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Ball State football coach Colin Johnson addressed the media on Monday for the first time since he was named the interim head coach.
Ball State fired former coach Mike Neu on Saturday morning following an overtime loss to Buffalo that eliminated the Cardinals from bowl game contention. Athletic director Jeff Mitchell chose Johnson, the Cardinals’ offensive line coach and running game coordinator, to lead the team through the remainder of the 2024 season.
“Obviously, I’m honored. It’s never easy in this profession to deal with change. But, you know, as a young coach, when I got into this business, I was exposed to it early, and you kind of learn that this is what you get into,” Johnson said. “I want to give unbelievable gratitude to Mike Neu and what he has provided for myself and my family. I grew up idolizing the guy, being a Ball State athlete myself, over in the old facility at Worthen, seeing his picture up on the wall and hearing about his stories as a champion, I’ve always looked up to him. It’s been a dream here to be able to work underneath him, and I don’t take that for granted.”
More: Who will coach Ball State football’s final two games? School names interim coach
More: Ball State athletics director Jeff Mitchell explains the timing of Mike Neu decision
Like Neu, Johnson is a former Ball State football player. He was an offensive lineman for the Cardinals from 1999-2002, starting at center for three seasons and serving as a team captain as a senior in 2002. Johnson has been an assistant coach for his alma mater since 2019.
“You’re never really prepared for your first head coaching job,” Johnson said. “It’s a big responsibility to lead, but every level I’ve ever been at, I’ve been looked at as a leader. I don’t shy away from that. High school football, I was a team captain. Certainly here at Ball State, I was one…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ball-state-football-learned-interim-011950985.html
Author : The Star Press
Publish date : 2024-11-19 01:19:00
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