And that's the cool thing about Butler. There's such a pride in the place. You know, been playing football since 1893. They love playing under the football program. They love being around it. We like to say we set the foundation success.
What are the stark differences between levels? I would say 1,000% football is football. Again, on your dad though, what has he meant to you just in your life? He actually got beat in the first round on the Hail Mary. There was phenomenal talent on the field. This game was in Indiana.
This should have 8,000. Proof of concept here. What can we expect? Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you are, however you may be listening. Thanks for tuning in to the Get Indiana Podcast Network. My name is Dominic Miranda and I've been covering sports for nearly a decade.
Most of which right here in Indianapolis. This is the Get In Sports Podcast. We're going to be covering everything in the Hooser State, high school, college, pro, in the sports capital of the universe in the greatest state on planet Earth. Thanks so much for coming on this journey with us. Let's get into it on today's episode of Get In Sports, the first head coach to enter the Get In podcast studio. So, welcome.
He has spent his entire career in the state of Indiana. So, who else better to get on the Get In Sports podcast. He's risen to the ranks of coaching. His family lives and breathes football from Franklin to IU Indie to Ball State. Now coming into his second year of being the head coach of Butler Football right here in Indie. We're pleased to welcome on Kevin Lynch.
I know football season's here, so thank you for making some time, but welcome. Thank you for having me. Obviously, I've seen your stuff and always on social media with it. It's It's awesome. I think anytime we can uh promote Indiana and promote uh obviously football and specifically Butler, but what you're doing for the state, I think is awesome. I appreciate that, man.
It's all Nate Spangle. I'm just happy to be along for the ride, you know what I mean? But you may know, but Kevin's dad, Bill Lynch, was my college football coach at Depal. All right. Wasn't exactly a star player. He let me on the team.
Bill is the he's the epitome of the leader of men. I know Kevin is too, and his brothers are too. classy, classy family. So, we're pumped to have you on. It feels like one of the first families of football here in Indiana. I mean, honestly, thanks for saying that.
Yeah, of course. Uh, but I want to start here with you. All right. You grew up in Muny, right? I did. Yes.
And your dad was the head coach of Ball State during your kind of upbringing. Yes. Being the son of a division one head coach, really a head coach at any level, right? It's just different. Okay. I want to get an idea of what it was like growing up in the Lynch household, how your love of football was shaped, and how you knew coaching was something you wanted to pursue as well.
Yeah. I think that uh when you're growing up, you don't really think anything of it cuz it's your life and you live it and I'm the youngest of four, so um golden child. Yeah. Right. Right. Certainly there's times like I I laugh I I say stuff of like growing up or doing this and um my wife will be like, "Yeah, you know, that's not normal."
I'm like, "Okay, gotcha." Um but uh you know I didn't think much of it. I think certainly college football's changed a lot in the last you know 30 years. Um you know growing up in the mid 90s through you know the the early 2000s there at Ball State. Obviously it was division one and it was FBS and um there probably wasn't quite as much spotlight on head coaches or or what that looked like. Um social media.
Exactly. I think um my upbringing that way was very very normal in terms of being in Muny and and specifically through Delta schools and um had a great great experience there. Love Muny and uh certainly love going to to school in that school corporation. Um met a lot of great people, a lot of good families and all that good stuff. Um so I I don't know if I could give you something that I would say that I thought was that was wild that way. Um I do know I I knew I wanted to coach at a pretty early age.
Yeah. uh probably when I found out I wasn't, you know, going to play in the NFL or the NBA or whatever that was in, you know, fifth or sixth grade, right? Uh I think always being around it. I think one thing that's nice is um when your dad's a head coach, you're around it a lot and specifically in Muny because you're, you know, you're five minutes from the stadium all the time and things like that. So was always at practice, you're at games and and you know, just seeing the camaraderie and the the fun of that. Sure, you like the schematics and all that stuff, but generally speaking, it's it's more about the people and the fun just being around it.
100% 100%. And then, you know, I had an older brother. My oldest brother is eight years older than me and he certainly got in, you know, I was in, you know, middle school by the time he graduated high school or college and then, uh, went into, uh, coaching college and then my other brother followed suit and then I was kind of there. So, yeah. Yeah, that's that's really cool. Well, how did you see your dad balance the demands of a head coaching position at that level?
Yeah. and just and being around for you guys because it feels like just being, you know, an observer that you guys have a great family dynamic. I appreciate that. Um, yeah, I think, you know, he he obviously did an unbelievable job. And again, you don't know it when you're you're living it. I do now a little bit more.
I got five kids and my my oldest is is just turned 11. So, he's more getting into things and then, you know, it's kind of down the line, nine, six, four. And wow, got I got one turning one July 29th. So coming up goodness. Yeah. Uh but uh you know so I I I think yeah there were certainly times that that he missed things.
Um again it was normal to me. Uh but you never felt like you know he was not there and obviously certainly always um very in tune with what was going on and very supportive and um obviously had a great mom that way too that that made sure we were going places. But we certainly uh you know there's a lot of people that had it worse than us from from a family dynamic that way. So, um, yeah, certainly I it's as I've I've now that I've had kids, it's actually harder on me or probably was on him than the kids, right? You're going to play the game and you're having fun and you're with your friends and you're going doing your deal. So, uh, yeah, certainly you're going to miss some things, but uh, uh, I think there's there's more positive than negatives to it.
If you look at the if you find the positives, there will be positives, right? There's no question about that. the the experiences you get from being a coach's kid and whether it's being in locker rooms, being at some of the stadiums I've been at, being some of the places that you get to experience uh up close and personal and kind of know what's going on is uh you know, I wouldn't trade my upbringing for for anything. A kid who's in into sports, right? Like it's just you're in heaven. It's like, okay, well, dad's here sometimes.
But no, that's awesome. And so you said you had a great experience at Delta. Yes. And you know, college football becomes something that you're probably very interested and you land on Franklin. Yes. Under the legend.
Yeah. Mike Leonard. I mean, Bill Lynch, Mike Leonard. That's right. Okay. That's awesome right there.
Why Franklin? Yeah. So, really kind of funny story and you know, everybody's recruiting or decision on where they're going to go to college is different. Um, I was going through high school and and and really, you know, I played football, basketball, and I I say I played baseball. I played my senior year of high school in baseball, but loved football and basketball and I, you know, it's all I did. That's every summer and every year and and that's what I was doing.
