"We had to come back against Heidelberg on Homecoming (19-19 tie) to go undefeated in '67. Saturday's game was Ashland's 31 st of the season, tying the program record set in 1990-91 and matched in 2015-16. PPOC Coach in Taipei, Taipei City, Taiwan | Business Services & Support "It's a tribute, number one, to Ashland University," Owens said. He was an all-around athlete growing up by playing every sport . Also, the personal relationship with coach Martinelli and his wife Ruth was and is something very special to me. Dominant: No. 6 Ashland University has stifling defense to complement ASHLAND The Doug Geiser era is officially underway at Ashland University. It's what have you done for me recently. Ashland University Names New Head Football Coach In Doug Geiser A 1992 graduate of Cornell, Geiser is married to wife Amy, and they are the parents of twin girls, Abigail and Rebecca. In the 2022-2023 season, Owens won GMAC Coach of the Year, linebacker Michael Ayers won GMAC Player of the Year, and freshman center Ethan Enders won Freshman of the Year. "Throughout the search process, we talked about integrity, commitment and work ethic. AU Volleyball Adds Three In 2023 Freshman Class - Ashland University The entire AU coaching staff is expected to be back in the fold for the upcoming season, and a new coach will be hired to fill Geiser's former position. Todd Stepsis - Wikipedia Being together at AU for five seasons has certainly helped that connection. "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. Following five seasons as a high school assistant at three . It's quite a feat for Ashland University to have two members in the Hall, when, according to the Hall itself, only 0.02% of college football's players and coaches have been enshrined. . Ashland University Football Scholarships Guide - NCSASports.org Avni Shah: Hey, Little League dads, make room for more female coaches [5] He and his wife, Angie, have two daughters, Addison and Avery. As for the coaching staff moving into the 2023, Geiser said the changes will be minimal. Ashland University football player Garrett Turnbaugh would likely trade his current pass-catching streak for a win over Hillsdale. It's something, as we start into the next 100 years of football here, that would be a goal, is to not only get into the postseason, but advance into regionals and semifinals and national championship game. You can't do that at Division I anymore. Turnbaugh has 30 receptions for 504 yards and three scores playing opposite Logan Bolin, Ashlands leading receiver with 39 catches, 553 yards and five touchdowns. In all, Keller spent 23 seasons on the Ashland coaching staff. The National Football League standard-bearer for head-coaching stability is the Pittsburgh Steelers, with three since 1969 and Ashland has them beat by a decade. Turnbaughs AU career started in 2018 when he played in nine games as a true freshman, catching 16 passes for 178 yards. He's committed to giving our student-athletes a quality experience. "To go undefeated is something different," he said. Attend an Event. One of the top coaches in Division II has stepped down Ashland University football coach Lee Owens announced Friday his retirement after leading the Eagles for the past 19 seasons. Geiser replaces Lee Owens, who announced his retirement in December after 18 seasons. "That's awesome we were able to get those kinds of things done at AU. I'm both honored and humbled to have been chosen for this position.". Ashland traces its past 60-plus seasons through just four head coaches. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. 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. Now, with the potential for at least two more games in his AU career, Turnbaugh has the opportunity to finish with his best season as an Eagles receiver. The Mansfield native first made a name for himself in Ashland County when he led Weller Crestview to an unbeaten season in 1981. On Saturday (March 4) in Florida, Ashland University's baseball team improved to 4-1 after a 5-2 win over Gannon. He said I'm going to live up to that promise and that commitment, which was a really big deal when that happened. Keller's defenses led NCAA Division II in total defense in both 1991 and 1992, and rushing defense in 1992. He is the only football coach in school history to direct more than one team to the NCAA playoffs (2007, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2022). This game was different. Keller was one of only three defensive coordinators Martinelli had at Ashland, along with two other Ashland Hall of Famers,Bob StokesandJohn Valentine. Doug exemplifies all of those attributes. 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. The sports at Ashland are led by 21 head coaches, 10 of whom coach male teams, 10 of whom spearhead women's teams, and 1 of whom leads a coed team. It just so happens weve been able to get some plays together, connect deep and stack up some yards., This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland University senior Garrett Turnbaugh having best season, Ashland University senior Garrett Turnbaugh having best season. I have a special thing for that team.". "The tradition of Ashland football is very strong," said Geiser. He snagged eight catches for 103 yards and a 31-yard touchdown in a 14-7 win over Ohio Dominican, and then had five catches for 115 yards in a 28-20 victory over Tiffin as AU improved to 7-0 overall. Geiser is taking over an AU team that went 10-2 overall in 2022, with its 7-1 mark capturing the Great Midwest Athletic Conference title. 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. "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. . The only way to celebrate a loss is to know you really are not losing anything.. Like Brenner, Owens said the reason you coach has everything to do with the players you work with. YEAR:19th in 2022-23 (first as head coach in 2023)
