Ball State Looking For Next Football Coach

Before coming to Ball State

Ball State University’s head football coach is leaving the program. Pete Lembo, who has amassed a 33-29 record in five seasons with the Cardinals, will become assistant head coach for the University of Maryland. Ball State President Paul Ferguson says Lembo’s "remarkable leadership development" abilities will be missed.

Lembo will be special teams coordinator for the Terripans.

During his time at the Muncie school, the Cardinals appeared in back-to-back bowl games: The Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl in 2012 and the 2013 GoDaddy Bowl. The program’s facilities received upgrades while Lembo was at the helm, including new Scheumann Stadium turf and opening of the Ronald E. and Joan M. Venderly Football Team Complex. Big wins during the Lembo era include Indiana University in 2011 and 2012 and the University of Virginia in 2013.

Lembo says "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. I tried to make a difference every day and I am proud of our many accomplishments on and off the field."

Four players Lembo coached at Ball State are currently in the NFL: Jonathan Newsome of the Indianapolis Colts, Eric Patterson of the St. Louis Rams, Willie Snead of the New Orleans Saints and Keith Wenning of the Cincinnati Bengals.