March 14, 2008
NORMAL, Ill. -
Illinois State head football coach Denver Johnson added Darrell Funk to the Redbird coaching staff Friday. Funk, who last coached at Colorado State, will coach the Illinois State offensive line, replacing Rod Carey, who resigned to take another coaching position.
"I was really impressed with Darrell during the interview process," said Johnson. "He has a varied background on both sides of the ball, including being a defensive coordinator. He has become a highly thought of offensive line coach and has a great reputation as a recruiter. He met and exceeded all of our expectations for the position, and he is one with a great passion and work ethic."
Funk is glad to be a member of the Redbird staff.
"I'm very excited to be here," said Funk. "Coach Johnson has built a program that is as good as there is in the country. I'm very impressed with everything that Illinois State has in terms of facilities, growth and the direction from the athletics director and head coach. Everything is going in a positive direction and I can feel that coming to Illinois State."
Funk spent the last five seasons at Colorado State, and the last four campaigns as the Rams' offensive line coach. During his time at his alma mater, Funk had three offensive linemen and a tight end continue their careers in the NFL. In his first season on Sonny Lubick's staff (2003), Funk served as the tight ends and special teams coach. Colorado State ranked among the national leaders in 2003 in net punting average.
In 2002, Funk coached the tight ends at Northern Illinois. Before joining the Huskies, Funk spent four years at Rhode Island. With the Rams, he spent his last two seasons (2000-01) serving as the defensive coordinator, after having worked with the offensive line in his first two seasons (1998-99).
With his defensive experience, Funk feels it has helped on the offensive side of the ball.
"Experience on defense does help you coach offensive players," said Funk. "I have known some great offensive line coaches that have never been on defense, but I've coached defensive line and linebackers and when you can stop and give the offensive linemen a little vantage point because you have coached the other side, I think it gives you an advantage."
Funk coached the offensive line for five seasons (1993-97) at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colo., and was the offensive coordinator for the past three seasons with the Mavericks. Before heading to Mesa State, he worked three seasons at Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, as the defensive line coach. He was also the defensive coordinator from 1991-92.
Following his playing career at Colorado State, where he was a three-year starter and four-year letterwinner, Funk began his coaching career at Colorado State in 1987 as a student assistant coach. He spent the next two seasons (1988-89) at Illinois, as a graduate assistant coach.
Funk graduated from Colorado State in 1988 with a bachelor's degree in social sciences. He received his master's degree in kinesiology from Illinois in 1990.