Personal life [ edit] A Shelby, Ohio native, Stepsis was a member of the football team and graduated from Ashland University. "They have achieved at a high level in the past, and, out of respect for their efforts and with a sense of loyalty, I would love for them to be a part of our program moving forward. It adds consistency and teaching and relationships, Geiser said. ', "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. I looked at the position that he held at that time. afficher des publicits et des contenus personnaliss en fonction de vos profils de centres dintrt; mesurer lefficacit des publicits et contenus personnaliss; et. 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. "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.". Junior Puyallup, Wash. FSP 7-on-7 / San Mateo . He was a high school assistant coach at Triway (1990), Liberty Benton High School (1991) and at Lyndhurst Brush High School (1992-94). In all, Owens guided his teams to four conference titles and six playoff berths, and his 137 victories are more than any Ashland coach except Hall of Famer Fred Martinelli. Complete Release (PDF). Some of Turnbaughs recent uptick in production has been by design in AUs offensive play-calling. TOM E. PUSKAR/ASHLAND . The times are going to change. 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. Ashland University football coaching legend Fred Martinelli dies Hes been getting open. 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. All Rights Reserved, Dusty Sloan, Ashland University Director of Athletic Communications, Six Home Games, IUP Rematch Highlight 2023 Eagle Football Regular-Season Slate, Ashland Football Announces 2023 Signing Day Class, Ayers Starts NFL Draft Quest At 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, Ayers To Begin Draft Process At 2023 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, Posey Makes History In Earning Third Academic All-America Honor, Linebackers coach/freshman defensive coordinator, Offensive line coach/defensive coordinator, Offensive coordinator/offensive line coach/head junior varsity coach, Graduate assistant (1995-96)/tight ends coach/video coordinator (1997-2003), Associate head coach (2007-22)/offensive line coach/run game coordinator/pro liaison/interim head coach. His nine years at the helm saw the Zips post a 40-61 record (7-2 against rival Kent State) with three winning seasons, but they failed to win or even play for a Mid-American Conference championship. "I'm excited to introduce Doug as our head football coach," King said. It was the first time I was really humbled in my coaching career because I was able to be recruited from every other school I'd been at to go to the next job," Owens said. "There have been some wins like that that you look back on. Register for more free articles. See Our Rec Center. - Keller (10 seasons, 1994-2003) served as Martinelli's defensive coordinator, then took the 1997 Eagles to the NCAA D-II playoffs in exciting fashion four of their last five wins were by eight points or less, including a 27-20 Homecoming victory over Saginaw Valley State. Following five seasons as a high school assistant at three stops, Geiser joined the University of Akron coaching staff under Owens first as a graduate assistant in 1995-96, then as tight ends coach and video coordinator from 1997-2003. Fresh off his ouster in Summit County, Ashland brought Owens in to resurrect a program that had fallen into mediocrity, and it didn't take long for him to do just that. They also taught us AU football is won with fundamentals blocking, tackling. "What we've always tried to do is live up to that reputation and that tradition, and the success that they had before us.". I'm looking back, and I'm thinking that I really didn't do justice to the program, when I've got that many responsibilities.". 1/12/2016 ASHLAND, Ohio - AU head football coach Lee Owens is entering his 13thseason leading the Eagles in 2016, but he is adding another title to the top of his resume this year, as well. Its a great place to start, and gives me a lot of peace of mind at night knowing I can trust those men., Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. College Football Hall of Famer Dr. Fred Martinelli led the program from 1959-93. Hes playing with some energy, hes consistently catching the ball and getting yards after the catch. "It's a tribute, number one, to Ashland University," Owens said. Two of the philosophies which have carried over from Martinelli to Keller to Owens, despite the changes in the sport in more than a half-century, are have great defenses and run the football well. ", Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Unfortunately for him, the National Championship would not be obtained, but countless wins and memories were. "That has to be as big a win as we've ever had. Owens was elected to the AFCA Board of Trustees in 2007. . Doug's vision aligns with the goals and objectives of the department and the university. "This is a dream job because Ashland is a very special place. The Cavaliers came in as the conference's regular-season champion, and tournament number one seed, but the Pioneers ran away from Walsh in the second half for an . Doug exemplifies all of those attributes. As for the coaching staff moving into the 2023, Geiser said the changes will be minimal. 401 College Ave. Ashland, OH 44805 He worked his way up from graduate assistant to tight ends coach before following his mentor to Ashland, spending his entire tenure as offensive line coach while also adding the associate head coach title in 2007. He'll represent Ashland University with class and poise." Come visit Ashland University, located between Cleveland and Columbus, and experience it for yourself! We probably, offensively, have taken it to a more modern era with the way we've thrown the ball, the balance we've had, but you still have to run the ball and play defense, and that hasn't changed.".