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.