Junior Puyallup, Wash. FSP 7-on-7 / San Mateo . "We've all been a part of championship teams," Owens 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. Hes been making some great plays, Brenner said. "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. We think every single thing we do matters; thats what we believe at Ashland. 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 accomplished staff helped us to win a conference championship and qualify for the NCAA playoffs in 2022. "Our goal is to build upon that legacy and to take Eagle football to heights it's never before seen, on and off the field," Geiser declared. 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. "I remember going to the banquet where he presided," said Owens, "and you think about that and the impression that it made. One of those coaches that stood out was Defensive Coordinator Tim Rose. "Thank goodness, Bill Goldring literally recruited me, sold me, and convinced me this was a good place. He begat Gary Keller, who coached the team . 1/3/2023 12:30:00 PM Owens is 89-42 (.679) at Ashland, with a pair of GLIAC titles and three GLIAC Coach of the Year honors to his credit. Hell outwork anyone on the field and he loves the game.. Joining the volleyball program are Fairfield outside hitter Henlie Krause, Tri-Valley outside hitter Lexi Howe and Olmsted Falls outside hitter/setter Kylee Urban. In the 1960s, Elvis Presley sang "Home Is Where The Heart Is." That sentiment always was been evident with Doug Geiser when it comes to Ashland University and its football program. Some has been a matter of him creating separation from opposing defensive backs. - 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. Geiser officially takes over forLee Owens, who announced his retirement on Dec. 2 following a 19-year tenure leading the Ashland football program. "Our goal is to build upon that legacy and to take Eagle football to heights it's never before seen, on and off the field." We all want to stick around here. The reality is more and more schools have abandoned this idea that we're shaping the next generation of leaders. He graduated from Triway High School in 1990. 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. . Mount Union advances to Sweet 16 of NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament, Outdoor Classic at FirstEnergy Stadium ends with Cleveland Monsters victory in overtime, FORECAST | Conditions more subdued Sunday, sun peeks, Flood Warning issued for parts of several Northeast Ohio counties, What caused Damar Hamlin's cardiac arrest? "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. A 1992 graduate of Cornell, Geiser is married to wife Amy, and they are the parents of twin girls, Abigail and Rebecca. 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Keller's defenses led NCAA Division II in total defense in both 1991 and 1992, and rushing defense in 1992. I could go on and on about what Lee [Owens] has accomplished, said Athletic Director Al King. "We collected equipment, the kids went home for Thanksgiving, on Sunday afternoon I was in Columbus and came home, and the phone rang, and Dennis Pope from the NCAA called and said, 'Fred, you've been selected. Its not easy for someone to do, and he stayed the course.. This position requires the ability to help recruit potential student-athletes. His third straight game of at least 100 yards receiving came Oct. 29 when he grabbed six passes for 126 yards and a TD in a 36-20 loss to Hillsdale. 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. After the 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Turnbaugh was the teams leading receiver in 2021 with 36 catches for 520 yards and four TDs in 10 starts. "One, where Doyt Perry, who was the Athletic Director at Bowling Green, interviewed me, asked me if he offered the job to me … what would keep me from taking a job at Bowling Green? Martinelli's 1967 (8-0-1) and 1972 (11-0) teams finished their schedules without a loss. It's what have you done for me recently. I have a special thing for that team.". 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. YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) Eastern Michigan University Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee announced the hiring of Kevin Foeman as head coach of the volleyball program today, March 2. I'm both honored and humbled to have been chosen for this position.". That sentiment always was been evident withDoug Geiserwhen it comes to Ashland University and its football program. "There have been some wins like that that you look back on. Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to . News Radio 98.3FM & 1400AM, WMAN - Mansfield's News, Weather and Sports Station, WMAN High School Basketball Game of the Week, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. And at the time, I told him my daughter had leukemia, and I was uncertain of making the move. "College level" is defined as a four-year college or university program in either the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) or the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). It was nice last year to get back on track and just playing with a lot of great players and a lot of great coaches has evolved my game over time.. Were targeting him more by design, AU coach Lee Owens said. Owens finishes his 19-year career with a 137-61 record. The Ashland University football team's climb to a No. 12-ranked Eagles moved on to the second round of the postseason on Nov. 26 at Indiana, Pa., losing 19-13 to No. Geiser replaces Lee Owens, who announced his retirement in December after 18 seasons. Lee Owens (born July 17, 1956) is a former American football coach. