Assistant Coaches Neil Kazmierczak Defensive Coordinator Neil Kazmierczak is in his fourth season as defensive coordinator at Butler, after spending five seasons as the defensive coordinator at DePauw University. He helped DePauw to a pair of conference titles, and the Tigers’ defensive unit ranked first in the conference in fewest points allowed in 2004. Prior to joining the staff at DePauw, Kazmierczak served as linebackers coach at Saint Mary’s College (Calif.) for one season (1999) and as defensive coordinator for Ritsumeikan University in Japan for one season (1998). He also had coaching stints at Stanford University (199598), Oxnard, Calif., High School (1993-95) and John Marshall High School (Calif., 1990-93). Kazmierczak was a three-year varsity football player at Michigan State University. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State in 1998, a master’s degree from Azusa Pacific in 1995 and a master’s degree from Stanford in 1998. He and his wife, Frezewd, are parents of three children, Zach (7), Saron (7) and Caleb (5).
Frank Smith Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith, in his fourth season as Butler’s offensive line coach and his third season as offensive coordinator for the Bulldogs. He joined Butler’s staff after serving as a graduate assistant coach at Miami (Ohio) University, 2004-05. During his two seasons at Miami, the Redhawks won two Mid-American Conference East Division Championships and played in the 2004 Independence Bowl. Smith was a three-year starter as an offensive lineman at Miami. He was named the team’s Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2001, and he helped the Redhawks win the GMAC Bowl in 2003. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Miami in 2004. Smith and his wife, Kelly, will celebrate their first anniversary next June.
Joe Cheshire Linebackers Joe Cheshire is in his fifth season as a full-time assistant coach, following one season with the Bulldogs as a part-time assistant. He currently handles the team’s linebackers, while also serving as Butler’s recruiting coordinator. Cheshire joined the Bulldogs in 2004, after spending two seasons as offensive backs coach at DePauw University. In his final season at DePauw, the Tigers led the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference in rushing yards per game. The son of former Butler football player Jim Cheshire (75), Joe was a four-year football letterwinner at DePauw. He was the Tigers’ offensive Most Valuable Player in 1997, and he served as a football team captain in 1998. He earned all-conference recognition as a junior, when he led DePauw in pass receiving. Cheshire received a B. A. degree from DePauw in 1999 and began a brief business career before returning to the football field in 2002. He and his wife, Ashleigh, have two children, Griffin and Charlotte.
Ed Reed Running Backs Ed Reed is in his second season as Butler’s running backs coach. A Wellness teacher in Carmel Clay Schools, Reed boasts more than two decades of coaching expierence at the high school level. He coached running backs at Carmel High School for 20 years, while also serving as offensive coordinator for six years. He spent two seasons coaching at Noblesville High School before coming to Butler. Reed earned his undergraduate degree from Anderson University (‘82) and a master’s degree from Georgetown (Ky.). He and his wife, Lori, have two children, Jessica and Adam.
David Kenney Defensive Line David Kenney is in his fourth season on Butler’s coaching staff, and he has responsibility for the Bulldogs’ defensive line. He joined the Bulldogs after spending one season as head coach and defensive coordinator of the Washington Township Travel Team (IEFA) and two seasons as an assistant football coach at North Central High School. Kenney was a defensive tackle and nose guard for three seasons at Tuskegee University, where he earned a B. S. Degree in 1996. He and his wife, Kristen, are parents of four children, Devante (16), David (14), Khirra (9) and Dakari (8). He’s a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Nick Anderson Wide Receiver Receivers Nick Anderson is in his third season with the Bulldogs, taking over this year as wide receivers’ coach. He previously spent two seasons as an assistant football coach at Indianapolis Manual High School and one year as an assistant coach at LaVille High School. He began his collegiate playing career at Eastern Kentucky University in 1997, before transferring to Quincy University, where he was a starting defensive back. Anderson, a 2003 Quincy graduate, has played semi-pro football for the past five years.
Danny Sears Cornerback Cornerbacks Danny Sears, a former standout wide receiver at Franklin College, is in his third season at Butler, and he’s responsible for the team’s cornerbacks. Sears was a threetime, first team All-Heartland Conference wide receiver (2004-06) and a two-time conference Special Teams MVP (2004 & 2006) as a punt and kick returner. He finished his collegiate career with over 2,000 receiving yards and 20 career touchdown catches. The four-year letterwinner for the Grizzlies compiled over 5,000 all-purpose yards, 2003-06.
Chris Davis Tight Ends Chris Davis, who earned two varsity letters ers as an of offensive lineman with the Bulldogs, is in his second season on the Butler staff. He’s coaching Butler’s tight ends. Davis began his senior season with the Bulldogs as a starting offensive tackle, only to be sidelined by injury for the third time in his career. He was named to the Pioneer Football League Academic Honor Roll three times, and he graduated with a degree in secondary education in the spring of 2008.
Rob Noel Defensive Line Rob Noel, a four-year letterwinner with the Bulldogs (2005-08), has joined Butler’s staff as a student assistant coach working with the team’s defensive line. Noel, who played both guard and tackle for the Bulldogs, set a Butler career record for games played (44), and he was in the Bulldogs’ starting lineup in his final 22 games. He earned All-League honors as an offensive lineman, and he was a two-time Academic All-League player. Noel earned his degree from Butler last spring.
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