And I knew I wanted to play. Um, and truthfully, you know, kind of my junior year. Um, I remember I had a conversation with my dad that, you know, he was I wanted to play in college and I had two brothers that played division one, you know, football. Yeah. And, uh, you know, he kind of said, "Well, if you really want to play, I think you should look at these schools." and they were smaller schools and things like that.
And um I remember for like a couple days I was kind of like, "Oh, wow." Like a little a little disappointed to be honest. Who wouldn't be? And then uh you know, I'm so thankful that I had a a dad that way that knew who I was and and what my really skill level was. And uh I had a great experience. So I I was kind of looking at division 3s.
Um and frankly, it was probably Franklin of Depal. And what really led me there, if I really am honest about it, Yeah. um you know should be more academic based and things like that but it probably was coach Leonard. Um he's the man and that staff we we used to go as Delta High School. We used to go to Bishop Dollar camp at Franklin College. So we did it for four years.
Um and I want to say probably my sophomore year of high school that was his first year and that staff had stayed so they always stayed in contact with me and you know I knew I wanted to play and I knew I like those guys so I went and did it and the rest is history and had a great experience. Met a lot of great people. Yeah. I mean, we were talking with coach Deetsz a couple weeks back just on it depends on what you want out of your college experience, right? Because like I knew I wasn't a division one football player, but Depal was the best choice I ever made for all the stuff after and what football the doors it opened for me, the connections you make. So, even though it's D3, you got to play under a legend and you probably met lifelong friends and have lifelong coaching connections.
100%. That that's Yeah, I wouldn't trade my experience for anything. Yeah. It seems like you guys uh had quite a bit of success at Franklin. We did. And that obviously success makes uh experience is that much better.
Obviously, I talked about that a lot with our staff and guys that we're recruiting, but um you know, but but more than that, you know, it was a lot of fun to play. Uh you never felt like it was a something that you had to do. You went and uh practices were fun. Certainly, everybody likes playing the games, but just the the whole uh experience of it all was um you know, something I wouldn't trade. Not not only just the people that you mentioned that you you meet and the different things that happen because of football or playing sports in general. Uh but football is always a little bit different just cuz it involves so many people.
Um that make it, you know, that much more. It's fun, man. I wouldn't trade those relationships for anything. But 2008 senior season, 11 and two. Yeah. The D3 elite 8.
Yeah. All right. Ranked eighth in the country. I don't know if that was the final rank. I don't know if you were higher actually than that. No, I think that's probably about right.
Okay. Yeah. We we uh so my freshman year we were 500 and I think it was coach's third year but he was you know I think his first year he might have won two and and it kind of grew. My sophomore year we went like nine and one. Our league was you know for lack of a better word probably whether it was just okay or didn't wasn't looked at uh that high. We didn't make the playoffs.
Um and certainly too at D3 at that time I think it's changed a little bit. They've added some teams but it was 32 teams that got in and you know how many teams are in division three. Yeah. To get an atlarge bid, it was pretty much, you know, got to win your conference. Really hard. Um, so we didn't make it in.
We were obviously a really good team. My the next year, uh, we won the league, got in, and we actually got beat in the first round. We were four seed on really a Hail Mary. It was like 30 yards, time expired. Come on. Um, by North Central College.
Okay. And that was kind of when they started getting good. Now, they are like a dynasty now. So, they weren't quite Yeah. Okay. So then the following year, same thing.
Um, we go nine and one in the regular season. Um, and then we won the conference. We won our first round playoff game. We went to to Otterbine and and and crushed them. Uh, and then we went to North Central College who just beat us and they were number one in the country. Yeah.
Um, it was like the first year Mount Union lost a conference game in like 20 years or whatever. So they weren't number one in the country. North Central and we beat them at their place and that was cool. And then we lost uh in the quarterfinals. Who did you lose to? Wheaten College really, which honestly, you know, North Central had beat them.
It's just one of those days they they they beat us, but um we were pretty good looking back, you know. Yeah, we were good. We were good. Um you never know how good you are until you go through it. We we we had a chance. Winning two playoff games.
That's a great Yeah, it was fun. That's a great experience. Who ended up winning though the three championship that year? Whitewater. Oh, of course. Yeah.
Yeah. And I think we would have played them the next week. Probably Lipold, right? Yeah. Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
Man, I' I've my brother played a shrine and I remember being so into d3 football. com just like who's good, what the situation is and that was like Whitewater and Mount Union and Try actually played a first round playoff game against Mount Union and lost 45 to 38. I don't know if you remember the name Eric Watt by chance. Oh yeah, he was the gaggliardi trophy winner. Try's quarterback and I was like this is awesome man. Try's going to be back.
That is one thing that um you know the D3 world too is yeah you go 45 38 because some of those games in the first round it's you know some of those conferences they're they're seventh place teams better than some of the teams that get in which is makes it tears you'd have to understand it but um that's what you know you talk about what dep's been able to do recently and things like that is super impressive. Yeah we're pumped about let me tell you it's good stuff. Uh we we like to say we set the foundation for success. Uh, but Mike Leonard, I want to go back to him. I mean, obviously you have your dad who's a huge inspiration for you, but I mean Mike Leonard's right there as well. You kind of knew you wanted to get into coaching, but having that great experience at Franklin under a guy like that, how did he kind of inspire your desire to coach as well?
Without a doubt. Um, you know, I think when you know you're getting into coaching, you you you probably take a lot from a lot of people. Certainly, you you are your personality. Um, I think that, uh, you know, I'd even go back to my two high school coaches in football and in basketball that that had a lot of impact on me in different ways. Um, but coach Leonard, again, I I just think with him, it's just the amount of joy people had playing. Um, and, you know, didn't matter who they were.
Uh, he treated the best player the same as the worst player. U, maybe that's a bad way to say it, but first. Yeah. And, um, again, I never felt like it was a drag and and I think that's really important. Um especially at the D3 level. Exactly.
Right. Um you're pulled in a lot of different directions. And so you are at at higher levels as well, but um it's just the the demands of it at the higher level. You're you're always in it. So you don't have a chance to catch your breath. Yeah.
