Eastern Michigan's Ron English fired for 'inappropriate comments'

Ron English failed to turn the Eastern Michigan Eagles into a competitive football team in the Mid American Conference. More than likely he probably would've been fired but the ax came down earlier than expected for English after an audio tape surfaced of English using 'inappropriate language' to his players during a tirade.



Explained Heather Lyke, the school’s athletic director: “I received a tape of a situation in which Coach English had addressed the team and used wholly inappropriate language. We hold our coaches and staff to high standards of professionalism and conduct and there is no place, particularly in a student environment, where this language is appropriate. The statements made by Coach English are absolutely unacceptable. My decision to make a change in leadership of our football program was the culmination of a lot of factors including the comprehensive review of our program, the competitive performance and this tape.”

The timing was pretty odd since Eastern was scheduled to play their cross state rival Western Michigan. With the combined team performance and offensive remarks Lyke figure it was time for English to go.

Two years ago it looked like English had the program on the right track when the team finished 6-6.

English was 11-46 and 7-30 in the MAC. Offensive coordinator Stan Parrish will take over on an interim basis until the end of the season.

Coaches that could be in trouble this season

The college football season is fast approaching. While some teams are in clear rebuilding mode, some teams are forever rebuilding. Or there are some that have plateaued or underachieved. That normally lands a coach in hot water. I have an opinion on who might be in trouble this year if their team can't catch a lucky break.

Mike London, Virginia- London came to Charlottesville with some impressive credentials after two years at Richmond. He had a 4-8 season his first year but orchestrated an 8-5 turnaround in his second season and won ACC coach of the year, which inflated fans and administrators' expectations. After taking a step back with another 4-8 season the heat is on London's Cavaliers squad to at least make a bowl game. If not London could find himself looking for another job.

Ron English, Eastern Michigan- It doesn't help when you inherit a hopeless situation. It also doesn't help when Sports Illustrated names you as one of the five worst coaches in college football. Two years ago it looked like the Eagles were poised to turn the corner after posting a 6-6 record. After last year's 2-10 record it looks like it was more of a fluke than legit. With Northern Illinois going to a BCS bowl last year, Eastern Michigan needs some dramatic improvement for English to keep his job. That's a steep hill to climb.

Lane Kiffin, USC- This is an obvious choice and everyone knows why. After being hailed as a national championship contender last season and thought of as the team to end the SEC's championship dominance the Trojans failed miserably, finishing at 7-6. Kiffin is more bluster than sideline genius, but he did get a vote of confidence from athletic director Pat Haden. Doesn't make Kiffin secure but the Trojans better be in the Rose Bowl conversation in November and December.    

Kirk Ferentz, Iowa- Even though Ferentz has been at Iowa for 14 years, this is a what have you done for me lately business. Ferentz has twice dragged the Hawkeyes out of mediocrity and into national prominence. He's also been named Big Ten coach of the year three times.  If the Hawkeyes lose to another MAC team or two, and if they finish below .500 in conference play in what appears to be a less-than-stellar Big Ten, it might finally make fiscal sense to get Ferentz out of town. The Hawkeyes were 4-8 last season and finished with six straight losses to end the season.

June Jones, SMU- This might be a little unfair since the Mustangs still haven't fully recovered from the 'death penalty' levied by the NCAA. After his success at Hawaii I'm pretty sure the administrators at SMU were looking forward to seven win seasons and mediocrity. They want to be a BCS buster/playoff contender. I think Jones is secure at SMU but you never know.

Gary Pinkel, Missouri- This also might be unfair since Pinkel will now be judged on what he does in the SEC than for his full body of work. He made the Tigers nationally relevant and achieved a No.1 ranking at one point in 2007 when they finished at No.4. The Tigers suffered some injuries to their main playmakers last season derailed their potent offense but were just a few plays from being bowl eligible. If things don't turn around soon, he might be out as head coach of Missouri. However, no one should ever doubt the amazing job he has done at Missouri.   

Ron English Needs To Think Before He Speaks

Normally anything to do with Eastern Michigan football is relevant. I'm from the area so I should know. They've been lousy for quite a while and have ran through a bevy of coaches. Current head Eagle in charge Ron English has a monumental task for a program whose greatest acheivement is their win in the1987 California Bowl. Yes, that game doesn't exist anymore and they were also the Hurons back then. CBSSports.com has them rated 119th out of 120 FBS schools. And now the aformentioned English decided what kind of family potential recruits should come out of.


In a July 31 story in the Detroit News, English said: "We wanted guys that had a father in their background. A guy that's raised by his mom all the time, and please don't take me wrong, but the reality is that you've got to teach that guy how to be taught by a man." Ok Ron, go insulting single mothers,meanwhile killing your recruiting.

I hate to say it, but a lot of these kids do come from broken homes and use football as a means to improve themselves. Their high school coaches become more of the father figure to them. In some cases their mothers are doing their best to hold things together, in the meantime instilling their kids with morals and pride and hoping they don't fall prey to the dangers of the streeets.

Some of the area high school coaches also took offense to English's comment, since they know that some of the kids they coach wouldn't meet his standards.


"I didn't have a father," said Southwestern coach Andre Harlan, who played for Earl Moore at Murray-Wright. "I was raised by my mother, and I didn't do anything dumb. I didn't cause Coach Moore any problems. My mother raised me and my two brothers in the Brewster Projects -- that's a drug haven -- and we never sold drugs or did drugs and we all have master's degrees."


Renaissance coach Antonio Watts played at Cody and found football to be something that reinforced his mother's teachings.

"I was raised by my mother," he said. "She instilled values in me, and football enhanced her values."

Not that Eastern gets the pick of the litter when it comes to recruits to begin with, but this could be a program killer unless he mends the fences and quickly. In today's world you have to relate to thyour players, no matter what they're background is. English needs to think before he speaks about certain topics.