Ball State hired Butler’s Mike Uremovich as head coach on Wednesday, becoming the second FCS coach to land an FBS job this hiring cycle.

Uremovich, 48, posted a 23-11 record in three seasons while leading Butler. The Bulldogs posted a 9-3 record this season and earned a national ranking for the first time in school history. It was the first time since 1987-89 that Butler had won three straight seasons.

“I am grateful for the trust that President (Geoffrey) Mearns and (athletic director) Jeff Mitchell have placed in me to lead this proud football program,” Uremovich said in a news release. “We are excited about the opportunity to help shape this organization and work with the Muncie community. I’m looking forward to meeting the team and can’t wait to get started.”

We have our guy ✍️

Welcome to Ball State, Coach Uremovich! 🏈

🔗: https://t.co/ztV1n9WMkT pic.twitter.com/cS1TmFGrBF

— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) December 4, 2024

Rice hired another Pioneer League coach from Davidson, Scott Abell, on November 26.

Ball State fired Mike Neu last month after nine seasons at his alma mater. The Cardinals went 3-9 overall and 2-6 in the Mid-American Conference this season.

Uremovich spent three seasons (2019-22) as offensive coordinator at Temple before taking the helm at Butler. He also spent six seasons in three different stints as an assistant at Northern Illinois of the MAC. The Huskies won the MAC and earned three bowl bids from 2016 to 2018 with Uremovich as associate head coach and offensive coordinator.

“Mike Uremovich brings a significant breadth of coaching experience from high school, small college, FCS and FBS,” Mitchell said. “He has spent time in Group of 5 and Power 4 conference environments. He has an extensive background in both coordinator and head coaching roles and has deep recruiting relationships.”

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