Where at smaller levels, you do a little bit. Um which can be a negative, too. Yeah. Because guys, um you get distracted. Yes. I'm going to go do something else.
I get it. I get it. Yeah. you know, and I think he did he did a great job of balancing that um and and certainly why he's been so successful and I'm glad to see him back. We play him this year. What did you think of that?
Um that he's back. I was honestly surprised uh because once he got out, you know, he's always busy and he's doing stuff, but he he's he's funny that way. He's got a lot of hobbies and he's got different things that he does. So, um I was surprised, but I I knew it was a really good move for them. So, um, you know, they'll be they'll be bit they'll be b they'll benefit from it big time. Yeah.
Is that cool that you get to play him now as a head coach? Yes. Very exciting. That's that's really interesting. Okay. So, from there, go to Franklin, play under Mike Leonard.
You get that experience. All right. Your dad's the head coach at IU and you get that one year of kind of like, okay, introduction to what this is going to be. I imagine that greased the skids a little bit. Like, dad's the head coach. I can get this experience.
What was that introduction like? Because the pressure is higher there. It's funny. I I kind of had like a few opportunities right after school to get my feet wet. Um I had a chance to be a G at UNID, which is funny cuz cuz a year later things changed, right? Um then I also had a chance to stay at Franklin and I had a chance to um go to Depal, okay, as kind of a GA, whatever.
And the thing about the small school stuff where you go, well, why wouldn't go to IU? Again, things have changed a little bit in 15 years ago that time, but 16, whatever it is now, 17. Um, wow. Uh, but, uh, you're not. Yeah. Right.
Um, because at the smaller level, you would be you're kind of thrown into it. You'd be coaching. You'd be in a position and all that stuff. A lot gets thrown on you. So, they kind of said, "Hey, you need to think about that," which truthfully, I knew get an opportunity to go be in the Big 10 and see what that's all about. It was a no-brainer.
Yeah. Um, and it happened a little bit late. They had a guy they had a coach leave kind of late that opened up a spot um which obviously helped me. Yeah. Uh but it was great great learning experience uh not only from him but but the staff there and and the experience and um I was a you know worked with the quarterbacks. The the offense coordinator quarterback coach at that time was Matt Canada who's Oh really?
Yeah. He he's uh really smart and um was with some really great quarterbacks there and and learned a lot and um that's been very beneficial to me. kind of when you go to that level, it's like all right, this is how it's supposed to be done. And not that you don't do that the smaller levels, but um no, I get it. You don't there there's nothing that you you you don't sometimes at smaller levels you have to we won't worry about that because you don't have the manpower, you don't have the time or or whatever it is. So, um that part has been very beneficial for me.
Okay. So, you grow up obviously with your dad and you understand kind of from a son's perspective what that's all about, the demands of it. Getting to see him in action for a year though. Did that change some things? Well, it changed a lot for me of yes, you know the demands, but you don't until you do it, right? And I remember like the first you get cuz again the coach left late.
I started in the summer. Summers are a little bit slow especially then. summers are different now and just in terms of what you're allowed to do with with athletes and things like that, right? Um so it was a little bit of recruiting, it was a little bit of this and then um you know July is kind of a little bit of a quieter time and and most of the full-time coaches were out or it was kind of split and who had vacation, who didn't. So, uh, and then I remember when training camp started, fall camp started, it was like, oh, wow. Just the amount of the time and the commitment and and huge commitment what you had to do and and honestly how much you would do in 16 to 17 hours and not even know that all that time had passed.
So, I think a you knew that you really liked what you were doing. Um, but or you didn't have time to complete, but that I think with with my dad seeing that way and I was always around it. Um but probably more so what kind of leader he was and kind of person he is and right um you know the the respect he had in the building between coaches and players and um did a really good job of that without you know being a uh demeaning or anything that way. Right. Always seeing them as people. That's what coach Deetsz said he learned most from your dad was like they got to respect you before you demand something them.
You know what I mean? And I'm sure you've taken that. I think again that's it goes back to you know it's not fake. you're just who you are and yeah um certainly how he was raised that that that raised us and and all that stuff. Yeah. What just real quickly again on your dad though, what has he meant to you just in your life and your coaching career?
Yeah, you know I if you know I'd be lying if if id said that's not the guy you I try to emulate the most um in my life. Uh you know certainly one thing I I think that he also is you know always wants you to be your own person and get out there but uh he's meant a lot. you know, I think how I raised my kids or uh certainly kind of the foundation of our program and uh things like that, but uh you know, more importantly as as a dad and a husband and things like that, that's that's probably more than anything. Yeah, absolutely. That's awesome stuff right there. We we do we're big Bill Lynch fans on this podcast, but Okay, so one year at IU, was there any sort of I got to go make my own path here?
Uh sure. Um you know, I I it was lucky, right? I mean, my dad was a head coach in uh at that time in the Big 10 and and then I had a brother that was coaching in the Big 10 and then I had a brother that was coaching in the Max. So, like I didn't have, you know, when I say lucky, that doesn't mean you still you can be lucky, but you still got to be good when you're where chance happens. But, uh why I say that is I think sometimes guys and especially now once they get those roles, they kind of just feel like they got to stay and they never get to go coach. And I think that's really important.
Um, my dad's big thing with any of us at that time that were young and gas, as soon as you get that opportunity, you got to go. Love that. Um, and that was kind of means you're doing something right. That was kind of his philosophy to all of us, all the young guys and any guys that he's had through the years, it's it's a chance to go coach. And it's so true because, you know, you think you know and you might know X's and O's, you might know how to teach a specific skill set or position or whatever, but until you have to have true conversations with players and you know, a freshman beats out a senior or something like that, until you have to experience that and go through that and meet people on the human level of it, right? It's a totally different job.
Um, far more than X's and O's. I was just going to say there's X's and O's and then there's relationships. 100%. So when I got the chance at U Indie, um you know, coach Bob Bartameo, who is awesome, you talk about a legend, and I take a lot from him in and how to run a program, um as much as anybody, but uh you know, he took over at UND in 2010, and they were a solid team, but a 500 team. Um and then, you know, by our second year, we were we were really really good. And then third year on, and they've been what they've been since.
