The highly personable Tim McGuire is entering his seventh season as the head coach of the Indiana State football program. McGuire has been a vital part of Indiana State football program for the past 11 seasons, having guided the Indiana State defense as the program’s defensive coordinator before becoming head coach prior to the 1998 campaign. He has also served previously as the assistant head coach, as well as instructing the ISU defensive backs.

During his six seasons as the Sycamores’ head coach, McGuire has developed seven all-Americans – defensive back/return specialist DeJuan Alfonzo and defensive ends Shannon Jackson and Troy Lefevra. In 2002, Soso Dede, Deitrich Lapsley and Richard Harris joined that select group by garnering several postseason All-America honors as well. Last season defensive end Kyle Mitchell earned mention on the Don Hansen Football Gazzette All-America squad.

Last season, Coach McGuire led his troops into battle at Ball State to open the season in the first-ever night game held at the Cardinal’s Ball State Stadium.

In 2002, the Sycamores had one of their best seasons in recent history, winning four of its five home contests, including wins over NCAA Tournament participant Murray State and perennial Gateway Football Conference powerhouse Northern Iowa.

McGuire’s teams also came within an eye lash of downing Division I-A Ball State on their home field, and narrowly dropped a tough decision to Eastern Illinois.

As a defensive coordinator McGuire’s Sycamore defensive units ranked among the top four Gateway Football Conference leaders in five of seven years. His 1994 squad was first among the Gateway in total defense and 17th in the nation, while the 1995 team finished second in league play and 20th nationally.

In his five years as defensive coordinator, McGuire’s units recorded three shutouts and 10 games in which the opposition were held to fewer than 10 points. He also coached three all-Americans, including current Philadelphia Eagle standout Dan Brandenburg, Chris Libaire and Richard Moss.

The Omaha, NE, native has also tutored 13 student-athletes who have garnered first-team, all-conference honors, while seven have earned second-team. McGuire also has tutored 14 academic all-Conference honorees.

Prior to his arrival at Indiana State, McGuire spent two seasons at the United States Naval Academy. In 1991 he coached the linebackers for the varsity squad, and the following year (1992) he was the defensive coordinator for the academy’s lightweight football team. The ’92 team finished with a 7-0 record enroute to the East Lightweight Football Championship.

The 2003 campaign represents McGuire’s eighth season as a head coach, as he served two seasons (1981-82) as head coach of Morningside College, a Division II school in Sioux City, Iowa. McGuire compiled a 7-15 mark in his two-year head coaching debut at Morningside, but that record is somewhat deceiving. His 1981 team went 5-6, recording the most wins for the school in 10 years, and despite falling to 2-9 the following year, his two recruiting classes eventually posted winning seasons of 6-5 in 1984 and 7-3-1 in 1985.

McGuire honed his skills as a defensive intellect with stints at Northern Illinois University as well as at Kansas State University.

At Northern Illinois, McGuire spent four seasons (1986-1990) as the Huskies’ defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. While at the Dekalb, Ill., institution, he coached five players who signed contracts with the NFL, as well as All-Americans Doug Bartlett, Cary Caliendo and Ron Delisi. His 1987 squad ranked third nationally in interceptions, 34th in total defense and 42nd in passing defense, while his 1988 defensive unit held the opposition to an average of 10 points or less per game enroute to ranking 23rd nationally in scoring defense. The 1989 Huskies finished fourth in turnover margin and 29th in rushing defense, allowing just six opponents to eclipse 100 yards in team rushing.

His stint at Kansas State lasted two years from 1984-85. Serving as the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, McGuire instructed Barton Hundley–a Chicago Bears draft selection and a first-team, all-Big Eight pick.

McGuire acquired his love for Indiana State in a one-year assignment as defensive coordinator with the Sycamores during their Division I-AA playoff run in 1983. Not only was his defensive unit ranked first in the Missouri Valley Conference in turnover margin and second in both total defense and scoring defense, but it was at this time that McGuire began his streak of producing All-Americans and NFL draft picks.

Former Sycamore standouts Vencie Glenn, Ed Martin, Kevin Ramsey, Walter Seaphus and Sam Suggs all played under McGuire and later signed contracts in the NFL. As for all-American standouts, DeJuan Alfonzo, Glenn, Martin and Wayne Davis all grabbed such honors.

McGuire spent three seasons (1978-80) as an assistant coach instructing the defensive line at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Prior to UNO, McGuire spent the 1977 season as an assistant football coach and mathematics teacher at Millard High School in Omaha, NE. He began his professional career in 1975 as head football coach and mathematics teacher at Archbishop Ryan in Omaha.

McGuire played offensive guard at the University of Nebraska for four seasons (1971-74), receiving his bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He later attained a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in physical education.

McGuire is a member of several organizations, including American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), American Red Cross and American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation.