10 Quick Questions with Coach Luke Butts

As the new head coach of Blue Jays football, Luke Butts hit the ground running after joining the College’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in January. His Westminster career officially launched on Jan. 3, 2024, when Butts’ young family ― wife, Danielle, and daughters Sydney and Lainey ― joined him for a press conference in the Coulter Science Center Lecture Hall. Since that time, the head coach’s household has grown, with Danielle delivering baby Kallie Jay on Feb. 6. Back at work, Butts has rounded out his coaching staff and is concentrating on the 2024-2025 academic year.

Read more about Butts’ plans for Westminster’s football program and what the former resident of Antioch, Illinois, does when he isn’t coaching or recruiting new Blue Jays.

1. How are you and your family settling in so far at Westminster and in the local community?
   It’s been a great experience so far for me. We have lots of work to do, but my staff and I have thoroughly enjoyed our first couple weeks getting to know our student-athletes and laying the foundation for the culture we are striving to build here at WestMO. The people here on campus and in the local community have been so supportive and great resources as we continue to settle in here. Unfortunately, my family won’t move down to Fulton until later in the year. Miss them like crazy, but I am beyond thankful for my wife’s support to make this possible!
2. We hear the Blue Jays are anticipating a new style of football under your leadership. What will that look like?
   I think the biggest thing we have stressed to the players and that I have emphasized to the staff that our style of football needs to be adaptable. We still need to truly evaluate our current roster to assist in the development of our schemes so that we put our players in the best possible situations for success. In regards to a new style, from a holistic perspective, it’ll be a fun style of football to watch. Our kids will play with relentless effort, discipline, and togetherness ― all pillars of the foundation and culture we are striving to build this off-season and will continue to build into fall camp this August.
3. What is your overall coaching style?
   I emphasize passion and commitment to the daily development of the student-athlete. My number one goal is to help push and transcend the Blue Jay student-athletes to be the best version of themselves in everything they do.
4. What is your current approach to recruiting student-athletes for the next academic year?
   First and foremost, we have to find the right fits for WestMO. Our staff is diligently trying to identify prospective student-athletes who value what we have to offer here institutionally and also those who are excited about the vision and future of the Blue Jays football program. We want student-athletes who value the advantageousness of attending a small college that can provide a big impact.
5. What do you like most about coaching?
   I love being able to make a difference in the lives of the student-athletes I coach. There is nothing more rewarding in this profession than to just simply serve and lead those in our program on a daily basis. We have the opportunity as coaches to foster an environment and build a culture that can promote and develop the habits necessary to be successful during our student-athletes’ four years here at WestMO, but more importantly, we have the opportunity to influence them for the rest of their lives.
6. If you could have any other job in the world outside of sports, what would it be?
   Great question … I would probably put my degree in economics to work in some capacity.
7. What are your hobbies and interests?
   I love spending time with my family. My daughters are the best. I simply enjoy being able to spend as much time with them as possible, even if that is only via FaceTime until they move down here.
8. What is the title of the last book you read (or your favorite novel)?
   Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable by Tim Grover.
9. Speed round: What are your favorite foods, TV shows, and movies?
   Favorite foods: cheeseburgers, fries, steak, burritos, and wings.
   TV Shows: Ted Lasso, Chicago PD, Chicago Fire, and NCIS LA.
   Movies: The Dark Knight, Draft Day, and
10. What is something about you that nobody else knows?
    I’m a big yard dad during the spring and summer months. I enjoy the mowing, edging, mulching, and planting of shrubs and flowers.