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. "I don't think my feet have touched the ground since I received the call from Al," said Geiser. The Eagles were a perfect 6-0 at Jack Miller Stadium/Martinelli Field. He led the Eagles in all three receiving categories, and was named to the all-G-MAC second team. "In retrospect, I probably did too much. 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. He has 23 catches for 406 yards and three touchdowns in that span. 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. "They played undue circumstances. "That's awesome we were able to get those kinds of things done at AU. 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. This was Ashland University's highest ranking since becoming an NCAA Division II institution. 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. When you lose someone like Owens, you need time to process that. This is the Ashland University (Ohio) Football scholarship and program information page. 1 defense in Division II and were one of few that were left undefeated up until Week Nine where they fell to the Hillsdale Chargers on the road. Raymond John Novotny Sr. was an American football player and coach. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Keller was one of only three defensive coordinators Martinelli had at Ashland, along with two other Ashland Hall of Famers,Bob StokesandJohn Valentine. 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. If you can't make it yet, take our virtual campus tour to get a quick look at the university. Owens four best seasons, which occurred with one-to-two losses, resulted in those four conference titles. Ashland head coach John Ellenwood now has 243 wins guiding the Eagles, three away from tying Roger Lyons (246) for most in program history. Finishing with a win this year would be tough. We played the best teams in a five- or six-state area. But Owens, who will begin his 19th season at AU this fall, said things are a bit different . "To go undefeated is something different," he said. Between 1981 and 1991, he was the head football coach at four high schools in Ohio and then an assistant coach at Ohio . Football 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. "I'm excited to introduce Doug as our head football coach," King said. Skip to main content Skip to main content. All Rights Reserved, 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. Our season had ended, [and]it didn't look likely that we would be selected," Martinelli said of the team which went 9-1 in the regular season. Some of Turnbaughs recent uptick in production has been by design in AUs offensive play-calling. Unfortunately for him, the National Championship would not be obtained, but countless wins and memories were. Much of why the position is so desirable is because of Owens, who now closes the book on a career that spanned more than four decades. 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. One of those individuals who defied the odds under Owens was Eagle quarterback Austin Brenner. Like Brenner, Owens said the reason you coach has everything to do with the players you work with. 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.". 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. Saccomen has coached under all three, while Valentine played for Martinelli and coached for Keller and Owens. 3 in the AFCA Division II Top 25 poll. Tim Seder is now a head football coach in Texas. Other major personnel are: Things have been starting to click, he said. Royce is part of the 2016 College Football Hall of Fame class, along with 13 other players and two coaches, as announced on Friday (Jan. 8) afternoon. [4] He majored in special education, and also got a master's degree in sports education in 1999. [6] He is also father to a son, Zander, and daughter, Zoe. Amazingly, it all slipped away. He thinks about the program first instead of himself, said President of AU Carlos Campo. As a player, Scott played with grit and determination, and his coaching was no different. This is a man who has set an example for others and cares about this place. This past season he led our defense to Top 10 in the nation at one point, said Owens. Wash. FSP 7-on-7 / San Mateo Community College. The fact that I was at Ashland University and in the GLIAC was a big consideration when the coaches voted. "It is the people that make programs special," said Keller. "The tradition of Ashland football is very strong," said Geiser. 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. Hes been getting open. He also had a number of other outstanding seasons at the helm of the Eagles. WICHITA, Kan. - Southern Oregon sophomore Evan Potter kept his title hopes alive and clinched All-America status for the second year in a row by advancing to the semifinals Friday on Day 1 of the NAIA Men's Wrestling Championships inside Hartman Arena. Ashland University football player Garrett Turnbaugh would likely trade his current pass-catching streak for a win over Hillsdale. 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. Tributes for Owens have since poured in, with Cooper calling him "a good football coach, a very good recruiter and an even better person." "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. "There's only two Division II head coaches on the board, and there's a bunch of Division II schools. Overview.