When you really boil it down, college football at its essence is largely a relationship game.
Coach to player. Teammate to teammate. Student to community. The bonds built by the game are long lasting.
And for Ball State's two newest assistant coaches, relationships are what brought them to Muncie.
For offensive line coach Colin Johnson, it was his love affair with Ball State University. For co-defensive coordinator Tyler Stockton, it was his kinship with Cardinals DC David Elson.
Now two weeks into spring practice, both have hit the ground running.