Over the past three years, Muncie Mayor Dennis Tyler said he’s seen an increase in participation from Ball State coaches and players in the community.
He credits this to Ball State football coach and associate athletic director Pete Lembo.
“Lembo’s a great coach,” Tyler said. “He’s a winner, and the kids he brings in are winners. I love the way they give themselves on and off the field.”
Lembo’s contract with Ball State was extended through February of 2019, following approval from the Ball State Board of Trustees. His salary will be $475,000, effective Jan. 1, 2014, and the university extended his contract through the 2018 season. Lembo’s 2013 salary was $396,000.
“It’s a big deal for people in the community to see that Ball State football players from another city or another state want to be a part of this community – it means a lot to them,” Tyler said.
Sunday Ball State players volunteered at both the Muncie Civic Theatre and the Muncie Animal Shelter. Tyler said last season the team’s Paint the Town Red event drew support from Muncie locals.
It’s a mutually beneficial relationship Tyler said he looks forward to building on in the remainder of Lembo’s time at Ball State. The pair met for lunch last week to discuss ways they could bring the community and Ball State together.
“The more we can show the university and the community are partnering to move the community forward, the better off we’ll be,” he said. “Pete gets that.”
Tyler said Ball State stands to gain increased support as well. Average home attendance has increased in each of Ball State’s last three seasons. In 2011, Lembo’s first year as head coach, home crowds averaged 10,032. Last season’s average was 13,817.
Ball State is also one of just four teams in the country to improve its record over the last three seasons. Lembo is 25-13 in three seasons at Ball State. The Cardinals have been bowl eligible each season with Lembo and earned a berth in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl for the 2012-13 season and the GoDaddy Bowl for the 2013-14 season after a 10-2 regular season.
At Ball State, Lembo took over a team that saw a 4-8 prior season. To start off his inaugural season, he coached the Cardinals to a win over the Hoosiers at Lucas Oil Stadium. The win was the second time Ball State defeated a Bowl Championship Series opponent.
During which he coached record-breaking quarterback Keith Wenning, wide receiver Willie Snead and defensive end Jonathan Newsome.
“We all know how quarterback-driven football has become,” Ball State athletic director Bill Scholl said. “To have the same head coach who’s recruited these quarterbacks and to help us get through this transition I think is really important to our student-athletes.”
Following Ball State’s 10-2 campaign in the 2013-14 season, Wake Forest’s Ron Wellman flew into Muncie, causing speculation that he was speaking to Lembo. However, former Bowling Green coach Dave Clawson accepted the job at Wake Forest.
Around the same time, Lembo was in Georgia and rumored to be speaking with Connecticut athletic director Warde Manuel, but it was not confirmed. Bob Diaco ended up accepting the position at the university..
Lembo’s contract extension includes a clause that would require him to pay if he opts out before the conclusion of the 2018 season. If another school hires Lembo prior to the final game of the 2014 football season his buyout cost would be $475,000. The cost goes down with each year following 2014.
“I hope he’s with us for a long, long time,” Scholl said.
No matter how long Lembo remains with the team, Tyler will enjoy working with the coach he calls enthusiastic and easy to work with.
“As the head coach, has really tried to focus his team and staff on being involved in the community,” Tyler said. “I sense the community senses that too.”
Assistant football coach Joey Lynch was given the title of offensive coordinator, and his salary was increased from $78,000 to $118,500, effective Jan. 1, 2014. The contract will last through March 31.
The university also extended the contract for Scholl through April 30, 2016.
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