TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State offensive line coach and run-game coordinator Darrell Funk has had an illustrious career spanning four different decades and most of the continental United States, but his coaching philosophy in the trenches hasn't changed.
 
"No matter what system you run, you've got to be tough to play offensive line," Funk said. "I don't care what system you're running. And if there was a system where that wasn't a requirement I would have never been a part of that."
 
Funk, like several members of Curt Mallory's staff, was at Michigan under Brady Hoke from 2011-14, where he mentored several nationally-prominent offensive linemen – including two-time All-American and first round draft pick Taylor Lewan. Like Mark Smith and Jeff Hecklinski, Funk was even part of Hoke's staff in the earlier years at Ball State and San Diego State.
 
"You like to coach with guys that are not only your friends, but guys you've worked with and gone through the battles before – which I have with a lot of these guys," Funk said.
 
One unique connection Funk has is with Indiana State's tight ends coach: his son, Tyler.
 
"That's awesome," Funk said. "Probably makes for some long days for him at times. That's an unbelievable thing, and I knew it would be when I agreed to come here and he was already on staff."
 
"He's way ahead of me when I was 25, that's for sure," Funk continued. "He's picked up some different things from me. He's watched me coach since he was able to be trusted at a practice to not run across the field."
 
Funk inherits an offensive line that will be trying to replace stalwart tackles Dakota Vermillion and Preston Collier, but also returns guards Matt Byrne and Lex Sowards.
 
In the early stages of shoring up his offensive line and introducing a new playbook to the Sycamore offense, Funk just wants one thing out of his unit: aggressiveness.
 
"We're gonna make some mistakes, but we're gonna make them going at full speed," Funk said. "We're going to play with a toughness and a level of physicality, and then we'll build the offense around that."
 
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The Sycamores held their first full-contact scrimmage on Saturday morning, which will be followed by one more next Saturday and then the Spring Game on April 21.
 
Our own Luke Martin caught up with Coach Mallory, as well as offensive coordinator Jeff Hecklinski and defensive coordinator Brad Wilson, on how the first scrimmage went in the embedded video above.
 
Practice picks right back up Tuesday morning at 5:15 a.m. at Memorial Stadium.
 
Day 7 (April 4): 5:15-7:15 a.m.
Day 8 (April 6): 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Day 9 (April 8; 2nd Scrimmage): 11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
 
Day 10 (April 11): 5:15-7:15 a.m.
Day 11 (April 13): 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Day 12 (April 14): TBA
 
Day 13 (April 18): 5:15-7:15 a.m.
Day 14 (April 20): 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Day 15 (April 21, Spring Game): 4:00 p.m.
 
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.