Eastern Michigan's Ron English makes worst coaches list; Brady Hoke just outside best list
July is unofficially "list season" in the world of college football, with annual rankings and award watch lists popping up seeming ly everyday in anticipation of the upcoming college football slate.
Ron English is 10-38 in four years at Eastern Michigan
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com file
Eastern Michigan coach Ron English has landed on an undesirable one.
English was named one of the five worst coaches in college football Monday by Sports Illustrated. Columnist Stewart Mandel brought back the annual column, which names the 10 best and five worst coaches in the NCAA Division I ranks, after a six-year hiatus.
English made the revived list after compiling a 10-38 career record in four years at Eastern. The Eagles went 2-10 last season after going 6-6 the previous one. English is entering the final year of his five-year contract.
Illinois’ Tim Beckman, Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz, USC’s Lane Kiffin and Kansas’ Charlie Weis are also on the list, which is presented in alphabetical order. Alabama’s Nick Saban was named college football’s best coach while Michigan's Brady Hoke was one of five coaches mentioned as coaches who "could be on the list in three years."
Kyle Austin covers sports for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
hackman
Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 5:52 p.m.
Ron English is an excellent coach that EMU is fortunate to have. Hopefully this is bulletin board material for his players as they "circle the wagons"!
beardown
Wed, Jul 10, 2013 : 7:06 p.m.
An excellent coach, at least according to the posts here today, is a coach free of scandals. Winning or actually putting a good product on the field is not important. EMU needs to continue to pay this man $300k plus a year because he is supposedly a good person. And bulletin board material? They have been one of the lowest ranked programs in years and that didn't rile up the troops, so why would this?
lumberg48108
Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 6:48 p.m.
Define excellent coach please? You seem to want him to be more than he is; a below average coach with a poor record for 4 years
Julius
Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 5:11 p.m.
Not sure how you can judge the effectiveness of a coach when EMU is plan D for lots of student athletes. You're not getting the talent, plain and simple.
beardown
Wed, Jul 10, 2013 : 7:16 p.m.
And why is it plan D to them? That is the important question. It's not locale because players go to Boise or small MAC schools in the middle of nowhere to play. As much as Ypsi has some issues (I live there, just being honest), it beats Idaho winters or being in the middle of nowhere in southern Ohio. Players go to schools where they feel they can win and be seen, which includes other MAC schools. But for some reason, they don't want to go to EMU? Could it be a losing culture that the coach has continued from past regimes that keeps the players from being seen or getting on to NFL or major college radars? I'm sure English is a nice guy, but he doesn't win.
JGS
Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 3:52 p.m.
LOL Stewart Mandel? SI? Are either of these relevant anymore?
Iliketurtles
Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 2:29 p.m.
This is an awful list. For example, Penn State's Bill O'Brien, a big ten coach of the year and finalist for just about all national coach of the year awards, winning a few including ESPN coach of the year, he did not make the list and was not listed among those who could possibly make the list in three years. He took a shallow Penn State team that had quite a rocky start and finished the season 8-4. Even with his recruiting limitations he had a top 20 class in 2013 and his 2014 class is ranked in the top 20 currently. Is that not a good coach?
TruEMU_fan
Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 12:58 p.m.
So which is it folks? Complain that he's still here because EMU is fulfilling his contract, or complaining about firing him in the last year of his contract, being forced to pay his $300,000+ salary to him, find a new coach, and then pay the new coach even more? ala Charles Ramsey? Look, I don't disagree that he isn't a good coach, but you can't have it both ways. On the plus side, I have a lot of confidence in this new athletic director to pick a more suitable coach for EMU football #fingerscrossed
Fresh Start
Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 10:19 a.m.
