Lamar Conard

Position: Assistant Coach/Running Backs Alma Mater: Purdue, 2000

Former Purdue defensive back Lamar Conard is in his third season as an assistant coach and begins his first season mentoring the running backs. Conard spent the previous two seasons assisting with the Redbird secondary.

Conard takes over as the running backs coach in 2010 and inherits a group of talented veteran backs. Erik Smith (4.6) and Ashton Leggett (4.3) each averaged over four yards per carry in 2010 and combined to rush for 12 touchdowns and 1,255 yards in the wide-open Redbird spread offense.

In his first two seasons with the Redbirds, Conard helped mentor a unit that recorded 27 interceptions, after the team recorded just nine interceptions during the previous two seasons. He also helped E.J. Jones develop into one of the best cornerbacks in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Jones intercepted a league-high seven passes in 2010 on way to being named a First Team All-MVFC selection and finished his career with 13 interceptions, all of which came in his last two seasons while working with Conard.

In 2009, the Redbird secondary accounted for 12 of the team's 14 interceptions, led by E.J. Jones' six picks. Chris Garrett was close behind with four interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns, and safeties Kelvyn Hemphill and Jermaine Malcolm collected the other two. For their efforts, Hemphill, Jones and Garrett were named All-MVFC selections, with Hemphill earning second team honors and Jones and Garrett each garnering honorable-mention nods.

Conard came to Illinois State following a two-year graduate assistantship at Purdue, where he also coached the Boilermaker defensive backs and coordinated the scout team offense.

Conard served as a graduate assistant at Purdue from 2007-08 on former Boilermaker head coach Joe Tiller's staff. Working directly with Purdue's defensive backs, Conard reported to Illinois State head coach Brock Spack, who was then the Boilermakers' defensive coordinator. Conard also coordinated the scout team offense after spending one season in a quality-control position, where he assisted with scouting, operations and recruiting.

Conard was a defensive back for the Boilermakers from 1996-99. He was the first walk-on at Purdue to be awarded a scholarship under Tiller, doing so in 1997.

Conard was a three-year starter and played in all 37 games during his final three seasons. His career totals included 118 tackles (68 solo, 50 assists), six pass breakups and four interceptions.

A native of Elkhart, Ind., Conard earned a bachelor's degree in childhood development and family studies from Purdue in 2000 and earned a master's degree in educational leadership from Purdue in 2009.
Conard and his son, Lamar Jr. (10), reside in Normal.

CONARD COACHING LEDGER