The search for Eastern Michigan's new Head Coach has come to a close as Athletic Director Heather Lyke announced yesterday that former Drake University (Div III) head football coach Chris Creighton would be taking over the program. Creighton, at 44 years old has 17 years of coaching experience with an overall head coaching record of 139-46 (a winning percentage of .764). Creighton comes into an EMU program caught in a whirlwind of issues. EMU is coming off of a 2-10 season, has had issues with campus safety and is struggling to meet Division 1 attendance requirements. Creighton has a tough road ahead of him but Athletic Director Heather Lyke believes he is the answer this team has been waiting for.
"In Chris, Eastern Michigan will find an extraordinary leader who will be a great ambassador for our University. During the search process, Chris' focus on positively impacting the lives of our student-athletes and building a championship program was most impressive. As a proven winner and head coach, Chris' experience with creating and sustaining success will inspire our student-athletes to elevate our football program to a championship level."
Really Heather, we love your enthusiasm, but let's concentrate on winning 4-5 games for now. Creighton, who helped Drake become a perennial Pioneer Conference Championship contender comes to EMU as an experienced offensive play-caller.
"In Chris, Eastern Michigan will find an extraordinary leader who will be a great ambassador for our University. During the search process, Chris' focus on positively impacting the lives of our student-athletes and building a championship program was most impressive. As a proven winner and head coach, Chris' experience with creating and sustaining success will inspire our student-athletes to elevate our football program to a championship level."
Really Heather, we love your enthusiasm, but let's concentrate on winning 4-5 games for now. Creighton, who helped Drake become a perennial Pioneer Conference Championship contender comes to EMU as an experienced offensive play-caller.
So one major question for this team has been answered. Realistically, Creighton wasn't on anyone's radar but after doing a little research, I rather like the decision to bring him on board. He's young and energetic and brings a pass-first offense to the team, something EMU hasn't seen since Matt Bohnet threw for over 2,800 yards in 2004. The hiring of Creighton though, still leaves the team with a bunch of questions. Will Creighton call the majority of the plays? What role does Stan Parrish play on this staff? Who will Creighton bring in as the defensive coordinator? These questions will be answered in time. The only really important question to ask at this point in time is...drum roll please...
Can Chris Creighton recruit?
English may not have been the best coach on the field, but he was a proven recruiter and pulled in some of the best recruiting classes in EMU's history along with the only 4-star recruit in program history (Brogan Roback). Creighton's recruiting skills are rather dubious which is the one of the big fears of hiring a non FBS head coach. EMU has had a slow start with this year's recruiting class only receiving 4 commitments to date with only 1 of them being ranked by 247 Sports. EMU has also lost the face of of its 2014 class with the de-commitment of 3-star LB Gary Hosey (Cass-Tech, MI) last month. Fortunately for Creighton, English has left him with loads of young talent so the recruiting may not be a life or death issue quite yet.
Creighton's Introductory Press Conference will take place today at 3:00 pm and can be streamed live at EMUEagles.com
Can Chris Creighton recruit?
English may not have been the best coach on the field, but he was a proven recruiter and pulled in some of the best recruiting classes in EMU's history along with the only 4-star recruit in program history (Brogan Roback). Creighton's recruiting skills are rather dubious which is the one of the big fears of hiring a non FBS head coach. EMU has had a slow start with this year's recruiting class only receiving 4 commitments to date with only 1 of them being ranked by 247 Sports. EMU has also lost the face of of its 2014 class with the de-commitment of 3-star LB Gary Hosey (Cass-Tech, MI) last month. Fortunately for Creighton, English has left him with loads of young talent so the recruiting may not be a life or death issue quite yet.
Creighton's Introductory Press Conference will take place today at 3:00 pm and can be streamed live at EMUEagles.com
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