I'm not convinced Coach Ron English should have to endure EMU's football whoas. There's no doubt EMU's football program needs a jump start and a paradigm shift in how they are viewed and considered by Faculty, Alumni, and Students. To compete and bring pride and passion back, the school needs to invest and transform themselves. Why not build a new highly visible state of the art stadium-somewhere EMU can been seen! Think BIG, get Dominos or Ford to chip in, sell naming rights, shake things up, take advantage of the Huron Valley setting, revitalize the city, enhance recruiting by giving the kids, faculty and alumni a stadium to be proud of. If you want people at games take a page from UM. Make it: fun, safe (ie friendly traffic cop podium), somewhat convenient for cars (use wayfinding, park on the lawn for $$ - its an experience, it needs to be walkable and pedestrian friendly, a quasi-short distance to restaurants and bars. Please partner up EMU/Ypsilanti we need this. If you want success you need to plan for it! We certainly do not need to have SI ripping our school, or coaches! Stand up! What's next our faculty, alumni and students?
beardown
Wed, Jul 10, 2013 : 7:23 p.m.
Their "whoas." Hopefully you aren't an EMU grad. And invest what money? Why would Ford or Dominos build a stadium? Where has this ever happened before? Companies pay for naming rights, but they don't build stadiums. And where are they going to build this new magnificent stadium closer to campus? Some schools are just not athletic schools. And EMU is one of them. President Martin should take this, on top of the decades of losing, as a sign to cut funding to the program and push to drop them a level so they can be competitive and they can fill their perfectly fine stadium that is a short walk from the campus where none of the students live. And then put the money they save back into the education EMU puts out.
lumberg48108
Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 1:01 p.m.
All that is fine and dandy but if you have watched or listened to all of EMU's games for the past 4 years you would not be convinced English is a good or even a decent coach! He is a terrible game manager and from the old-school Big Ten mentality that you sit on a 2point lead with 7 minutes to go and hope the defense holds up. The play calling was predictable and again, the game management was terrible. And the team routinely lost games at the start of the third quarter which leads to many to think half time adjustments made by the other team were not answered in kind.
Tru2Blu76
Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 9:41 a.m.
On Mandel's "5 Worst" list, only Lane Kiffin, USC. is a genuine "hit." Kiffin was a wonder boy and USC was scrambling (as Michigan once did) to find a head coach after a scandal-ridden departure by the previous head coach (who was once on a "best coach" list himself). The rest of Mandel's list is a monument to non-thinking (and a blatant appeal to the non-thinking segment of football fandom). Well, anyway, it's clear we're in the Season of No Football because sports writers are casting about for non-issue / non-material to fill the Big Blank Space between football seasons. Yawn, sip iced tea, roll over on the couch and take a nap. Oh, and salute to Ron English - I hope you have better luck than that which you've been getting, Ron.
Keith Hafner
Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 1:33 a.m.
Some do things in the real world. Others, not able to be in the arena, are relegated to criticizing those who act; who risk.
tim
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 11 p.m.
Has EMU ever been a powerhouse ? For some reason player are not attracted to Eastern, but one thing for sure Jeff Genyk was a much better coach that people gave him credit for.
mun
Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 2:53 p.m.
They were good in the late 80s when Harkema was the coach.
Cash
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 10:43 p.m.
To beat it all.......Bobby Petrino is his choice for one of the BEST coaches! After the scandal of a year ago.....one of the BEST coaches. Yes, he sure taught the players a lot didn't he?
Pete Cunningham
Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 9:57 a.m.
Character issues aside, I thought Petrino was the oddest choice on the list, too. He had the same amount of wins last year as Bear Bryant.
Tom
Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 1:56 a.m.
Right on Cash. We all pay way too much homage to winning and being number 1. A successful college coach takes a raw young man and turns him into a hard-working and respectable and respected citizen. I wonder how many college Profs can claim the same? I suggest most students pass through college with little mentorship going on and when they graduate they are as clueless about life as when they entered. College sports is somehow different yet we seem to ignore this very positive aspect and just want to focus on the won-loss record.
Cash
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 10:06 p.m.
With all of the scandals and violations etc in the past couple of years in college football, I think the coaches involved in those activities are the worst, whether they won or lost a game.
Doug
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 9:24 p.m.
When the good players go elsewhere the coach has to do the best he can with what he has. Give English the U of M team and he would be a winner.
beardown
Wed, Jul 10, 2013 : 7:02 p.m.
Apologists. Other coaches at MAC schools can recruit decent talent, some making BCS bowls (NIU). Why can't English? Other BCS schools win more than 4 games a year. Why can't English? Other MAC schools draw more than the 1500 people to games. Why can't English? And what has he done to earn a top job outside of fail in a conference that produces top coaching talent?
