After nine years and eight losing seasons, the Ball State Cardinals have officially pulled the plug on the Mike Neu era. The 2024 campaign was make or break for Neu, but Ball State is just 3-7 on the year — yet another regression from the Cardinals’ 7-1, MAC-title-winning 2020 outing.
With a “now hiring” sign outside Muncie, Ind., for the first time in nearly a decade, which five potential candidates make the most sense?
Replacement Candidates for Mike Neu at Ball State
Neu is a beloved figure at Ball State. He played quarterback for the program from 1990 to 1993, when he led the Cardinals to a MAC title and was even enshrined in the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004. They were also Neu’s first coaching gig as a graduate assistant in 1994, but from 1998 to 2008, he flourished in the Arena Football League.
After a couple of years as a scout for the New Orleans Saints, he returned to the sidelines as a QBs coach for the Tulane Green Wave (2012-13) and the Saints (2014-15) before the Cardinals offered him his first head coaching role in 2016.
Coming off back-to-back losing seasons under Pete Lembo, Ball State hoped for a quick turnaround under a fresh face — the program didn’t get it.
Over the next four seasons, Neu went 15-33, but the aforementioned 2020 season earned him a new lease. Yet, 6-7, 5-7, 4-8, and finally 3-7 campaigns later, the lease was up.
Athletic director Jeff Mitchell announced in a statement that offensive line coach Colin Johnson will serve as the interim head coach for the final two games. That’s the present, but what’s the future for the Cardinals?
Bryant Haines, DC, Indiana Hoosiers
Bryant Haines has quickly made a name for himself as one of college football’s top defensive minds. Since following Curt Cignetti from James Madison to Indiana, he’s turned the Hoosiers’ defense into a powerhouse, ranking in the top 10 in scoring defense (13.8 ppg) and total defense (255.5 ypg) heading into Week 12.
Haines was instrumental in JMU’s seamless transition to the FBS, where his 2022 unit allowed just 20.9 points and 290.2 yards per game, ranking top 10 nationally in multiple defensive categories. With deep regional ties, familiarity with the program as a former player, and a proven track record, he could be an ideal fit for Ball State.
Eddie Faulkner, RBs Coach, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Cardinals appear to value alums, so why not kick the tires on Eddie Faulkner? Faulkner grew up in the Muncie area and spent several years as an assistant coach at Ball State:
- Graduate assistant, 2003-04
- RBs coach/special teams, 2005-08
- Offensive coordinator/RBs coach, 2009-10
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However, for the past six seasons, he’s been the Pittsburgh Steelers’ RBs coach. While Faulkner could have no desire to return to the collegiate ranks, perhaps being the head of his own program for the first time has enough allure.
Jason Eck, HC, Idaho Vandals
Jason Eck has emerged as one of the premier head coaches in the FCS. Now in his third season leading Idaho, Eck has transformed the Vandals into a Big Sky powerhouse, guiding them to back-to-back playoff appearances, including a 2023 run to the FCS quarterfinals.
Before Idaho, Eck served as South Dakota State’s offensive coordinator during their rise to prominence and was Ball State’s OL coach from 2009 to 2010. With his knack for elevating programs and experience across various levels of college football, Eck fits the mold of a coach who could revitalize the Cardinals.
Tyler Stockton, Co-DC, Boise State Broncos
Cardinals fans should be familiar with Tyler Stockton, who spent the previous five years with the program as the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach. In fact, he was the associate head coach from 2021 to 2023 but left to become a co-DC with the Boise State Broncos last offseason.
With how the Broncos have performed this year — currently No. 13 in the College Football Playoff rankings — Stockton should have plenty of suitors, but becoming head coach at his former employer could be high on his list.
George McDonald, WRs Coach, Ole Miss Rebels
A Fort Wayne, Ind., native, George McDonald has the requisite ties to the area. He even served as a graduate assistant at Ball State in 2000. He’s also quite knowledgeable of the MAC, having coached WRs at Northern Illinois from 2001 to 2003 and manning Western Michigan’s OC role from 2005 to 2006.
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McDonald has since coached WRs and helped game plan at several Power Five schools (Miami, Syracuse, NC State, Illinois, and Ole Miss) but could be ready to step up as the face of a program.
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