Um, so that experience of coaching was, you know, invaluable um that I wouldn't trade. Now, would there be a time of like, yeah, there's things that are nicer in the Big 10 facility-wise or this or that, but um the coaching piece of it, and again, going back to the people that I met there and um was around and whether it's players, coaches, etc. So, that was really good. But I I do believe that we're losing that a little bit right now because staffs have gotten so big. um the opportunity to go coach and and and see if you can do it and have to do it. You're ready for so much more when other opportunities come down the line, right?
That's really interesting. Okay. So, I you probably don't I would you definitely don't remember this, but you were at UND from 2010 to 2015. All right. So, I graduated high school in 2015 and I tagged along on a recruiting trip with my buddy to UND and you were his guy. Who was it?
His name was Travis Bear. Okay. From Northwood High School. I don't know if you remember, but I remember you specifically on the field because you guys were playing maybe like Grand Valley State that I could have been probably not in 15, but probably not there that or like Hillsdale maybe. Yes. Does that sound right?
For sure. Okay. So, that might have been it. But I remember getting that and coach Bart Bartameo had just had this aura about him. Short guy. But like when he was talking to you like Oh yeah.
You listened. You locked in. So, I remember at your press conference at Butler when you got the job, you said he really taught you how to coach. Why is that? Um, how how much time we got? Um, but, uh, if I I summed it up, detailed, organized, consistent, and he had a great abilities whether you say aura, whether you say Yeah.
But he was demanding but compassionate. Yeah. And the last the last the thing I would say he gets it, you know, and um he he was great with coaches, specifically young coaches, of of teaching you how to do it. Um and I would go back probably more than anything. very consistent, same person every day, knew what you were going to get, knew where you stood, coaches, players, everybody. But there was still a um great compassion and uh wasn't about himself, you know, still wanted whether it was players, whether it's coaches, you know, chase what you want to chase and help you get there.
Um but had a way of doing things and this is how we're going to do it and this is the standard and it never changed. Yeah. Um and that's why he was so successful. But, uh, I think anybody that's ever coached for him, played for him, um, you know, everybody kind of says it with a smile because he was the same guy every day and it was he's he's the best. Well, you have to be that way as a head coach. You I mean, just getting into like the corporate world as well.
Like sports is so huge and such so synonymous to everyday life. Like when you have a leader that is consistent, who will have the tough conversations with you, you know where you stand, but you believe in the mission, it's just so important. Oh yeah. Right. Oh yeah, it's just everything. And I think that's probably you just summed up, you know, but leadership, right?
Like how how do we get to the goal we all want? Well, I think he was great. You know, not everybody is experienced as him or, you know, frankly, especially at smaller schools, but even big schools, right? When you got some young guys, you don't know if this is what they love to do, right? They're figuring out what's next. They're figuring out what their passions are.
They're figuring out a lot of things. Yeah. So, he was also great at meeting people where they're at. And you might have been a 26-y old but knew this is what you were doing. And I think his expectations for those guys maybe versus some other guys were different. Yeah.
But the standard always was the same of what you were asked to do which was pretty cool. That's really cool. Yeah. A lot of success. I guess 10 and three, 10 and two, nine and two, 10 and two. I mean, what an experience for you.
I mean, who said this? I forget who said this. I think it was Curt Signetti. Like nobody cares if you're on if you're on a staff that isn't successful. Like you're learning a lot, but no one I mean no one's going to hire you. So it took him a while to get to where he is, but being a part of that success, that's as much of learning as anything.
I don't know Kurt Signetti personally. I know a couple guys that work for him. I think there's a lot of similarities between the two. Oh, really? I really do. Um just in terms of how they run a program and what's important and those things.
um from a football standpoint, maybe not personalitywise, but that that that I do believe. Um and why I say that it's so true of sometimes you learn a lot from a staff that was, you know, three and nine or whatever. Doesn't mean you're a bad coach. Or sometimes, you know, you did a great job coaching to get six wins or whatever it is. Uh but absolutely that nobody, especially now, you know what I mean, in the new world of immediate gratification. Exactly.
And that's what makes it fun and that's what makes it yeah uh so entertaining and why the college football playoff is what it is and right you know I'm laughing just watching social media a week ago just everybody picking out who the 12 teams are going to be in FPS and it's like wow you have no idea what those teams are going to look like and if you miss the playoffs it's just an epic failure right you won 10 games but you're gone you know what I mean that's so funny that's good stuff right there all right so great experience at U Indie find your way back home to my right you have a variety of roles you're work your way up running backs, offensive coordinator, finally associate head coach, all under Mike new. Yes. Okay. So, talk me through your progression with Ball State and I'm assuming coming back home, your dad wants to coach there. Like, that had to be pretty cool. Yeah.
I So, a lot of reasons. One, you're from my um obviously stayed close to Ball State. My brother, my oldest brother, not my oldest brother, my middle brother, he played at Ball State from what was it, 2002 to 2006. talking Joey. Joey, he had a lot of success. Yeah.
So, he then got into his coaching career. He was only gone from Ball State for two years. So, then from 2009 to 2019, he had different roles at Ball State, right? Um, so I was always close to the program, following it. And then you're at UND. Um, you're always going to camps there.
You're that's where a lot of the times you're, you know, evaluating players and things like that. So, knew of that that coach knew obviously got the job. Knew coach knew a little bit. He played at Ball State in the early 90s. Yeah. Um and it was kind of I was the last hire.
Uh so things going shaking out and then um I actually met him more I went up to Muny and just kind of went and hung out with those guys and then I got to know the offensive line coach a little bit and kind of the story went they're going back. It's the last hired running backs who we got talking to them guys and uh the offensive line coach said why don't we hire Joey's brother and my brother was like all for it. He didn't really promote it and then coach new was like bring him in. did a little interview and an hour later I had the job. So it was one of those things that was awesome and then you know get lucky and like I said you got to be good when you get lucky and learned a ton from coach new. Um you know offensively it was awesome for me to get into more of a pro style, right?
