Eastern Michigan: a football coaching history
See Eastern Michigan’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →← all coaches
Stature and coaches, 1975–2026
The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.
DynastyBlue BloodPower ProgramNational ProgramRegional Program
Run↔pass identity, by season
Every coach
Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.
2014–now
Chris Creighton Steady
Chris Creighton moved Eastern Michigan from Regional Program VI to Regional Program IV in 13 seasons.
2015 defense ranked in the 1th percentile nationally — historically bad
+7.7 pts over 13 seasons · bottom 32% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)
Closest comparable run: George O'Leary’s UCF run (2004–2015)
4th-best Eastern Michigan tenure of 7 by the numbers.
Followed Ron English (2009–2013).
System Shift, on arrival
| Season | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||||||||
| Record | 2-10 | 1-11 | 7-6 | 5-7 | 7-6 | 6-7 | 2-4 | 7-6 | 9-4 | 6-7 | 5-7 | 4-8 | 4-5 | |
| Postseason | — | — | L bowl | — | L bowl | L bowl | — | L bowl | W bowl | L bowl | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #123 | #115 | #121 | #123 | #110 | #122 | #115 | #111 | #123 | #87 | #93 | #97 | #106 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||||||||
| Pass rate | 41.8 | 49.3 | 52.0 | 50.8 | 44.1 | 52.7 | 47.6 | 50.0 | 43.9 | 45.5 | 46.8 | 50.9 | 55.2 | |
| Coordinators | ||||||||||||||
| OC | Kalen DeBoer | Kalen DeBoer | Kalen DeBoer | Aaron Keen | Aaron Keen | Aaron Keen | Chris Creighton | Chris Creighton | Chris Creighton | Mike Piatkowski | Mike Piatkowski | Mike Piatkowski | Mike Piatkowski | |
| DC | Brad McCaslin | Brad McCaslin | Neal Neathery | Neal Neathery | Neal Neathery | Neal Neathery | Neal Neathery | Neal Neathery | Neal Neathery | Ben Needham | Ben Needham | Ben Needham | Tate Omli / Kasey Teegardin | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||||||||
| Offense | 3 | 37 | 57 | 24 | 33 | 82 | 62 | 31 | 73 | 5 | 12 | 66 | 21 | |
| Defense | 3 | 1 | 19 | 59 | 84 | 12 | 19 | 12 | 23 | 16 | 42 | 31 | 24 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 33.3 | 37.8 | 45.7 | 46.2 | 39.8 | 50.8 | 45.6 | 52.5 | 39.6 | 39.6 | 48.5 | 44.8 | 55.7 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 38.2 | 46.7 | 43.9 | 43.4 | 39.8 | 40.0 | 36.2 | 40.5 | 31.0 | 30.9 | 33.9 | 40.0 | 50.8 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 20.8 | 29.2 | 16.3 | 29.2 | 42.3 | 31.7 | 29.6 | 37.5 | 45.9 | 17.6 | 33.3 | 24.3 | 36.4 | |
Recruiter or developer?
Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.
Offense vs. talent
+6.6 pts
#74 of 208 · middle half
Defense vs. talent
-9.7 pts
#149 of 208 · middle half
Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.
Roster construction · portal era
A typical amount of portal roster-building.
Portal arrivals
66
2.9★ avg rating
Portal departures
117
left via the portal
Net portal flow
-51
#112 of 187 FBS stints
Who they bring in
Brings in smaller-than-position-typical players than most.
Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.
Avg. size (raw)
6′2″, 242 lbs
across 47 of 66 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix
Size vs. position-typical
+0.4 lbs
#229 of 255 · bottom quarter
Avg. class year
Jr
#42 of 255 · top quarter
Top states: MI (10), FL (4), GA (3), OH (3), VA (3)
Who won the portal our read
Talent added
52.4
position-weighted
Talent lost
54.1
position-weighted
Net
-1.7
arrivals minus departures
Best addition: Cole Snyder (QB) from Buffalo
Biggest loss: Jairus Grissom (QB) to the portal
Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.
Does the system survive a coordinator change?
OC: Kalen DeBoer → Aaron Keen · 2017The offense slipped
2-season window either side.
1st-down pass rate: 41.8% → 43.0% (+1.2 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 81% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
OC: Aaron Keen → Chris Creighton · 2020The system held
2-season window either side.
1st-down pass rate: 45.3% → 49.0% (+3.7 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 36% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
OC: Chris Creighton → Mike Piatkowski · 2023The offense collapsed across the change
2-season window either side.
1st-down pass rate: 46.1% → 44.1% (-2.0 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 50% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
OC: Mike Piatkowski → Mike Piatkowski · 2026
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
1st-down pass rate: 44.8% → 55.7% (+10.9 pts)
Confound, shown not hidden: only 72% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.
DC: Brad McCaslin → Neal Neathery · 2016The defense leveled up
2-season window either side.
DC: Neal Neathery → Ben Needham · 2023The system held
2-season window either side.
DC: Ben Needham → Tate Omli (co) / Kasey Teegardin (co) · 2026
1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.
Roster size, by position
Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)
Quarterback
208 lbs
6′2″ avg · #520 of 767 · middle half
Running back
205 lbs
5′10″ avg · #507 of 791 · middle half
Wide receiver
186 lbs
5′11″ avg · #679 of 791 · bottom quarter
Tight end
248 lbs
6′4″ avg · #276 of 731 · middle half
Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters
Interior line
301 lbs
6′5″ avg · #683 of 779 · bottom quarter
D-line
265 lbs
6′2″ avg · #717 of 753 · bottom quarter
Linebacker
225 lbs
6′1″ avg · #542 of 772 · middle half
Cornerback
186 lbs
6′0″ avg · #583 of 771 · bottom quarter
Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.
