Former player takes job with IU football staff

IU coach Bill Lynch announced Tuesday Mark Deal’s appointment to the new position of associate director of football operations. Deal, the former assistant director of development with IU’s Varsity Club, played under ex-IU coach and current ESPN analyst Lee Corso from 1975-78. Deal coached the Hoosiers in 1979 as a graduate assistant and later returned to the sidelines as the offensive line coach from 1996-99. \n“We are very fortunate to bring Mark into our program,” Lynch said. “He has an intimate knowledge and love for Indiana football.”\nAs a graduate assistant coach, Deal helped lead the 1979 squad to an 8-4 record and a 38-37 Holiday Bowl victory over Brigham Young. \nDeal’s connections go far beyond his playing days. His father Russ captained Indiana’s 1945 Big Ten Championship team and is also member of the IU Athletics Hall of Fame. Mark’s brother, Mike, played on the 1967 Rose Bowl team. \n“I consider it a privilege and a great honor to once again serve the Indiana University football program,” Deal said. “I am grateful to (Varsity Club Director) Scott Dolson and the entire Varsity Club for the opportunity to meet hundreds of Indiana supporters during my time as assistant director. I look forward to working with Bill Lynch, who I have known for almost 30 years. When he asked me to serve in an active role in the day-to-day activity of Indiana football, I could not say no. I have the same amount of respect for Coach Lynch that I have for Coach Bill Mallory.”\nDeal has worked within the athletics department since 2000. Prior to his return to Bloomington in 1996, Deal spent five seasons (1991-95) as the offensive line coach at Rutgers University.\nHe held assistant coaching positions at Virginia Military Institute, Kansas State University and Marshall University. Deal began his college coaching career as the linebackers coach at Wabash College in 1980. \nDeal’s daughter Carrie was a member of the Indiana volleyball team in 2005 and 2006, making the Deal family one of only two in IU Athletics history to include three generations of letter winners. She earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2006 and is currently enrolled at IU working toward a degree in special education.\n“Mark’s passion for Indiana University is evident and infectious,” Lynch said. “He brings a tremendous amount of experience to the position, and he will be a great asset for the entire program.”