I'm fortunate, the way my career has gone.". Skip to main content Skip to main content. When Martinelli retired, it was a natural fit for Keller to take over the program. And it's unfortunate. Coach has helped shape my life and many other kids, coaches, supporters and fans alike that have come through the program over the years, said Cundiff. The only former Eagle head coach to have more wins in their career is Fred Martinelli who went 217-119-12 in his career. ", Said Martinelli, "Gary was a great coach. Hes committed to giving our student-athletes a quality experience, King said. Mount Union advances to Sweet 16 of NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament; Case Western Reserve, John Carroll eliminated, Mount Union advances to Sweet 16 of NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament, Moving on! The fact that I was at Ashland University and in the GLIAC was a big consideration when the coaches voted. . Unfortunately for him, the National Championship would not be obtained, but countless wins and memories were. An Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Institution. If you can't make it yet, take our virtual campus tour to get a quick look at the university. For Geiser, being named Eagles head coach continues a football coaching ascent that began at his alma mater, Triway High School in nearby Wooster, Ohio, in 1990. Personal life [ edit] A Shelby, Ohio native, Stepsis was a member of the football team and graduated from Ashland University. At the conclusion of the season, Owens was named the AFCA Division II Region 3 Coach of the Year and the GLIAC Coach of the Year. His career as an Ashland University head coach finished with a record of 137-61 with three Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles and one GMAC title. "I remember going to the banquet where he presided," said Owens, "and you think about that and the impression that it made. I could go on and on about what Lee [Owens] has accomplished, said Athletic Director Al King. We never practiced on a lined field until we got to North Dakota State. "What a great advantage it is to have them continue as a part of Eagle football. The Ashland University football team's climb to a No. That's first and foremost. "We had to come back against Heidelberg on Homecoming (19-19 tie) to go undefeated in '67. Owens is 89-42 (.679) at Ashland, with a pair of GLIAC titles and three GLIAC Coach of the Year honors to his credit. Owens moved on to the college game as an assistant at Ohio State under John Cooper before being hired as Akron's head coach in 1995. "There were two instances," he said. His birthdate is June 4, 1968. But he'll have to settle instead for helping the Eagles to a victory in their final regular-season game at 1 p.m. Saturday against Kentucky Wesleyan and then a potential regional postseason playoff berth. Looking ahead to the 2023 season, Geiser said not much is going to change with the expectations of the players and team. Another Eagle quarterback, AU alumnus Bill Cundiff had high praise for Owens. Business Services & Support at Roche "There's no question, Ashland's had a reputation for great defense," said Owens. "I wish growth and success to the program as the next 100 years kick off. [6] He is also father to a son, Zander, and daughter, Zoe. afficher des publicits et des contenus personnaliss en fonction de vos profils de centres dintrt; mesurer lefficacit des publicits et contenus personnaliss; et. A Division II state championship at Galion followed four years later before a season at Lancaster led to the head job at prestigious Massillon Washington, where he won 35 games from 1988-91 and finished 3-1 against archrival Canton McKinley. Raymond John Novotny Sr. was an American football player and coach. He had just been let go by the University of Akron. They preached that 'being an Eagle' was about the pursuit of excellence in all areas of your life on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. AU athletics sees strong fall season in Learfield Directors Cup, Eagle basketball on the road in the 2022-2023 season, AU Call of Duty eSports team wins league championship, What is STUNT? For Geiser, being named Eagles head coach continues a football coaching ascent that began at his alma mater, Triway High School in nearby Wooster, Ohio, in 1990. dvelopper et amliorer nos produits et services. That's ultimately where I see the program headed next.". "Personally, just to have the opportunity to serve a profession that has meant so much to me for so many years, it's important.". He thinks about the program first instead of himself, said President of AU Carlos Campo. Our vision, my vision is to build upon the foundation laid by the (George) Donges, the (Robert) Brownsons, the (Fred) Martinellis, the (Gary) Kellers, the (Lee) Owens, and take football to heights never foreseen here. Visit a Dining Hall. "In retrospect, I probably did too much. Im extremely lucky in that case. Attend an Event. "Throughout the search process, we talked about integrity, commitment and work ethic. We could provide a good argument for Bill Royce because of the great schedule we played, and the great coaches [we played]. Finishing with a win this year would be tough. On Tuesday(Jan. 12) afternoon, Owens was introduced as the president of the American Football Coaches Association for 2016, moving up from second vice-president of the AFCA. Petzing and head coach Kevin Stefanski both coached for the Minnesota Vikings before being . "I would say that the coaches that have been a part of Ashland's proud past had a great love for not only the football program, but the types of young men that we had the opportunity to work with on a daily basis. Coach O as the head coach was obviously incredibly important to my journey here at AU, said Brenner. All three head coaches have had the privilege of working with two current Eagle assistants John SaccomenandScott Valentine at various stages in their football lives. Ashland University Coaches. This place has been a great place for me, said Owens. Amazingly, it all slipped away. His 71 sacks came against people who were very prominent, and teams that were very prominent.". The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Looking back, I really wasn't prepared [to leave]. He succeeds Lee Owens, who announced his retirement on Dec. 2 following a 19-year tenure as Eagles coach. He's committed to giving our student-athletes a quality experience. "The tradition of Ashland football is very strong," said Geiser. Things have been starting to click, he said. "I was a benefactor and, more importantly, the players, so folks out there were the generous big hearts, with the opportunity to step forward to be able to build facilities to have a top program so our players could win championships, and compete at the highest level. Other major personnel are: Also that season, AU won its first NCAA Division II playoff game at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field at the Dwight Schar Athletic Complex with a 21-18 victory over Northwest Missouri State, the two-time defending national champions, and were 10th in the final American Football Coaches Association poll. "We'll obviously have to add a coach to fill my position, but the staff will stay intact for the most part," he said. This accomplished staff helped us to win a conference championship and qualify for the NCAA playoffs in 2022. Its all kind of surreal at this point. Were targeting him more by design, AU coach Lee Owens said. "John Saccomenwas a part of my coaching staff for 22 years, and now I believe he is closing in on 40 years of coaching at Ashland. Hell represent Ashland University with class and poise.. Some has been a matter of him creating separation from opposing defensive backs. And, as announced by AU Director of AthleticsAl Kingon Tuesday (Jan. 3) afternoon, Geiser will stay home and become the program's 15thhead coach. NORTH CANTON The Malone Pioneers had an NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Tournament berth in their grasp with just over six minutes left. - Offensive linemen who have earned seven All-Great Midwest and 30 All-GLIAC honors. "That's awesome we were able to get those kinds of things done at AU. Doug's vision aligns with the goals and objectives of the department and the university. Si vous souhaitez personnaliser vos choix, cliquez sur Grer les paramtres de confidentialit. This position will direct and oversee the entire football program, which includes recruiting, retention, training, game preparation, practice and in-game coaching, direction and recruitment of assistant coaches, budget management and oversight and fundraising. Martinelli's 1967 (8-0-1) and 1972 (11-0) teams finished their schedules without a loss. For Geiser, being named Eagles head coach continues a football coaching ascent that began at his alma mater, Triway High School in nearby Wooster, Ohio, in 1990. 