Michael Switzer joined the Sycamore Football program in February 2018 as the teams' offensive line coach. Following the season Switzer was elevated to offensive coordinator while continuing to work with the offensive line.
"Coach Switzer has tremendous leadership qualities and that is obviously something we want emphasize to our whole offensive unit," Mallory said. "His enthusiasm for the game is infectious and I know he'll keep our offense going in the direction it needs to go to win in the Missouri Valley Football Conference."
As an offense, Indiana State improved dramatically over the course of a year, finishing the season ranked 14th in the nation with 241.5 rushing yards per game. Overall, the Sycamores finished the year with 2,656 yards rushing in 2018 after rushing for just 1,185 yards in 2017 prior to Switzer's arrival.
Consistency was key up front with all five offensive linemen starting each of ISU's 11 games in 2018, including three linemen who were named All-MVFC in
Wyatt Wozniak,
Isaiah Edwards and
Tate Leavitt. The Sycamores had three players (
Ja'Quan Keys,
Ryan Boyle and
Titus McCoy) surpass the 500-yard rushing mark led by First Team All-MVFC running back
Ja'Quan Keys who finished fourth in total yards (948) in the MVFC at the conclusion of the regular season after missing the final four games of the year due to injury.
In 2019, Switzer coached four All-MVFC selections in wide receivers Dante Hendrix and Dakota Caton, all-purpose man Dominique Dafney and center Wyatt Wozniak.
In 2017, Switzer served as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Blue Streaks. In this time, John Carroll ranked fourth in touchdowns per season with 45. Switzer also helped lead John Carroll to 22 rushing touchdowns which ranked second in the OAC. Switzer also coached OL Drew Turner to first team All-OAC and RB Ro Golphin to second team All-OAC.
Prior to John Carroll, Switzer spent three seasons working with the University of Michigan Football team. He spent the 2015-16 season working as an offensive analyst specifically with the offensive line and assisting with the tight ends.
During the 2014 season he was a graduate assistant working directly with the Offensive Lineman.
Prior to joining Michigan, Switzer served one season as an offensive graduate assistant at Eastern Michigan working with the Offensive Line in 2013.
In 2011, Switzer spent time with the Buffalo Bills in the National Football League as an undrafted free-agent offensive lineman.
Switzer was a four-year letterman and four-year starter on the offensive line at Ball State (2007-10). He started all 51 career games for the Cardinals, where he helped block for an offense which tallied a school record 5,972 yards of total offense in 2008 when the team went 12-1 under head coach Brady Hoke.
Switzer earned his bachelor's degree in general studies from Ball State.
He attended Lawrence North High School, where he earned all-conference honors and was a finalist for Mr. Football Offensive Lineman of the Year as a senior.
