TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Positivity has been contagious at spring practice these last few weeks, and at the epicenter of it all has been new tight ends coach Tyler Funk.
 
It's impossible to not notice Coach Funk out on the field. He's loud, he's jumping around, and, at just 25 years old, he's passionate about his opportunity to coach at the Division I level.
 
"If you know one thing about me, I'm the most competitive person you're going to meet ever," Funk said.
 
Even at that young age, Funk has already been part of a staff at one of the most successful collegiate football programs in the nation at Division III Mount Union – winner of 12 national titles and 27 conference crowns over its storied history. Funk was there in 2015 and 2016 as a defensive line coach.
 
"I had the ability to be around a coaching staff that was just so passionate about football, that it really taught me how to go above and beyond in everything that I do," Funk said. "As a young coach and having the ability to be around early in my career a program that is such a great championship program, it taught me to help the players realize how important every day is."
 
Funk's proximity to football greatness goes back even further, as he is the son of current ISU offensive line coach Darrell Funk – one of the longer-tenured Division I offensive line coaches in the nation with stops at Michigan, San Diego State and Ball State among many others.
 
"I get to coach with my father as well as my best friend," Funk said. "To learn from the best offensive line coach in the nation this early in my career, it's an unbelievable opportunity."
 
Coach Funk inherits a group of tight ends that should see more time on the field in offensive coordinator Jeff Hecklinski's new pro-style system.
 
"We put a lot on them, but we've been blessed with a group of great kids with high intelligence and a passion for football, so they make it really easy on me and they make it really easy on us as a staff," Funk said.
 
Funk's passion has been met by his crew, but especially so from senior tight end Jacquet McClendon, who has emerged as a team leader and productive member of the offense this spring.
 
"Having a group of guys like this who are so eager to be great, it just rejuvenates you as a coach every single day," Funk said. "Rolling out of bed at 4:45 is easy when you got a group that you're going to like this group."
 
What Funk – and all of head coach Curt Mallory's staff – are trying to teach right now isn't just enthusiasm and energy on the field, but everywhere in life.
 
"I'm trying to win every single day, and that's how you have to be if you want to be a champion, and that's what we're trying to instill in this team right now," Funk said.
 
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Coach Mallory and the Sycamores will have their second live scrimmage tomorrow morning at 11:15 a.m. at Memorial Stadium. Just two weeks remain in Spring Ball, so be sure to come out and catch the Sycamores when you can.
 
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.