3 in the AFCA Division II Top 25 poll. While speculation occurred for months leading up to this moment, individuals inside the organization attempted to keep the news a secret, but with such a big program to keep quiet, the secret found its way to the outside. In addition to the team success, some of the notable accomplishments for Geiser's pupils in his time at AU include: - Seven All-American offensive linemen -Blake Dickson,Vince Cashdollar,Reggie Gamble,Justin Magruder,Zachary Douglass,Dominic GiuntaandJohn Conner. Ashland University's head coach Lee Owens is seen on the sideline against Notre Dame College during college football action at Jack Miller Stadium, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. "We've been able to do a lot here. The Ashland University campus, community and football team are set to say goodbye to their head coach, Lee Owens, after serving the program as their head coach since 2004. . Ashland-Collegianreporter Brayden Creveling had the opportunity to sit down with Owens earlier in the season where he expressed underlying thoughts of a potential retirement. Prior to Ashland, Geiser was at the University of Akron from 1995-2003 as a graduate assistant (1995-96), and tight ends coach/video coordinator (1997-2003). Dougs vision aligns with the goals and objectives of the department and the university. I dont think my feet have touched the ground since about 9:30 Friday morning when I got the call from Al (King, AU Director of Athletics), Geiser said. Men's Basketball Roster Coaches Schedule Statistics News 2022-23 Game Notes John Ellenwood press conference Record Book Through 6-28-22 212 Club Camps Recruitment Form Men's Basketball 3/2/2023 2:35:00 PM Dusty Sloan, Ashland University Director of Athletic Communications 7 seed at 133 pounds, was the only one of five Raider qualifiers to get through to Day 2 of the tournament. A program which began in 1920, Ashland football has won 520 games all-time, and boasts three undefeated seasons, two other undefeated regular seasons, eight NCAA Division II postseason appearances, three D-II postseason wins, 17 conference championships, two College Football Hall of Famers, 19 first-team All-Americans, 22 Academic All-Americans, and three members of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team. The century mark of Ashland football and their place within it is special for the men who have made up more than 60% of the head-coaching tenure in the program. "Doug exemplifies all of those attributes. Geiser follows in the line of the previous three Eagle head coaches, who combined spanned more than six decades College Football Hall of FamerDr. Fred Martinelli(1959-93), Ashland University Hall of FamerGary Keller(1994-2003), and Owens. What more needs to be said for John's commitment and insights to the game? This game was different. He said I'm going to live up to that promise and that commitment, which was a really big deal when that happened. As far as what were going to ask from those players, and the thing I challenged them about when Lee stepped down and I was in the interim position, if you want to do something thats never been done here or go beyond, youre preparation this offseason has to be at a level beyond, he said. Ashland continues to have a rich tradition as a private, comprehensive institution preparing students for exciting professions . Staff Directory Members By Category/Department; Name Title Phone Email Address Twitter; Rudy Carlton: Head Coach (626) 815-6000, Ext. He served as the head football coach at the University of Akron from 1995 to 2003 and Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio from 2004 to 2022, compiled a career college football coaching record of 177-122. If we win the national championship this year, were going to have a big parade right down Claremont and keep on going and never stop, Owens said. Someone stood up at the end and said, coach congratulations and thank you we love you. Then other fans stood and applauded me.. Dec 3, 2022. Doug exemplifies all of those attributes. Dusty Sloan, Ashland University Director of Athletic Communications. He was an assistant coach at Ohio State when head coach John Cooper served in the same capacity in 1992, and Cooper is in San Antonio, Texas, at the AFCA Convention to receive the 2016 Amos Alonzo Stagg Award at a luncheon Owens will emcee. "They played undue circumstances. I'm both honored and humbled to have been chosen for this position.". This information is very valuable for all high school student-athletes to understand as they start the recruiting process. Its a combination of all of those things. Turnbaughs AU career started in 2018 when he played in nine games as a true freshman, catching 16 passes for 178 yards. "I feel honored to be a part of the great tradition that has existed at Ashland for that amount of time," Keller said. The No. ', "Everything that had to happen, and there were three or four of them … we had to scramble and call our kids back and practice at Luray Lanes all week. The Ashland University campus, community and football team are set to say goodbye to their head coach, Lee Owens, after serving the program as their head coach since 2004. Regardless of how much success you have, you feel like you're always going to be in the shadows of a coach with that kind of recognition. "This is a dream job because Ashland is a very special