Colorado State University Athletics
Addazio Names First Hires for Initial Colorado State Coaching Staff
1/14/2020 9:19:00 AM | Football, Ram Club
Lynch comes to Fort Collins after guiding the Ball State offense for the past six seasons; White developed a bevy of 1,000-yard running backs.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – A conference leader in offensive output and one of the nation's most respected running backs coaches have been added to the Colorado State football staff as head coach Steve Addazio has named Joey Lynch, offensive coordinator, and Brian White, senior associate head coach, to his inaugural coaching staff.
"I am excited to bring Joey Lynch and Brian White to Fort Collins," Addazio said. "Both men embody the characteristics we are looking for in this program: passion for the game, love for those around them, and an unrivaled toughness. I am looking forward to getting them both on the road to meet with recruits and around our program to grow with our players, staff, and community."
Lynch comes to Fort Collins after 11 seasons at his alma mater, Ball State, including the final six as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. A four-year letterman at quarterback for the Cardinals - where he graduated as one of the most prolific passers in program history - Lynch will also coach quarterbacks for the Rams. During the 2019 campaign, Lynch's offensive attack was the most potent in the Mid-American Conference as the Cardinals led the league in scoring (34.8), total offense (463), and plays per game (75.8).
Nationally, the Cardinals ranked No. 16 in total offense and No. 22 in rushing offense in 2019. It was the highest mark for the program in terms of total offense in more than 10 seasons. For his efforts, Lynch was nominated for the Broyles Award, given to the nation's top assistant.
Six Cardinals from the offensive side of the football were named All-MAC, including offensive lineman Danny Pinter and wide receiver Justin Hall on the first team. Pinter, a converted tight end, also garnered All-American honors from Pro Football Focus. Hall, a three-time recipient of All-MAC honors, finished the season with 61 receptions for 684 yards. He was one of four Ball State receivers to tally at least 500 yards receiving as the Cardinals distributed the ball throughout their receiving corps.
In fact, of the 24 MAC receivers to tally more than 500 yards receiving during the 2019 season, the Cardinals' four led the 12-team conference.
Running back Caleb Huntley's 1,275 yards and 106.3 yards per game both ranked third among all MAC running backs as the Cardinals' 219.4 yards per game on the ground was its second-highest mark in the past 40 years for the program. In three of the past four seasons, a Ball State running back finished in the top-3 for rushing yards per game in the MAC.
One of the nation's preeminent developers of talent at the running back position, White comes to Fort Collins after five years at Boston College where he previously worked with Addazio. While in Chestnut Hill, White developed some of the nation's most productive running backs including AJ Dillon, the first BC running back to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons. Including 2019, Dillon rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons under White's direction.
White's time developing high-profile running backs dates back to an 11-year tenure at Wisconsin where he coached and developed 1999 Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne, 2001 NFL first-rounder Michael Bennett, and 2001 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Anthony Davis. During his time at Wisconsin, White was named the 2004 winner of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division I Assistant Coach of the Year.
This past season, Dillon was named All-Atlantic Coast Conference First Team for the second consecutive season and finished as the nation's No. 6 overall rusher with 1,685 yards. Dillon was honored in 2017 as the ACC Rookie of the Year as the nation's second-leading rusher among freshmen and the No. 7 overall rusher in the nation. His 1,589 rushing yards were the second-most by any ACC freshman in conference history.
"I am excited to bring Joey Lynch and Brian White to Fort Collins," Addazio said. "Both men embody the characteristics we are looking for in this program: passion for the game, love for those around them, and an unrivaled toughness. I am looking forward to getting them both on the road to meet with recruits and around our program to grow with our players, staff, and community."
Lynch comes to Fort Collins after 11 seasons at his alma mater, Ball State, including the final six as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. A four-year letterman at quarterback for the Cardinals - where he graduated as one of the most prolific passers in program history - Lynch will also coach quarterbacks for the Rams. During the 2019 campaign, Lynch's offensive attack was the most potent in the Mid-American Conference as the Cardinals led the league in scoring (34.8), total offense (463), and plays per game (75.8).
Nationally, the Cardinals ranked No. 16 in total offense and No. 22 in rushing offense in 2019. It was the highest mark for the program in terms of total offense in more than 10 seasons. For his efforts, Lynch was nominated for the Broyles Award, given to the nation's top assistant.
Six Cardinals from the offensive side of the football were named All-MAC, including offensive lineman Danny Pinter and wide receiver Justin Hall on the first team. Pinter, a converted tight end, also garnered All-American honors from Pro Football Focus. Hall, a three-time recipient of All-MAC honors, finished the season with 61 receptions for 684 yards. He was one of four Ball State receivers to tally at least 500 yards receiving as the Cardinals distributed the ball throughout their receiving corps.
In fact, of the 24 MAC receivers to tally more than 500 yards receiving during the 2019 season, the Cardinals' four led the 12-team conference.
Running back Caleb Huntley's 1,275 yards and 106.3 yards per game both ranked third among all MAC running backs as the Cardinals' 219.4 yards per game on the ground was its second-highest mark in the past 40 years for the program. In three of the past four seasons, a Ball State running back finished in the top-3 for rushing yards per game in the MAC.
One of the nation's preeminent developers of talent at the running back position, White comes to Fort Collins after five years at Boston College where he previously worked with Addazio. While in Chestnut Hill, White developed some of the nation's most productive running backs including AJ Dillon, the first BC running back to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons. Including 2019, Dillon rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons under White's direction.
White's time developing high-profile running backs dates back to an 11-year tenure at Wisconsin where he coached and developed 1999 Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne, 2001 NFL first-rounder Michael Bennett, and 2001 Big Ten Freshman of the Year Anthony Davis. During his time at Wisconsin, White was named the 2004 winner of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division I Assistant Coach of the Year.
This past season, Dillon was named All-Atlantic Coast Conference First Team for the second consecutive season and finished as the nation's No. 6 overall rusher with 1,685 yards. Dillon was honored in 2017 as the ACC Rookie of the Year as the nation's second-leading rusher among freshmen and the No. 7 overall rusher in the nation. His 1,589 rushing yards were the second-most by any ACC freshman in conference history.
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