Um he was coming from the New Orleans Saints with Shawn Payeyton and obviously Drew Brees and just you could pick his brain about things that were things I hadn't been exposed to yet. um that has been really beneficial for me specifically getting into this role. So, um, and then what I loved about coach was, you know, he he was big on helping guys advance and you know, we you had some turnover and then, um, when my brother did leave and and went to Colorado State and and was the OC there, you know, I was coach knew that I would be interested in it and but I but I had gotten more responsibilities through those couple years that I knew I'd have a good shot and um, when that happened, I was obviously really really grateful and then, you know, next year we we win the MAC championship. So, that was pretty cool. That's a What's calling plays like, you know, uh it's probably not all that you think about because certainly there's a there's a there's a gut to it and you got to have a feel for it, but um one each team's different.
Each game's different. Yeah. Uh got to play to your strengths big time and and so many other factors, but there's so much work that's done Sunday through Wednesday and Thursday as well. Thursday usually you're kind of cleaning it up, but I I shouldn't say that. There's work all week. But, um, generally speaking, Lisa, I have such a good feel in the prep and the communication with staff and communication quarterbacks specifically of like, right, here's kind of what we're going to expect on third and four to six, third and seven to 10.
Um, see, I love that just like situational football. People don't understand. You have a set of plays for third and six, you have a set of plays for third and two. What are we going to do on first down, fourth? when do we go for it? Stuff like that.
Those change week to week obviously. Um or you know you're really successful at some certain concept on third down. Well, how can we wrinkle it, window dress it, get people to the same spots? We're comfortable with that. Uh I love that part of it, you know. Um but uh you know, sometimes calling plays is a lot of fun.
Sometimes it's not. Sometimes not. It kind of depends. Uh but no, I like it. I and I tell you I really like it as a head coach doing it one year because you do feel like you have control of the whole game. Yeah.
And I think that's beneficial. You do play a Butler. I do. I like that. Um we were we were really I thought pretty good on defense so you could play to that strength. Good kicking game.
Um I knew we could really run the ball. Uh and we were able to do some things that way that I thought kept us in some games. We got to find ways, you know, not to get into what we're going to be this year, but we got to find ways more explosive. Um because I think the way we're going to play football is is pretty good that way. But you you don't have that feel of I say this is when you call plays as the head coach of okay it's third down I have to get a first down here. Sometimes plays to punt and uh see that's hard for people to understand.
It's hard when you're just the coordinator. Yeah. Especially when it's everybody nowadays everything's stats. What were they on this? Well did you win or lose? That's the bottom line.
That's the bottom line. What do what do we feel about maction? Those Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday games. Did you like that? Uh, I did. I grew to like it.
Well, like anything when you're telling me you don't like sleing and like slam mission that I don't like. Um, you know, a few years in my career I was in the box. Didn't probably affect me as much. But that's the play. But, um, here's why I liked it. And I've told guys that are new to the MAC or um, you know, guys that would come in to our staff or uh, it's funny.
I was this summer I was talking to some of the the newer guys at Ball State about their first year of matching which they didn't have the full slate but so if you can get on the Tuesday night matching game okay this is this is the benefit right okay okay you would know so yeah no doubt now Tuesday night generally speaking you didn't love the crowds that was you know it was kind of a felt like a practice at times in the weather because you know sometimes during the day it was 55 and nice and then kickoff was 28 and windy feels like every Matt game is 100% 100% dark and but uh but why I say Tuesday was cool as a for family. Mhm. So generally speaking in college football and everybody's really the same people you talk to you kind of go through your work week by Thursday it kind of winds down a little bit and then whatever your tra travel schedule is the next day, right? But your Thursday was a Sunday, right?
So your family was home. Oh, there you go. you got to do some things because a lot of times on Thursday night if you get a little time and all that well one kid's got to practice here kids got this you're doing all this which is cool too but generally speaking a little bit less to do and then the same thing on Saturday Wednesday night was usually a little bit ahead of the game that you might get to watch the 8:00 game at night on college football or okay whatever. So, there's some benefits that way um for the balance of it. I will say I like better what I'm doing right now with traditional Saturdays, but uh it's not all bad. It's not all bad.
And I think it is great exposure for those players. Yeah. Um you know, people watch% the craziest plays you'll ever see happen in action. It Yeah, it it Yes. I always we always I always laughed about that because there was only a couple games on so it got blown up, but like those happened every Saturday, you know what I mean? Um, but uh I do think it it obviously makes sense for for for the league and for the players and um getting some of that uh notoriety.
Yeah. You know what I think is most impressive about the MAC is through all the changes of college football, it's stayed no one's poaching the MAC teams like it's staying true to itself and it's such a good mid- major for lack of a better term conference. I agree the the league travel and things of that nature. I know it's changed a little bit with UMass and and SAK State joining the uh football only and we'll see where that goes. I think each year is different now at that, but the whole of the Michigan Ohio Yeah. league and and obviously Ball State, but um good good natural rivalries and and great travel.
That's awesome. Who's the most talented player you've ever coached at Ball State? Not to put you on the spot, but to put you on the spot, I'd have to go position, you know. Okay. Um, we had we had some really good running backs. Um, you know, being in Indiana, obviously.
Wait a minute. You coached Carson Steel. Carson Steel was really good. Okay. Yeah. Um, there was a running back before him and I know Carson's with Philadelphia.
Um, there was a running back before him named Caleb Huntley that was really good. Um, he was with the Falcons unfortunately to Achilles. Um, I think he'd still be rolling. Um, we had a guy just for a year named Walt Fletcher at running back that's that's still playing in Canada. Uh, that was a great player. Nice.
Um, you know, couple wide outs. There's a kid named Justin Hall that's that's played really well in the know that name. Um, what is it? The XFL or the USFL or whatever it is now. Okay, got it. Um, that's done a great job.
Uh, Riley Neil. Riley Neil was the quarterback when I first got there. I was coaching running backs. Oh, got it. Okay. Um, and then what his last year was 18.
And then after him, there's a quarterback named Drew Plit that had a lot of success all league and we won the conference championship with him. Yeah. Um and then you know my last year we had some we had some really good skilled talent that that's kind of now other places but uh they're they were um our quarterback was really good. He's at two lane now. Um we had some good wide outs and things. Were you were you did you coach our boy Aaron He?
Oh uh my my first year. Okay. So I say I coached I was running back cuz he was a senior fifth year senior receiver but awesome and got to know him a little bit. His younger brother we're really good friends with. He's the man. And then the the the other Ball State player that that you know he's he's fighting for the starting center job with Baltimore, but Danny Penner who was here with the Colts, he was he was Chris loved him, man.
