Luke Butts, a member of the Lake Forest College football coaching staff since 2013, was recently promoted to associate head coach.
Butts, who played for the Foresters from 2008-11 and still ranks fourth in program history with 329 career tackles, originally returned to his alma mater as the cornerbacks coach. He has also served as special teams coordinator, recruiting coordinator, and linebackers coach and the 2021 season will be his fifth as the team's defensive coordinator.
Under the direction of Butts, Lake Forest surrendered just 8.7 points and 242 yards per game during the shortended spring 2021 season and boasted the top scoring defense in the Midwest Conference in 2019, allowing just 16.2 points per contest. Forester defensive players have been named all-conference 15 times in the last three full seasons. The Foresters also excelled on special teams when Butts coordinated that unit, fielding an All-American returner and blocking eight punts, eight field goals, and a pair of extra points from 2016-18.
"Through a strong work ethic, dedication to his alma mater, and passion for the game of football, Coach Butts has grown in our program and is extremely deserving of this promotion," commented Lake Forest College Head Football Coach Jim Catanzaro. "He has also been a valuable member of the campus community as a whole, serving on committes and as a club sport advisor. His commitment to student-athletes here at the College is commendable and I'm excited for him as he continues to take on more responsibility."
"My family and I couldn't be more excited for this next step in my coaching career," stated Butts. "I look forward to helping the program continue to compete for championships on and off the field."