When the press release came into our inbox yesterday announcing that Ron English had been dismissed as Eastern Michigan’s head coach, it was somewhat perplexing in its timing. Yes, the Eagles are in the midst of an eight-game losing streak, and EMU was just 11-46 in English’s four-plus seasons at the school, but the fact that it came one day before a game against an in-state rival made it head-scratching to say the least.
Now, however, we know the rest of the story. Or, at least, a portion of the rest of the story.
In another release sent out early Saturday afternoon, athletic director Heather Lyke revealed in a statement that she had “received a tape” recently “of a situation in which Coach English had addressed the team and used wholly inappropriate language.” Suffice to say, the content of the tape was not divulged.
Whatever it was, however, was in no way, shape or form acceptable in Lyke’s eyes.
"[T]here is no place, particularly in a student environment, where this language is appropriate,” Lyke’s statement read, in part. “The statements made by Coach English are absolutely unacceptable.”
While the tape wasn’t solely responsible for English’s dismissal, it was the final nail in his coaching coffin.
“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,” Lyke said.
Offensive coordinator Stan Parrish will take over the team on an interim basis and until a permanent replacement is found.
UPDATED 2:38: To listen to what’s allegedly the audio that was the cause of English’s dismissal, click HERE. Warning: unless you work in a steelyard or drive a truck or something of that ilk, the language is decidedly NSFW.