One of the best football players I've I've been around. I mean, yeah, that's that's really cool. I People don't understand there's such good talent in that conference. I kind of went through the running backs and quarterbacks cuz I specifically coached them, but um you know, there's some really good defenders as well. That's cool. All right.
Great experience at Ball State. I imagine the goal for you was always to become a head coach at some point. Yeah. You kind of that clicks like I could do this. Yes. Butler becomes open.
What was that experience like? Well, um you know knew I wanted to be a head coach. I think a lot of people say they want to do that. What it still has to make sense, right? Um it has to make sense for a job that a you know you have a good chance to not a good chance but you have a shot to get. You know some people um it makes sense for your family, all those things in in a place that frankly, especially for your first job, you want to have a job where you feel like you can have success of course.
Um whether it's uh you know administratively, which is great, but uh also like know the footprint, know what you're getting into and know the the surrounding areas and things like that. Yeah. Um I think especially the the smaller um level you go to because you're going to be with a little bit limited staff-wise and things like that of what we're going to do and how we're going to do it. Um so uh certainly when Butler was open uh it was it was strange, right? Cuz I was at at Ball State Butler head coach gets it and it's like okay I I I I want to try to get this job. Um so I I you know I worked on it pretty quickly and and and it happened really fast.
Uh but uh I I was really excited uh to get the opportunity to interview and then obviously things went well. So yeah, um you know, a place that I've always followed obviously my my history with Butler and and my family's history and uh not only did my dad play there and coach there and um that was his first head coaching job. Coach Bart's first head coaching job. No way. Yeah. So uh those just written in the stars.
Yeah, that part a little bit. And then you know I've had cousins go there. I've had different uh a lot of people in my family have been around Butler. So, I've always followed it. Knew a lot of the coaches um from the staff that was just before me, but then then the staff before that I knew really well as well with you know some of the Depal connection. Jeff Warus of course um knew a lot of those guys.
So, always always followed Butler, always saw him. Been in Indiana my whole time. So, you see him at camps and um always thought the PFL was a really cool league. Yeah. Did that being such a prestigious academic institution play into it all? Sure.
I I think anytime you go to a school that has great notoriety like Butler, right, um it's it's got a it's got a great reputation not only in the Midwest but now nationally, of course. Um thanks Brad Stevens. Yeah, exactly. Appreciate it. Yeah. No, no, no question.
um that it it makes it exciting because you don't have to necessarily go in with a viewbook and and sell, you know, this this and this, right? Um certainly you still have to sell and and you got to be a great salesman, but butler has a great reputation and um you're going to recruit really good families and you're not just recruiting the player. Yeah. Um it's a family decision and it's uh a great investment in them, but you get a really good chance to meet people and get to know them and and know who you're getting. Uh that in turn makes it a lot of fun to coach. Yeah.
No question about it. It just it makes the recruiting pitch a lot easier. Right. There's no question about that. And the type of kid you get, you know, and that's not to say other kids are like bad or anything. I'm just saying like Butler attracts a certain type of individual who's probably pretty diligent when it comes to football as well.
Yes. Was it funny to you that you traded places with coach U a little bit? You know, uh, coaching's crazy. There's there's so many stories like that that's probably happened. Yeah. Um, but the other thing is like I had known Coach U really since I started um going back to a coaching clinic we did at Indiana, but he's really close.
I I I mentioned uh Matt Canada who I g for. So did he. And then he worked with at different places. So we we always kind of had cross paths and I I knew who he was, right? Um and knew some guys that worked for him and things like that. Uh so I, you know, he he was very beneficial to me helping me, you know, kind of this.
We were passing each other on the way to work there for a little while, but uh and still it still has been helpful that way. and and certainly obviously anything I could have helped in my w would have for sure. Okay. So, one year under your belt, what surprised you about being a head coach. What did I mean because I'm I don't want to say it's like baptism by fire drink or a fire hose because you've obviously had a long successful coaching career, but I imagine there's some differences of being head coach. What stuck out to you?
Um, you know, nothing really football-wise, right? uh you know, certainly you have to make some in-game decisions uh that that you didn't as a as a coordinator. Um but when you're an offensive coordinator, sometimes you're more in tune to that because of clock management is generally what that comes down to. Now you're not necessarily make making the decision whether we're going for it or or whatever it is. But uh we've all kind of developed that philosophy by the time you know I got an 11-year-old thinks he could do that right now. So of course we all do.
We all play video games. Okay. Exactly. Exactly. So, uh, that part, you know, certainly some some differences, but not not crazy. Um, you know, I I would just say, and I don't mean this in a negative way at all, but, um, how many people that you talk to on a daily basis that don't deal with football, but they have a direct effect to your program?
You're the CEO, man. So, so how much time that you have to all lot to some things that way? Um, that, uh, a lot I really like, too. Hey, goes back to people that you're meeting. Mhm. Hey, how can this, you know, make our program better?
What what opportunity does this give some of our players? Um, so things like that is cool, but that you definitely have to balance that a little bit. Uh, and decide when you can do that, especially in season of like, you know, try I try not to do a lot of that on Monday or Tuesday. Yeah. Okay. So, six and six first year really.
So, I'm looking at the schedule here just like a lot of close games. Yes. Just within a possession or two. What can we expect this year or what I guess you're like, "All right, I got my proof of concept here. What can I do here in 2026? What can we expect?"
Yeah, I think we'll be very similar to what we were. Um, and you look at that record last year that could have been uh 10 and two and could have been two and 10. So, how how do you how do you get over that hump? You know, football is such a uh fine line and and and such a situational game and uh you know, whether you say the ball bounces one way or not, but the preparation and learning from some of the things that we had shortcoming wise, we're playing for first place in November and get beat by one, get beat by score here, get beat by five here, and it's turn literally one point Tim whether it's turnover margin, whether it's, you know, finishing some drives, we kicked too many field goals in the red zone. So things easy you can point on paper, but how do you improve them? And obviously that's what we're we set out this spring and then certainly get into fall camp when you when you truly have your your roster and your team.
So um I'm really excited. I think we got really good leadership. We had good leadership last year, too. You attract that at a place like Butler. Um but I always think that's cool about football, too. Like who's next and and you kind of seen that um who those guys are going to be.
