TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – A new era of Sycamore Football has begun, as Curt Mallory was officially introduced as the 21st head coach in Indiana State University Football history by University President Dr. Dan Bradley and Director of Athletics Sherard Clinkscales in a press conference Wednesday morning.
 
Mallory, who was announced as the new head coach in a press release Monday evening, is a 22-year veteran of the collegiate ranks and comes from the esteemed Mallory football family – led by his father, Bill Mallory, the winningest coach in Indiana University history.
 
"I'm really excited about the future of the program," Mallory said. "I've had a chance to meet these young men, and they're hungry and I know we're going to get this done. I'm really excited to be part of the family."
 
"The philosophy here is very simple: you win with people," Mallory continued. "That's how I was raised. You're never going to do it alone; it's always going to be about 'we' and 'us.'"
 
Mallory has been a successful assistant coach during his long career, where he has specifically worked on the defensive side of the ball. Following a successful four-year career at the University of Michigan as a linebacker, Mallory became a GA under his father at Indiana from 1993-94 before a six-year stint at Ball State working with the linebackers and secondary starting in 1995. Mallory had two following stops in Central Michigan (2001) and back at Indiana (2002-04) before a strong five-year stay at Illinois – which included being the co-defensive coordinator on the 2007 Illini Rose Bowl team.
 
He worked at Akron for one season 2010 after his stay at Illinois from 2005-09, and then the call came to coach at his alma mater under Brady Hoke. Mallory was the secondary coach for the Wolverines from 2011-14, which boasted some of the best defenses in the nation during his tenure. Mallory spent the last two seasons at Wyoming before accepting the head coaching job at Indiana State.
 
"He brings a wealth of experience to our program, and I'm confident excellent student-athletes who will be great representatives of Indiana State will help us take our program to a new level," President Bradley said.
 
Mallory inherits a Sycamore Football program that went 9-13 in the previous two seasons after making its first trip to the FCS Playoffs in 30 years in 2014.
 
Clinkscales, who mentioned today how "bloodlines find a way to play," headed up the search committee for a new head coach following the resignation of Mike Sanford on Dec. 16 to serve on his son's staff at Western Kentucky.
 
"We had a robust field of applicants, and it was so exciting because all of them knew that this was such a wonderful opportunity to be able to raise the bar here and do something special," Clinkscales said. "One of the first things I was looking for in a head coach was love of coaching and teaching, which are synonymous; to have that be an extension of who they are as a person. I want someone who was going to develop boys into men, who will lead their families and their communities. I want a coach that loves them enough to hold them accountable and hold them to a standard of achievement they don't even think they can reach."
 
Mallory did not mince words at today's press conference either regarding the future of Sycamore Football.
 
"We will represent this University in a first-class manner," Mallory said. "They will earn a degree, and we will win the Missouri Valley championship."
 
The next big event for Mallory and the Sycamores is National Signing Day, which is one week from today on Wed., Feb. 1.
 
"The vision is very clear: I see these young men walk across that stage, they're holding onto a diploma in their hand, and on their ring finger is a Missouri Valley championship ring."
 
Curt Mallory Coaching Career
1992 – Michigan (Student Assistant, Linebackers)
1993-94 – Indiana (Graduate Assistant, Linebackers (1993) and Secondary (1994))
1995-99 – Ball State (Linebackers)
2000 – Ball State (Secondary)
2001 – Central Michigan (Secondary)
2002-04 – Indiana (Secondary)
2005-06 – Illinois (Secondary)
2007-09 – Illinois (Co-Defensive Coordinator)
2010 – Akron (Defensive Coordinator)
2011-14 – Michigan (Secondary)
2015-16 – Wyoming (Pass Defense Coordinator/Secondary)
2017-Present – Indiana State (Head Coach)
 
Curt Mallory Playing Career (Michigan, 1988-91)
- Played under Bo Schembechler (1988-89) and Gary Moeller (1990-91)
- Four-year linebacker; earned two letters
- Was member of four Big Ten title teams that went to three Rose Bowls
- On 1988 Michigan team that finished No. 4 nationally after defeating USC in Rose Bowl
- Had interception in 35-3 victory over Ole Miss in final game of career in 1991 Gator Bowl
- Graduated in 1992 with a bachelor's in sport management and communication
 
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT CURT MALLORY
 
Craig Bohl
Wyoming Head Coach (2014-Present)
Former North Dakota State Head Coach (2003-13)
"We want to congratulate Curt and his wife Lori as they open a new chapter in their lives and in Curt's coaching career as he becomes the head coach at Indiana State. Curt's efforts in his two years at Wyoming were greatly appreciated and had a significant impact on our program as we benefitted both from his coaching and his recruiting abilities. Curt is a well-experienced coach, who has a great understanding of players from the Midwest. He'll be a great fit at Indiana State, and he will make them competitive in the Missouri Valley Football Conference."
 
Lloyd Carr
Former Michigan Head Coach (1995-2007)
"Curt Mallory is an outstanding choice as head football coach at Indiana State University. He is a man of integrity who will be a great representative of the University and a coach who will be a great role model for his players. ISU will be successful on and off the field of play."
 
Gerry DiNardo
Big Ten Network Analyst
Former Vanderbilt Head Coach (1991-94)
Former LSU Head Coach (1995-99)
Former Indiana Head Coach (2002-04)
"From the first time I met and worked with Curt it was clear he was destined to be a head coach. His character, knowledge, passion and love for the game make him a very special coach. Often times when picking a head coach people always talk about 'the fit.' Well, Indiana State got the perfect fit in Curt Mallory. I'd also like to congratulate the Indiana high school coaches because one of your own is coming back."
 
