Lake Forest College Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator Luke Butts, a 2012 graduate of the College, was announced as the new head coach at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, on Wednesday.
After a year as the outside linebackers coach at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky, Butts returned to Lake Forest prior to the 2013 season and has helped the team post a 74-31 overall record and 53-16 mark in Midwest Conference play with a pair of league titles and NCAA Playoff appearances since joining the staff.
Butts was the Foresters' cornerbacks coach for his first five seasons and soon added special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator responsibilities. He was elevated to defensive coordinator/linebackers coach six years ago and earned an additional promotion to associate head coach in 2021.
Under the leadership of Butts, Lake Forest's defense led the nation with just 5.6 points, 191.1 total yards, and 11 first downs allowed per game in 2023. The Foresters also limited opponents to the lowest pass efficiency (76.68) and third down conversion rate (18.9%) in the country while ranking among the leaders in numerous other categories. Butts has directed the league's top scoring defense each of the last four years and at least one Forester defensive lineman, linebacker, and defensive back have been named First Team All-MWC for seven consecutive seasons.
A three-time all-conference selection and four-year starter at safety when he played for the Foresters, Butts still ranks among the program's career leaders in tackles and interceptions. He was also an Academic All-MWC honoree, team captain, all-region selection, and recipient of the College's Nick Wasylik Senior Athletic Award.
Butts becomes the second coach and alumnus in recent years to leave Lake Forest for a head coaching position at the NCAA Division III level, joining Ted Soenksen '06, the head coach at Beloit College since 2019. No other program in the conference has had multiple assistants named head coach at NCAA institutions in the last decade.
"I am thrilled for Luke and his wife Danielle as they embark on this next chapter of the 'Coaching life,'" began Catanzaro. "Luke has worked tirelessly to make Lake Forest Football better than when he arrived as a player in 2009. I have enjoyed working with him in every capacity that he has served our institution. He never once limited himself to a job title and always looked for ways to enhance the Forester Football student-athlete experience. One of the goals for our program is to make great coaches by leading and educating the players and developing the assistants. I am thrilled that Luke has worked diligently to fully commit himself to this tenant. I look forward to watching his continued success as he takes over the Westminster football program."