So very optimistic about what we have. I love our schedule. We have seven home games. Um, nice. Which is, you know, we had five last year, so big time. Uh, we got to capitalize on that for sure.
Um, but, uh, it's it's it's we got a good opportunity. Do you do you have success recruiting Indianapolis? We do. I imagine we we had 13 from central Indiana this year in the freshman class, which, uh, really proud of that. That's a big number. Um, yeah, it was.
And it's a big freshman class, but, uh, we did really good job. And, you know, we're going to continue to do that. And can't talk about the the the class of, uh, the next class yet, but but we've already got a couple central Indiana kids to say yes. So, okay, cool. I'm pretty excited about that. That's awesome.
Do you Okay. Do you see obviously NIL transfer portals a thing? I was interested to ask you I just added this question this morning actually because I was thinking about it. Do you see like a cumulative push down effect and how does do those two things play a big role even at the FCS level? Um yes and no. Okay.
Yes, you deal with it because the questions come up and how how can this happen? Right. Um, of course, and no, from a standpoint of we're not necessarily actively, that's not going to be our number one selling of like, hey, we got this opportunity for you. Yeah. Yeah. Um, come take it, you know.
Uh, so, but you might be recruiting somebody that had that at another school and looking for a different opportunity for whatever reason. So, um, certainly it's it's there and there is so much education that most people need on it. Yeah. um and don't quite understand it. And I get it. And that that that goes back to even when it's not much different than when I was at University of Indianapolis and we're division two and yes, we have athletic scholarships.
Okay. Well, what does that mean? Right. Okay. Um how do we split up these 36 scholarships to field a football team, right? You know, half the team's on scholarship, half the team's not or whatever it was.
I see. Um so there's always been that education even at Ball State. Okay. What does a scholarship mean? What do you get with a scholarship? And I know it's changed a little bit through all this now and really the last, you know, 18 months, right?
Um, seriously, it's always changed. Yeah. But I I I do think that's that's always been in recruiting of just, you know, what are the rules? What are you playing by? And and here we are. So, wow.
Um, yeah, it's it's uh it's it's it's crazy time because everybody's going to look at what's going on at Ohio State, Indiana, you know, in Big 10 SEC and um not what have you. Like it's there's there's the few, right? And there's the there's the 60 or whatever it is. The loud few who are five million bucks to come play. What a time. Allegedly.
Alleged. I don't know. I don't know what people who knows what's true. Exactly. Do you see a lot of Well, I guess you've been there a year, but are you able to retain most your guys or is it truly a lot of roster turnover, you know? Um, yeah, we're able to retain a lot.
It's funny when I got there, there was a ton in the transfer portal. Yeah. And it what I learned on that, and it'd be funny if if I talked to those guys a year later. Yeah. is where college athletics has gotten to. Their coach left, took another job, and it was like, well, this is what we do.
We get in the portal, right? And it's like, no, you want to be a Butler, right? You came here for a reason. So, like when I had those conversations and you're kind of rerecruiting or whatever, right? A lot of them it was like, what are you looking for? Well, you got that right here, you know?
So, exactly. Um, that part is a little bit different. Yeah. Uh, because I don't think that was normal, you know. Um, yeah, we've certainly, you know, we had, uh, you know, I think five guys that could have came back that got opportunities to to go to grad school somewhere. Um, we only lost one underassman that went and took a a scholarship somewhere else.
Okay. Um, so not as bad as, you know, what I was kind of facing in the MAC. I do think there'll be some at some point this will balance out uh, you know, with some legislation and things like that, but we can hope. When when does that happen? I don't know. Um, and I still think, you know, in a lot of things that are negative, there's a lot of positive what's going on for student athletes and players and things like that.
But, um, rebuilding the roster is the hardest thing right now is is as it's gone to revenue sharing is our roster has to get down to 105 players. I see. When I got there, there was 119. So, didn't want to go in. You don't want to cut players. One, they have success.
A, I don't, that's just not what I'm about is if you're doing the things the right way and things that nature. Um, so it took you want to be part of the program. So the first class I had was a smaller high school class, took a little bit bigger this year. It'll kind of balance it out, but it's a three or four year process to get that right. I see. And football's so unique because in all sports, I don't want to speak that way, but you know, you need x amount of quarterbacks, you got to have x amount of O line, x amount of D line.
It is unique to facilitate practice, facilitate everything. So, wow. Um, spent a lot of time on that just of second guessing yourself on what's the best move and what's right. So, right. It's just such a weird time, right? And and it benefits people and some people, you know, I find it interesting so many guys enter the transfer portal and if you don't find a team, you're so kind of, right?
Like, I mean, it stinks. Um, it's not good. No. And and you know, there was always transferring, right? Right. Um there was a lot different rules about it, but so so that part isn't always new.
like there I can remember even back when I first started like all right something happened on your roster and maybe you had a kid you know quit or you had an injury or you had I remember some of the hey you know I think we might want to look into maybe getting a transfer getting an older kid at this position if if somebody's available right well now sometimes it happens some now you know they're available but it's just it's so much faster and what's real and the immediate eligibility piece I feel like is a positive in a way because I mean sitting out a year or two like that's tough just if the situation's better for you but now it's like it changes the recruiting philosophy especially at the highest level it's like okay we're going to recruit this this and this but these positions we're going to take the transfer portal right like it used to be a supplement now it's like we're banking on yeah and I think it's it's it's program philosophy it is that's why culture is so important of what you're going to do and um you're building teams a lot of times instead of programs I'm lucky I don't have to do that.
Exactly. I I wondered if Butler was like insulated in that way, you know. No, it's And that's the cool thing about Butler. There's there's such a pride in the place anyways. Exactly. Um that you know, they've been playing football since 1893.
There's there's a lot of uh people that are very proud and the people our players are very proud to be there, right? Um not saying opportunities don't come up or whatnot, but by and large the families that are coming, they know the investment. and they know why they're going to to Butler and it's uh yes they love playing in the football program and they love being around it but there's a bigger side of this and keeping the main thing the main thing and um you know being a great student and getting a great education and open up the doors and hopefully football leads them to something as well. That's what it's all about. Keep the main thing the main thing. I heard Bill Lynch say that 105 times in my life.
