Ball State head coach Mike Neu is working on an extension to keep him with the football program beyond this season.

“It’s clear that under Mike Neu’s leadership we are headed in the right direction,” Beth Goetz shared with The Star Press. “He and I will sit down after Friday to talk through next steps, but we are excited to see the progress continue.”

Neu has one year left on his current contract, and is 14-33 overall and 7-24 in MAC play.

The feeling in Muncie seems to be that the record previously listed may not fully illustrate the progress being made. Neu led the Cardinals to a thrashing of traditional MAC power Toledo 52-14 back in mid-October, and played in a handful of close games including a 10-point loss to one of the best Indiana teams the Hoosier’s have had in decades, an 11-point loss to NC State, and the first wins in years over programs at Northern Illinois and a much improved Eastern Michigan squad.

Off-the-field, Geotz also shares improvement in the culture of the locker room, academic progress of players, and community engagement as supporting reasons for more time for Neu and his staff.

The report adds that it’s unclear at this time how long the extension will be for, and what the staff may look like going forward as continued on-field progress is pursued.

Friday, Neu will be looking to secure his first five-win season since taking over as the Cardinals take on Miami (OH).

Before taking the Ball State job, Neu (a graduate, and former player and GA at Ball State) tutored Drew Brees as the quarterbacks coach with the Saints, and also had stops at Tulane and in the Arena league as a head coach, coordinator, and assistant.

Head here to read the full report, and stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest when his extension is announced.