Tag
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 10:16 p.m.
He should have gotten the Michigan team, instead of RR.
Hugh Giariola
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 9:08 p.m.
Maybe Eastern would be better off without D1 football. A) they historically suck, and B) the football program costs the university WAY too much money for a team that sucks.
Tag
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 10:23 p.m.
The location of the football stadium so far to the west of campus doesn't help. Most of the student population lives the other direction and a large percentage are commuters that don't come anywhere near campus (or any sports) on weekends.
Hugh Giariola
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 9:09 p.m.
Before all of the downvotes, yes I am an EMU student.
oldguy
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 8:43 p.m.
If Hack Mandell is making a penny more than minimum wage, he`s overpaid !!
Michigwen
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 8:33 p.m.
Mandel's just made my list of worst sports analysts. How much does he get paid to provide such a superficial analysis as citing Eastern's win-loss record? For the reasons other commentators have cited, an insightful analysis would take account of a variety of factors and just might show some knowledge and understanding of how the game of football is played.
discgolfgeek
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 7:38 p.m.
Ron English turns boys into man and has about the toughest recruiting job in America. If he is willing to stay, keep him.
beardown
Wed, Jul 10, 2013 : 7 p.m.
Toughest recruiting job in America? Really? So how do other MAC schools keep pumping out winners when he keeps losing to FCS teams? I am assuming that this is not a jab at him personally. He's just a bad coach who has made a bad program even worse.
lumberg48108
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 8:18 p.m.
Like it or not, at this level its about winning and losing; not molding men! He is gone after this year! Either he has a great year and gets plucked by a big school (good for him) or he maintains the status quo and the new AD is forced to make a change. But this has nothing to do with his "willing to stay" - don't kid yourself
SemperFi
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 6:49 p.m.
If you're going to make a list of the 5 Worst Coaches in college football, shouldn't you include character as one of the traits? If you use that, Coach English would not be on the list.
Doug
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 9:28 p.m.
If you include character Saban would be on this list.
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 6:39 p.m.
English seems to be going the wrong direction at EMU. Last season's debacle didn't help his cause. I can't imagine a good reason to hire him out of EMU into another head coaching job if he doesn't produce at EMU - at least a produce a mediocre team. Perhaps the new AD will help some, but why anyone would ever take that EMU football job is beyond me. That said - this from the article: Just missed: Notre Dame's Brian Kelly, South Carolina's Steve Spurrier, Louisville's Charlie Strong, Georgia's Mark Richt, Arkansas' Bret Bielema Any sportswriter that includes Bret Bielema in that list is obviously not too good. Arkansas will be very sorry they hired him, while those in the land of Cheese and Butter were glad to see him go.
Hailmary
Sun, Jul 14, 2013 : 4:23 p.m.
Agree !
Hailmary
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 6:37 p.m.
That kind of reporting, cheap shot, crap is outrageous and a low blow to a coaches integrity. I don't remember coach Sabin doing as well at Mich. state as he did at LSU and he is currently doing at Alabama. You can see the obvious difference in recruiting ability alone between Mich. and Mich. State. I hope this article does not affect Ron's livlihood.
beardown
Wed, Jul 10, 2013 : 6:57 p.m.
You really just compared a HOF coach to a guy who can't even beat lower division teams? And Sabin's worst season, playing against a tougher group of opponents (Big Ten vs the MAC) was a 6 win season. English hasn't even achieved that yet against weaker opponents. Conferences like the MAC are breeding grounds for great coaches because it gives them a sandbox to learn their craft and win games. Miami, OH and BGSU are notable examples and have sent coaches on to top programs. Why shouldn't EMU?
Kyle Austin
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 6:14 p.m.
If it wasn't for last year's regression, it's hard to see English on this list. Before that he had gone from 0 to 2 to 6 wins in his three years. But if you read the story, Mandel explains how he gives the most recent season the most weight in determining the rankings. And I think a few commenters have made a good point about how not all situations are created equal and that's not really reflected in rankings like these
beardown
Wed, Jul 10, 2013 : 6:55 p.m.
