. Bettcher was a two-time All-American at St. Francis and finished second in the shot put at the 2001 NAIA National Championships. He was named an All-American three times in track.
After promoting Hood, Parrish said he hoped to have another coach in place by Spring Break so they could be prepared for spring practice. To get ready for the start of practice March 24, Bettcher said he has a lot of work to do.
"First, I have to get on the same page as the rest of the defensive staff," he said. "I have to get a feel for the defensive ends we have back and the guys coming in."
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