place," Geiser said. But I really think it was that particular evening with coach Cooper that the seed was planted. Geiser follows in the line of the previous three Eagle head coaches, who combined spanned more than six decades - College Football Hall of Famer Dr. Fred Martinelli (1959-93), Ashland University Hall of Famer Gary Keller (1994-2003), and Owens. The position will assist the head coach in developing the overall recruiting plan and in reaching the university's target roster goal for women's soccer . We dont think thats a small thing. "In 45 years, I have been blessed," Owens, 66, said when he decided to call it quits. Owens has spent all of his football coaching life in Ohio, and having grown up nearby at Mansfield Madison High School, and having coached nearby at Crestview and Galion High Schools, he was well acquainted with the Eagles prior to coming here. Meyer, Texas Christian University, 1997 Don Nehlen, West Virginia University, 1950 Lynn O. Waldorf, University of California, 1998 Roy Kidd, Eastern Kentucky University, 1952 Carl G. Snavely, University of North Carolina, 1954 George A. Munger, University of Pennsylvania, 2003 Phil Fulmer, University of Tennessee, 1958 Charles B. Wilkinson, University of Oklahoma, 2006 Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Missouri State University, 1959 Wallace Butts, University of Georgia, 1960 Charles A. Engle, Pennsylvania State University, 2008 Tyrone Willingham, University of Washington, 1961 Jack C. Curtice, Stanford University, 2009 Dick Tomey, San Jose State University, 2010 Larry Kehres, University of Mount Union, 1965 Abe Martin, Texas Christian University, 1967 Ben Schwartzwalder, Syracuse University, 1968 Murray Warmath, University of Minnesota, AU Football Coach Lee Owens Named AFCA President. Were not like every other school, and what we talk about are values they really do matter, he said. Ashland University's head coach Lee Owens on the sideline against Notre Dame College during their NCAA Division II college football playoff game at Jack Miler Stadium Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. College Football Hall of Famer Dr. Fred Martinelli led the program from 1959-93. This past season he led our defense to Top 10 in the nation at one point, said Owens. The Ashland University football team held its annual national signing day on Wednesday, and veteran coach Lee Owens was elated over his new list of recruits. 15 Indiana, Pa., at Frank Cignetti Field at George P. Miller Stadium. Geiser had been the program's interim head coach for the last month, and had been on Owens' staff every year since both came to campus prior to the 2004 season. - Owens (17 seasons, 2004-current) is 122-54 (.693) leading the Eagles, and boasts two undefeated regular seasons (2012 and 2015), five NCAA Division II postseason berths, two NCAA postseason victories, three Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles, three American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) region Coach of the Year honors and four GLIAC Coach of the Year citations. Turnbaugh, a 6-1, 215-pound senior from Barberton, has been playing his best football as an Eagle lately, achieving three consecutive 100-yard receiving games before catching four passes for 62 yards and a touchdown Saturday in a 31-23 win over Lake Erie. - Twelve 1,000-yard rushing seasons, the program's all-time rushing yards record has been broken, the program record for rushing yards in a season has been broken three times, the program mark for rushing yards by a freshman was beaten twice, and the AU mark for single-game rushing yards has been eclipsed twice. I think just something hes always had is the way he competes. This is a list of college football coaches with 200 career wins. "We intend to build upon the legacy of those great men who have led the program in the past, men such asGeorge Donges,Bob Brownson, Hall of FamerDr. Fred Martinelli,Gary Keller, and future Hall of FamerLee Owens. "I'll be forever grateful for Bill doing that because I don't know what would have happened or where i would have gone but this was the perfect fit and the right place to be, I know that will all my heart now.". . This position requires the ability to help recruit potential student-athletes. He also had a number of other outstanding seasons at the helm of the Eagles. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND . Ashland Universitys newest sport, Eagle womens basketball ranked No. 1/3/2023 12:30:00 PM "You look what we've been able to do with that facility, Jack Miller was the same guy who led the actual charge over the stadium and the indoor facility, and those are the ones who really turned things," Owens said. I'm both honored and humbled to have been chosen for this position."