0 to 2 to 4 and then back to 2. And two of the wins in that 6 win season didn't count towards BCS standings because they were from a lesser division. And, he even played a FCS team last year (Illinois State) and lost to them and I believe has two on the docket this year so that the team might be able to get a couple of wins (which don't count towards bowl eligibility). If English had the academic requirements of a Duke or a Northwestern to fight against, I would say that he is truly behind the 8 ball and should be given a break. But he doesn't. In the end, he is the football coach, it is his failure when the team loses because he recruited those players and he put them out there.
Tag
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 5:51 p.m.
Coach English is in a really tough spot, but he's gotta have some success. It's not easy to coach and recruit talent at Eastern and the university and student body doesn't support the program. I really like English and know he's a good coach but he does have to win. What will it take for the EMU program to be successful?
lumberg48108
Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 12:56 p.m.
@Tag Are you assuming pedigree means D-1? Cause I dont You recruit a successful D-IA or even D-2 coach who has proven himself a winner. It will be a huge step up in pay and exposure and if their career track is for a major program, they will jump at the opportunity. Think Jim Tressell or Brian Kelly - they earned their way to the Big Ten. They are out there - you just have to find them. Your argument about no one caring is circular --- if its not successful over the long haul no one will care - cause its not successful etc
Tag
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 10:14 p.m.
@Cash - Agree he doesn't deserve to be called one of the 5 worst coaches. @Lumberg - How is EMU going to hire a head coach with a proven track record of success? No one with that pedigree would come to EMU without a truck load of money, which EMU doesn't have. EMU really should just kill the football program. They aren't competitive. Have almost zero history of being competitive. It's a drain on the school budget. It's not supported by the: Students, Alumni, Administration or local population. The problem isn't Ron English; the problem is no one cares about EMU football.
lumberg48108
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 7:36 p.m.
Perhaps EMU needs to hire a coach with a proven track record of success? The last four hires were all assistants from big name schools with ZERO experience in head coaching or building a program of any kind! The next hire needs to be one with a track record, not potential.
Cash
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 6:09 p.m.
The "program" is one thing; selecting him as one of 5 worst coaches in football is another thing in my book.
Cash
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 5:48 p.m.
Disgusting that they would bring back such a bunch of garbage after 6 years. That hiatus needs to be made permanent. Ron English doesn't deserve this kind of cheap shot from SI or from Ann Arbor.com for that matter. Repeating garbage doesn't make it any better. I read a lot of sport articles. So I hereby choose Stewart Mandel as the worst sports reporter in America. Maybe Ann Arbor,com can report on that.... Headline: Cash names Stewart Mandel the worst sports reporter in America.
metrichead
Wed, Jul 10, 2013 : 6:53 a.m.
The comments by English a form of black-on-black racism. Many African-American households are single-parent headed (usually mothers).
ArthGuinness
Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 2:29 a.m.
I missed the two-parent household comment when it happened. Reviewing the stories, I find no evidence that it was racist. Did I miss something? It did, however, appear sexist.
metrichead
Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 12:23 a.m.
Cash, you do know he's referred to his own players as "cancers," correct? Or that he's made racist remarks about wanting to recruit players from two-parent households? For the money he makes and the results he's produced, it's hard to not see him as one of the worst coaches in the country. If he's willing to throw mud, he better be ready to catch some.
Cash
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 10:31 p.m.
Buzz, I can read and comment without anyone's permission, but thanks for the offer.
Buzz Buzz
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 10:09 p.m.
How is this a "cheap shot"? These people are in the public eye -- much like politicians -- and I appreciate annarbor.com reporting it. If you don't like the news, don't read it. Or perhaps you don't like it because it's the truth? After all, I think EMU's football record speaks for itself.
annarboral
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 5:38 p.m.
This is a really cheap shot. Nick Saban wouldn't do much better at Eastern. It's a very long term rebuilding project and needs continuity to succeed.
beardown
Wed, Jul 10, 2013 : 6:48 p.m.
He has had a full class of recruits and still is regressing and usually only pick up wins against FCS teams..and even lose to them too. Any other team, even in the MAC or lower conferences, would have fired him last year after his first full recruiting class failed to yield positive results. It's not a cheap shot, it's reality.
Buzz Buzz
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 10:11 p.m.
"Long term" = an eternity.