Where the roster comes from, by position
Buys Quarterback via the portal
67%
#16 of 206 stints
Grows Long snapper from high school
80%
#13 of 13 stints
Grows Kicker from high school
78%
#52 of 56 stints
Postseason detail2016: Lost to Old Dominion 20-24 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl2018: Lost to Georgia Southern 21-23 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl2019: Lost to Pittsburgh 30-34 Quick Lane Bowl2021: Lost to Liberty 20-56 LendingTree Bowl2022: Beat San José State 41-27 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl2023: Lost to South Alabama 10-59 68 Ventures Bowl
5 NFL Draft picks: Darius Jackson (2016), Pat O'Connor (2017), Maxx Crosby (2019), Sidy Sow (2023), Jose Ramirez (2023)
AI Narratives — “Eastern Michigan — stat check”.
+7.7
65-88
2009–2013
Ron English Steady
Ron English slid the Eagles from Regional Program V to Regional Program VI in 5 seasons.
No outlier style signal this stint
−3.8 pts over 5 seasons · bottom 43% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Jim Wacker’s Minnesota run (1992–1996)
7th-best Eastern Michigan tenure of 7 by the numbers.
Followed Jeff Genyk (2004–2008) · succeeded by Stan Parrish (2013).
System Shift, on arrival
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||
| Record | 0-12 | 2-10 | 6-6 | 2-10 | 1-8 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #104 | #111 | #111 | #108 | #112 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||
| Pass rate | 43.7 | 35.6 | 25.1 | 40.7 | 43.0 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||
| Offense | 6 | 13 | 39 | 14 | 12 | |
| Defense | 10 | 15 | 75 | 20 | 12 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 34.0 | 29.1 | 20.9 | 31.0 | 33.2 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 29.2 | 15.2 | 18.7 | 35.9 | 36.5 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 17.9 | 47.2 | 23.3 | 33.3 | 33.3 | |
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Tight end from high school
100%
#164 of 188 stints
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
−3.8
11-46
2004–2008
Jeff Genyk Steady
Jeff Genyk held Eastern Michigan at Regional Program V for 5 seasons.
2006 offense ranked in the 5th percentile nationally — historically bad
+0.2 pts over 5 seasons · top 33% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Charlie Partridge’s Florida Atlantic run (2014–2016)
6th-best Eastern Michigan tenure of 7 by the numbers.
Followed Jeff Woodruff (2000–2003) · succeeded by Ron English (2009–2013).
System Shift, on departure
| Season | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||
| Record | 4-7 | 4-7 | 1-11 | 4-8 | 3-9 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #105 | #115 | #112 | #111 | #110 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||
| Pass rate | 53.9 | 54.0 | 49.7 | 44.1 | 54.4 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||
| Offense | 71 | 49 | 5 | 32 | 53 | |
| Defense | 42 | 23 | 32 | 5 | 24 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 45.5 | 48.5 | 41.5 | 36.1 | 45.8 | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | 48.5 | 39.4 | 37.8 | 48.9 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | 27.5 | 23.1 | 41.7 | 50.0 | |
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Tight end from high school
100%
#164 of 188 stints
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
3 NFL Draft picks: Chris Roberson (2005), Jason Jones (2008), T.J. Lang (2009)
+0.2
16-42
2000–2003
Jeff Woodruff Steady
Jeff Woodruff slid Eastern Michigan from Regional Program IV to Regional Program V in 4 seasons.
−6.2 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 29% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: David Beaty’s Kansas run (2015–2018)
5th-best Eastern Michigan tenure of 7 by the numbers.
Followed Rick Rasnick (1995–1999) · succeeded by Jeff Genyk (2004–2008).
Where the roster comes from, by position
Grows Edge from high school
100%
#191 of 208 stints
Grows Interior line from high school
100%
#198 of 224 stints
1 NFL Draft pick: Kevin Walter (2003)
−6.2
11-35
1995–1999
Rick Rasnick Steady
Rick Rasnick moved the Eagles from Regional Program V to Regional Program IV in 5 seasons.
+5.0 pts over 5 seasons · top 14% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Hal Mumme’s Kentucky run (1997–2000)
3rd-best Eastern Michigan tenure of 7 by the numbers.
Followed Ron Cooper (1993–1994) · succeeded by Jeff Woodruff (2000–2003).
2 NFL Draft picks: Charlie Batch (1998), L.J. Shelton (1999)
+5.0
20-35
1992
Jan Quarless Short tenure
1-6
1983–1992
Jim Harkema Steady
Jim Harkema moved the Eagles from Regional Program V to Regional Program IV in 10 seasons.
+5.5 pts over 10 seasons · bottom 23% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Dan McCarney’s Iowa State run (1995–2006)
2nd-best Eastern Michigan tenure of 7 by the numbers.
Followed Bob LaPointe (1982) · succeeded by Jan Quarless (1992).
| Season | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||||||
| Record | 1-10 | 2-7-2 | 4-7 | 6-5 | 10-2 | 6-3-1 | 7-3-1 | 2-9 | 3-7-1 | 0-4 | |
| Postseason | — | — | — | — | W bowl | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Postseason detail1987: Beat San José State 30-27 Bowl
+5.5
41-57-5
1982
Bob LaPointe Short tenure
1-6-1
1978–1982
Mike Stock Steady
Mike Stock slid Eastern Michigan from Regional Program II to Regional Program III in 4 seasons.
−10.5 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 11% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)
Closest comparable run: Bob Diaco’s UConn run (2014–2016)
1st-best Eastern Michigan tenure of 7 by the numbers.
Followed Ed Chlebek (1976–1977) · succeeded by Bob LaPointe (1982).
1 NFL Draft pick: Ken Miller (1981)
−10.5
6-38-1
1975
George Mans Short tenure
4-6