Eastern Michigan's Ron English feels 'rejuvenated' since adding defensive coordinator duties
Eastern Michigan head football coach Ron English laughs as he answers questions from the press during MAC Football Media Day at Ford Field in Detroit on Tuesday.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
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When Eastern Michigan football coach Ron English was asked why he named himself defensive coordinator, he delivered one of his signature scowls and a blunt, one-liner.
“Because I can’t get a better one,” English said at MAC Football Media Day at Ford Field on Tuesday.
Despite what the scowl might suggest, English explained that his happiness has spiked since making the move.
“I’m just more happy going to work because I know I can influence the players and the team on both sides of the football. It’s just, I feel real excited, rejuvenated to coach the defense and I’m real excited to see if I’m any good still,” English said. “But we’ll see, we’ll see here very soon, but I think I am. I’ve done it at a high level everywhere I’ve been.”
The reason English became a head coach is because of his defensive expertise. English was the defensive coordinator at Michigan during the 2006 and 2007 seasons and at Louisville in 2008. In his previous four years as Eastern's head coach, he was not in charge of a specific unit.
Eastern Michigan head coach Ron English rose to prominence as a defensive coordinator for the University of Michigan.
Alan Warren | Ann Arbor News file photo
“I would tell any coach, coach a position on that team because that’s why you got there, that’s your area of expertise and I think that’s where you can have great influence,” English said.
English made the switch after Phil Snow - who had been Eastern’s defensive coordinator for the past three years - left to take the same position at Temple in January. There’s nowhere to go but up for the Eagles defense, which was last in the MAC in total defense and rushing defense in 2012 while going 2-10.
“It’s just what I like to do and when we had a change I immediately, I wanted to get back to that side of the ball anyway,” English said.
Players have noticed a difference in English since the switch.
“He’s always been a hands on kind of coach, but I can tell he has a kind of enthusiasm about himself at practice and I like that,” said defensive lineman Kalonji Thomas. “He is a great defensive coordinator and he really knows how to reach and touch each player to get a better reaction out of him, he really has that gift.
“It’s working very well.”
English will be Eastern’s third defensive coordinator in his five year tenure as head coach. His staff will also have a new offensive coordinator, linebackers, secondary, offensive line and special teams coaches during the 2013 season.
English said the turnover doesn’t concern him because he’s happy with the end results.
“When you’re further along in your tenure, you know exactly what you’re looking for, what kind of pieces fit,” English said. “I think we were fortunate to get pieces that fit well.”
Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at petercunningham@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.
Comments
zucker
Wed, Jul 24, 2013 : 1:43 a.m.
This has the end of the Ron English era written all over it. Some guys are just better at being coordinators and make a huge mistake when they take the WRONG head coaching job. English is a good football coach and knows defense. But coaching at EMU was a HUGE mistake on his part. He could have done better if he was more patient. If he had waited for the right job, he would have been successful. Problem now is that he likely wont get another shot at a head coaching job because of his failure at EMU.
BGSU_FALCON
Thu, Aug 1, 2013 : 12:43 p.m.
Yeah, he could have waited, but there was no guarantee he would have had the coaching opportunity years ago. Eastern wouldn't have been my first choice either. This will be a make-or-break season for him. After last year's 2-10 record, they need to win at least four games, which is doable (Western Mich., Howard, Central and Buffalo). If they lose, but have a good showing against Penn State, Northern Illinois and Rutgers, he should keep his job for another year.
Tag
Tue, Jul 23, 2013 : 10:16 p.m.
Well, I hope this works..... or..... Couldn't find anyone to take the job as captain on the titanic.
7718
Tue, Jul 23, 2013 : 9:22 p.m.
Since he hired himself as DC, will he also fire himself if himself if there is no improvement?