Ball State coach Pete Lembo resigns for job at Maryland

Head coach Pete Lembo looks onward during the game against Virginia Military Institute on Sept. 3 at Scheumann Stadium. DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY
Head coach Pete Lembo looks onward during the game against Virginia Military Institute on Sept. 3 at Scheumann Stadium. DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY

Pete Lembo - Ball State record by year

2015: 3-9 (MAC 2-6)

2014: 5-7 (MAC 4-4)

2013: 10-3 (MAC 7-1)

2012: 9-4 (MAC: 6-2)

2011: 6-6 (MAC: 4-4)

Ball State has announced head football coach Pete Lembo has resigned from his position to become assistant head coach and special teams coordinator for Maryland.

The move to Maryland and the Big Ten "is one which I simply can't pass up," Lembo said in a press release.

Lembo, who just completed his fifth year as head coach in Muncie, led the Cardinals to a 3-9 record in 2015. It was Ball State's worst record during his tenure.

Lembo has a 33-29 (23-17 Mid-American Conference) career record at Ball State, but the team has a combined record of 8-16 over the past two seasons. He led the Cardinals to two straight bowl appearances in 2012-13.

“It is incredibly difficult to say goodbye after five very meaningful years and building so many wonderful relationships with student-athletes, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the community,” Lembo said. “I tried to make a difference every day and I am proud of our many accomplishments on and off the field.”

Lembo, who was also named Ball State associate athletics director in 2014, made $514,250 in 2015, according to USA Today. He was the fourth-highest paid coach in the MAC.

He began his head coaching career at Lehigh in 2001, and led the Mountain Hawks to a 44-14 in five seasons. After going 35-22 over five seasons during his next stop at Elon, he arrived at Ball State in 2011.

The Cardinals set or tied more than 60 records during his tenure.

In addition to his work on the field, Lembo has also assisted in several projects and initiatives. Ball State players also experienced success in the classroom with Lembo as head coach.

“It has been my sincere pleasure to know and respect Coach Lembo during these past two seasons and to work with him to enhance and support the football program at Ball State University through the Cardinal Commitment, initiatives such as the new Scheumann Stadium turf, the Ronald E. and Joan M. Venderly Football Team Complex, and the many opportunities to partner with him in engaging in his remarkable leadership development of our student-athletes,” Ball State President Paul W. Ferguson said in a statement. "We wish Pete, Jen and the family much continued success at the University of Maryland. They all will be deeply missed.”

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