Who are the Ball State Coaches?

Head Coach Pete Lembo is coaching in just his second game as the leader of Ball State.

Pete Lembo is entering his first season as the head coach of Ball State, replacing the fired Stan Parrish (the guy wasn't all that great). Lembo is entering his 20th season as a head football coach, coming over from FCS Elon. At Elon (2006-2010) Lembo put together a solid program. Elon went 9-3 in 2009 and 6-5 last season, amassing a record of 35-22 while he was calling the shots (they were 14-42 before he got there, so he knows what he is doing).

Before Lembo was at Elon, he was the head coach at LeHigh where he lead the program (2001-2005) to an overall record of 44-14.

Like any head football coach, Lembo is facing an uphill battle in his first year. Lembo inherits a team that went 4-8 last season, ranked near the bottom in most offensive categories and had a hard time stopping anyone on defense. Facing USF in just his second game of his career, on the road in Tampa against a very athletic team, this is going to be hard for him. I am sure Lembo will have a solid game plan coming out of the tunnel for his team, but the question will be can his team execute and somehow win this game?

Rich Skrosky is the offensive coordinator for Lembo and Ball State. This is his first season as the Ball State defensive coordinator. He spent the last five seasons with Lembo at Elon, first as the offensive line coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator. Under his play-calling, Elon became a pass happy offense, averaging 291.5 passing yards a game in the Southern Conference (FCS) and ranked in the top 20 in passing efficiency.

Like Lembo, this is his first season on the job and things are a little bit different at the FBS level, especially the speed of the game and the overall ability of the defenses he will be calling plays against.

If Skrosky continues to call for heavy passing attacks (Ball State has some questions at running back this season), this could play right into the hands of the No Fly Zone defense that will be looking to make big plays in the secondary. Skorsky will have to find a balance on offense and try to find the best fit for the personnel he has on the roster.

Jay Bateman is the defensive coordinator for Ball State, entering his first year on the sidelines (the Cardinals made some major coaching changes over the off season).

Bateman was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach while at Elon (named to assistant in 2010). Before that he was also on Lembo's LeHigh coaching staff. While he was the coordinator at Elon, Bateman's defenses allowed just 248.3 yards per game. While at Lehigh, his defense ranked 6th in the country (FCS level) in run defense, showing his ability to coach.

Bateman has a lot of work to do in turning this Ball State defense around that allowed nearly 400 of offense per game last season. He has proven he can coach up a defense and has a knack for slowing down the run, but the question is, can he do it early in his first season and against the running backs of USF?

It is going to be a rough first season for Ball State. They brought in some solid and respected coaches, but the HC, and defensive and offensive coordinators are all coming from the FCS level and will be facing a BCS conference team on the road and a group of players that across the board are faster. It will be a hard fight for these coaches and their team.