Don Fischer
Radio Voice of the Indiana Hoosiers
"The Mallory family is one of the great football families in all of the United States. I don't know of any family more involved in the sport throughout their whole lives. All the Mallory boys not only played but have coached the game and are still coaching at a high level. Bill is still the best coach in Indiana University history. His 13 years here we went to six bowl games, and IU hasn't come close since and didn't go again until 2007; the struggle has been mighty since then. We've had a couple of other great football families pass through here, like Terry Hoeppner and Bill Lynch, whose families are as engrossed as the Mallorys. Without a doubt, Bill Mallory is one of the most respected coaches in the country, and he was revered by all of us who worked with him here. His sons are all class people, and I am still very close with Bill, his wife and the entire family. Every time I went to Michigan while Curt was there it was like seeing an old friend. Curt is a terrific person and coach; the people are going to love him at ISU. I've watched Indiana State from afar since I worked there because I loved my time at WVOW; I just had a ball in Terre Haute. I still follow ISU closely, and I still believe it can take off. I'm also very close to Trent Miles, who I think started to turn this program around, and Mike Sanford kept some of that success going too. I know a little about Indiana State Football and the background of the people that live there, and I'm really excited for Curt and his family for this opportunity."
 
Brady Hoke
Former Michigan Head Coach (2011-14)
"Curt Mallory is a man of unbelievable character and integrity. He is a great teacher and role model for the young men that he has had the privilege to coach. The high school coaches in the state of Indiana have a coach at Indiana State that will be passionate about the relationships Curt and his staff will have with them. The University, the alumni, the fans and the players will be proud to have Curt Mallory as their head football coach."
 
Jordan Kovacs – Safety, University of Michigan (2008-12)
Five-year NFL Veteran
2009 Freshman All-American
Three-time All-Big Ten
"I had the privilege of playing under Coach Mallory for two years at Michigan. He is undoubtedly one of the best guys I've come across in the football world. His enthusiasm and passion for the game is unrivaled and is why he'll make a great head coach. Good luck, Coach Mal!"
 
Jeremy "J" Leman – Linebacker, University of Illinois (2003-07)
Big Ten Network Analyst
2007 All-American
Four-year NFL Veteran
"Competitor and character; those are the words that come to mind when I think about Curt Mallory. He loves to compete at the highest levels and demands the same from his players, yet knows that the foundation of any program is the character and integrity of its staff and players. He will make Indiana State proud on and off the field."
 
Bill Lynch
DePauw Head Coach (2013-Present)
Former Butler Head Coach (1985-89)
Former Ball State Head Coach (1995-2002)
Former Indiana Head Coach (2007-10)
"Curt Mallory is an outstanding football coach and a tremendous leader of young men. His energy and passion for the game of football is contagious. Curt is a proven recruiter and will represent Indiana State University in a first-class manner."
 
Bill Mallory
Father, Former Indiana Head Coach (1984-96)
"My wife and I are coming up to the press conference on Wednesday and are very excited for him. Curt had called me to say a job had opened at Indiana State, and I told him I thought it's a great move for him. I've always had great respect for ISU like Curt does, and he's very excited to have the opportunity to be the head football coach. We moved to Bloomington when he was in middle school, he played football at Bloomington South, he went onto play at Michigan but then came back with me as a graduate assistant, so he has always had a warm sport for the state of Indiana and football. The key, without question, is recruiting the state of Indiana and making it a hub – which he will do. He will do a thorough job of that in the state, as he has great respect for the football in the state and the coaches, and that is so important to getting those players. Curt is a great people person and he cares about his players. He's not a person up on a pedestal or with an ego. He's very caring, and I say that with all sincerity. He's a down-to-earth and caring individual with passion for the game. Most important to him are the people involved; it's like a family to him. I know he'll make people understand that they're important, and together they'll work to make the program succeed. He has a lot of good positives there that will be good for Indiana State. He's anxious to surround himself with a good quality staff to make this program succeed."
 
Mike Mallory
Brother, Jacksonville Jaguars Special Teams Coach
"I'm thrilled for Curt. He is well-prepared to lead the Indiana State Football program. His passion and attention to detail will serve the Sycamores well."
 
Tavon Wilson – Safety, University of Illinois (2008-11)
2012 Second Round NFL Draft Pick (New England Patriots, Pick 48)
Detroit Lions Safety (2016-Present)
New England Patriots Safety (2012-15)
Super Bowl XLIX Champion (New England Patriots)
"Coach Mallory is so deserving of this opportunity to become the next head coach at Indiana State University. Ever since I stepped foot onto campus at the University of Illinois, Coach Mal took me under his wing. He taught me so much about the game of football, and I credit him for believing in me to become a versatile defensive back. He trusted me as a leader at multiple positions, which has been very beneficial throughout my NFL journey. Coach Mal also helped develop me into the man I am today. He was my father figure throughout college, and I know that he will be able to help turn ISU into the next great program of young men and student-athletes."
 
Ron Zook
Green Bay Packers Special Teams Coordinator (2014-Present)
Former Florida Head Coach (2002-04)
Former Illinois Head Coach (2005-11)
"Curt comes from a great football family. I played for his father, who was a man of integrity. Curt is a great coach, he cares about his players and will be a great ambassador for the University."
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Football team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.