Westminster College names next head football coach

FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Westminster football program has found its next leader. The college announced on Wednesday that Luke Butts will take over for John Welty as Westminster's new head football coach.

Welty retired after the 2023 season, ending his 24-year career with the Westminster football program.

Butts served as defensive coordinator at Lake Forest College in Illinois for the past seven seasons. During his 11-year tenure at Lake Forest, Butts also served as the program's linebackers coach for six years and cornerbacks coach for five years.

Under Butts' leadership at defensive coordinator, Lake Forest won two consecutive Midwest Conference Championships in 2021 and 2022 for the first time in the program's history. Butts' defense also led NCAA Division III in total defense, scoring defense and third down percentage.

“My family and I are excited to join the Westminster community, and I would like to thank President Lofe, Derek Zander and the rest of the search committee for this opportunity. I had a wonderful experience throughout this process, and I look forward to working with the entire campus community as we strive to create the best experience possible for our Blue Jay student-athletes on and off the field as well as in the classroom,” Butts said in a press release. “To my family, former players, staff, and coaches, I cannot thank you enough, and to the Blue Jay Nation: Let’s get to work!”