So I think I did too. That's awesome. I heard that growing up that not in a football uh thing. Yeah. All right. A couple more for coaches have been awesome.
Uh, but you played D3. Yep. You've coached D2, D1, now FCS. Yes. All right. At the end of the day, is it just football or what are the stark differences between levels besides maybe talent level or that people don't quite understand as you get to these different levels?
A I would say 1,000% football is football. Okay, good. Um, love to hear that. I I at the college level there really isn't much difference. um it's talent, it's size and its speed. Um and then obviously the money side of what can be done.
Yeah. At those levels facilitywise, training wise, foodwise, etc. Um but the football and what's going to be called on third and six isn't different at Butler, Texas&M, wherever. And I say that with my brother being there. Sweet. I just learned that yesterday.
Cool. He and I like, you know, talking enough that, you know, they shared ideas and hey, what are you guys doing? And Red's, you know, things like that. It's that part isn't different because it all becomes comparable. Um, when we're going to play, you know, University of Dayton in October, that game and our skill level and their skill level will be very similar. So, it's going to be a heck of a battle.
Yeah. No different than when, you know, Ohio State Michigan play, right? Whatever it is, right? So, that part Yes. I think is very different. And then the difference too, I would say the higher levels you go is obviously the amount of support you have in terms of coaches and and trainers and things like that.
So anything like that just makes it feel bigger. But then the amount of people it touches and how many people because we saw it in our state, right, with obviously the awesome success IU had and what they did, but you it's the largest lim living alumni in the United States. That a lot. Yeah. But the excitement that that brought and then it's it's everywhere and you can say, "Oh, this guy came out of the woodwork and he wasn't a fan." Well, he went to school there.
Yeah. So, yes, he was a fan, you know what I mean? But, um, that that part of it, you just you wouldn't get as much at at the smaller levels. So, um, but but certainly if you come out to a game on Saturday, once you see the level and comparisons of it, it's not going to change much. Yeah, that's really cool. I Well, Joey, really quick.
Yeah. QB coach at Texas A&M, man. Yeah, that's pretty cool. What has he told you about I mean, Mike Elco, I mean, Texas A&M feels like they're on a rocket ship like coaching in the SEC, man. Yeah. So, you know, he's he's been in the SEC now for I don't know if this is like six seasons or whatever it is now.
Um, but he but he he he he started when Coach Elco started there and um obviously really likes him and and and loves texting him. I actually went um we're our season was done. It was towards the end they their playoff game against Miami. I took my oldest down um and kind of took that all in and we were on the field during college game day and all that stuff. That was pretty cool. That's awesome.
Um but uh he you know I think he's really excited about what they have and he's got a great quarterback and does he like it down there? He does. They they really like living there. College Station, man. You know, they don't play. Yeah.
College Station is is you know, obviously Texas, but Texas&M football and all that. Um it didn't remind just me personally being there for 48 hours or whatever I was. But um you know that typical big college town a little bit bigger but kind of Bloomingtonish in terms of that. So um certainly some familiarity that way. Yeah. It's just different down there.
That's really cool. It's And to have someone like not only your dad, but him to bounce ideas off of. That's got to feel Yeah. Great. For sure. For sure.
So, um you know, we we talk football a lot. Probably annoy people, but I like it. You guys get deep in the weeds, right? That's right. All right. Last thing for you.
I ask all my guests this and uh no better person than you because you've spent your whole career here in Indiana, but what makes sports special in Indiana? People. Um I think there's so much passion for I goes to high school to start with whether it's a Friday night in football whether it's basketball the tournament you know there's some lifelongers I say in the same sense uh you know went out of class basketball and certainly there's probably something to that um I also think you know I could get in the weeds of that but a little bit more of there's a lot more to do than you know you can watch a lot of games now and do those different things that that maybe is declined attendance and things but um how important high school sports are to the communities. Yeah. Um that people care, student bodies care, uh and want to get out there. I love that piece of it.
Um you know, certainly love my time of playing high school athletics, but um you know, I said I got a bunch of nieces and nephews and I'm the youngest, so they've all kind of finished and are doing their high school stuff and how important it is. Yeah. Um and then, you know, I I think that you given day you saw the success Indiana had and what that brought to our state and how many people were passionate about it, right? um I think is awesome and and I know if if Purdue did the same thing that would it would be the exact same thing for sure. Um just gota unlock it you know and I you know the success you know we had some success at Ball State and things like that what that brought and the people that um you know are passionate about athletics and obviously it's a sports state without a doubt and I think specifically Indianapolis that that helps with Butler is you know we're synonymous with sports here in Indie so um it's it's a great state to live and a great state to coach I can tell you that.
That's awesome stuff. on the high school stuff. I mean, just growing up and then working in several different stations in Indiana, the way we even cover high school sports makes it so huge. Well, I I listen to you uh on the mornings on 1075 to Yeah. I get I get I get a little feel for what's going on, where we're going to be. I'm about two Red Bulls deep.
Who who who you're excited about, you know? I'm like, okay. Yeah. You know, I sometimes disagree with you. I'll be honest. That's fine.
No, it's okay. I that you're not the only one, let me tell you. Okay. No, that's awesome. I just high school sports in this state. Nothing like it.
No question. It is. It really isn't. And and I say that like I haven't been out of the state, but I've been to other states for games and recruiting or certainly um in recruiting, you know, you're you're over in another state and you're recruiting a football player that plays basketball or something like that and maybe go to the game and you're kind of like really, right? So, I covered sports in Tallahass. Some great talent.
One time I went to New Orleans. Yeah. And I was in I went to a basketball game and there was phenomenal talent on the field or on the court and I'm telling you there was 45 people and I was like this game was in Indiana. This would have 8,000 people. The gym you have a much much more like respect level for the gyms and the buyin. Like I'm I'm covering sports in Tallahassing South Georgia.
I'm like what is this? Like I'm I'm like falling asleep doing this. Like this is crazy. But uh that's awesome coach. This has been great. Congrats on all your success.
Thank you. Appreciate wish you the best of luck this year. We're gonna be following Butler good and uh shouting the good news of what happens. You know, it's going to be awesome. So, appreciate you, Coach Kevin Lynch, head coach of Butler Football. Appreciate you listening.
This is Get In Sports. We have a great lineup this football season.