Indiana University Athletics
Football
- Title:
- Director of Player Development & Academic Enhancement
- Email:
- football@iu.edu
Mike Pechac enters his 13th season as director of player development and academic enhancement for the IU football program in 2026 and is in his ninth year as the program’s NFL liaison where he serves as the primary conduit between the university’s football program and professional NFL teams. He helps to facilitate scouting visits, organize Pro Day, and advise players on the draft process.
In his player development role, he acts as a liaison between the players and coaching staff and serves as the primary contact between the players and the student welfare and development office, and academic services. Mark Murphy (2014), Harry Crider (2020) and Mark Langston (2025) have each claimed Academic All-America status during his time.
Pechac also serves as the immediate contact for players’ families and provides guidance and support to student-athletes, helping them navigate the collegiate environment on and off the field. His focus includes player support and mentorship, personal and professional development, health and wellness, transition support, and resource management.
He was a part of two College Football Playoff appearances (2024, 2025) and the program's first national championship going 16-0 in 2025. The Hoosiers have eight postseason games during his tenure: 2015 New Era Pinstripe Bowl, 2016 Foster Farms Bowl, 2020 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, 2021 Outback Bowl, 2025 CFP First Round, 2026 Rose Bowl, 2026 Peach Bowl and 2026 CFP National Championship Game.
He spent two seasons at Bowling Green State University (2012-13) as the academic coordinator for football. BGSU captured the 2013 Mid-American Conference championship and nine Falcons earned Academic All-MAC honors over his two seasons with the program. The Falcons played in the 2012 Military Bowl and 2013 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
He spent one seasons as a defensive quality control coach at Ohio State (2005) and the Buckeyes shared the Big Ten championship with Penn State and defeated Notre Dame in the 2006 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
Pechac began his career as a high school coach in northeast Ohio before his collegiate coaching journey started with stops at Malone (2002) Hiram (2003) and Otterbein (2010-2011) coaching the defensive line. He then coached tight ends at Columbus Brookhaven High School (2004), where CBHS captured its first state title with the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division II crown. A 15-0 record helped the Bearcats become the first Columbus City League football team to win a state championship.
A three-year letterwinner and All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection as a senior at Mount Union College, Pechac helped the Purple Raiders to the first two national championships in program history in 1993 and 1996. In 2025, Pechac was awarded The Duke Barrett Award of Excellence from Mount Union in recognition for career experience or activities that have brought honor and recognition to the individual and, in turn, Mount Union after graduation.
Pechac earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Mount Union (1998). He and his wife, Dr. Sharmaine Pechac, have three sons. Mike is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Sharmaine is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
