Offensive line coach Darrell Funk speaks about Ricky Barnum, Elliott Mealer, Taylor Lewan and this year's freshmen.
Darrell Funk is in his third year with Michigan football as offensive line coach. Prior to joining the Wolverines in 2011, he previously served under Brady Hoke at both San Diego State (2009-10) and Ball State (2008), coaching the offensive line.
In just two seasons, Funk's lines at Michigan have produced two All-Americans and three All-Big Ten first-team honorees, including back-to-back Rimington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year award winners in center David Molk (2011) and left tackle Taylor Lewan (2012). Molk, who in 2011 received consensus All-America recognition, also earned Rimington Trophy honors as the nation's top center.
Funk's offensive line has allowed only 18 sacks in each of the past two seasons, third-best in the Big Ten each season. In 2012, the line helped a Wolverines offense that averaged 383.1 yards and 29.8 points per game, including 183.8 rushing yards per game. In 2011, it paved the way for quarterback Denard Robinson and running back Fitzgerald Toussaint to become U-M's first pair of 1,000-yard rushers since 1975 (Gordon Bell and Rob Lytle). The Wolverines, who finished 11-2 and earned a Sugar Bowl victory, ranked second in the Big Ten in rushing offense (221.8 yards per game) and third in total offense (404.7 ypg).
In 2010, Funk's line at San Diego State finished sixth in fewest sacks allowed, while Ball State ranked 10th in 2008. Funk helped the Aztecs finish the 2010 season ranked 12th nationally in passing offense, averaging just over 295 yards per game, and 16th in total offense (456.69 ypg). In his lone year at Ball State, he helped the Cardinals to a 12-2 record, the MAC West Division title and a trip to the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
A Fort Collins, Colo., native and Colorado State alumnus, Funk spent five seasons with the Rams under head coach Sonny Lubick (2003-07), including the final four working with the offensive line. He coached CSU's special teams and tight ends his first season in 2003, after a one-year stint at Northern Illinois as tight ends coach. He also has made stops as a full-time assistant at Rhode Island (1998-2001), Mesa State College (1993-97) and Muskingum College (1990-92).
Funk was a three-year starter at CSU from 1983-86, playing on both the offensive and defensive line and at tight end. He has a bachelor's degree from Colorado State (1988) and a master's degree from Illinois (1990). Funk and his wife, Teresa, have two sons, Tyler and Dustin, and one daughter, Courtney.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Year
Team
Position
2011-present
Michigan
Offensive Line
2009-10
San Diego State
Offensive Line
2008
Ball State
Offensive Line
2004-07
Colorado State
Offensive Line
2003
Colorado State
Special Teams, Tight Ends
2002
Northern Illinois
Tight Ends
2000-01
Rhode Island
Def. Coordinator
1998-99
Rhode Island
Offensive Line
1995-97
Mesa State College
Off. Coordinator/OL
1993-94
Mesa State College
Offensive Line
1991-92
Muskingum College
Def. Coordinator/DL
1990
Muskingum College
Defensive Line
1988-89
Illinois
Graduate Assistant
1987
Colorado State
Student Assistant
ABOUT COACH FUNK Age / 48 Date of Birth / Feb. 4, 1965 Hometown / Fort Collins, Colo. High School / Rocky Mountain College / Colorado State (1988) Graduate School / Illinois (1990) Family / Wife Teresa, sons Tyler and Dustin, daughter Courtney College Bowl Experience (11) / Michigan: 2012 Outback Bowl, 2012 Sugar Bowl; San Diego State: 2010 Poinsiettia Bowl; Ball State: 2008 GMAC Bowl; Colorado State: 2005 Poinsiettia Bowl, 2003 San Francisco Bowl; Illinois: 1989 Citrus Bowl, 1988 All-American Bowl All-Americans / 2012: Taylor Lewan; 2011: David Molk (consensus) All-Conference Players / 2012: Taylor Lewan (All-Big Ten first team, Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year), Patrick Omameh (All-Big Ten first team); 2011: David Molk (All-Big Ten first team, Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year), Taylor Lewan (All-Big Ten second team)
