English continues to make an impact, entering his third season as a safeties coach for the Gators.
Understanding the tradition of DBU, Ron English helped restore that standard in his first season as safeties coach for Florida in 2018.
With that said, UF led the nation in fourth quarter opponent passing efficiency (66.25) and were second nationally in fourth quarter opponent completion percentage (40.5).
English has over 20 years of experience at the FBS level, including stints as defensive coordinator at Michigan (2006-07), Louisville (2008) and San Jose State (2016). He came to the Swamp from Mississippi State (2017) and is now in his second season with Florida. A two-time Broyles Award nominee and the 2006 National Defensive Coordinator of the Year, English has appeared in 11 bowl games, including three Rose Bowls.
English spent five seasons as head coach at Eastern Michigan from 2009-13. In the last 30 years, he is one of only two EMU football coaches to be named a Mid-American Conference (MAC) Coach of the Year when he captured the honor in 2011. That squad finished with a 6-6 win-loss record, the most wins by the Eagles since 1995.
English began his collegiate coaching career as the defensive backs coach at Mt. San Antonio College (1993) in Walnut, Calif., after coaching for one season at Ganesha High School (1992), his alma mater, in Pomona, Calif.
English also tutored the secondary for two seasons at San Diego State (1996-97) and served as the outside linebackers coach at Northern Arizona for the 1996 spring practice.
He then went on to spend five seasons (1998-2002) as an assistant football coach at Arizona State. He coached the secondary all five years with the Sun Devils, the final two years with the cornerbacks and the previous three seasons mentoring the safeties. He helped ASU to three bowl appearances: the 1999 and 2000 Aloha and 2002 Holiday bowls. His first stint at ASU was as a graduate assistant coach handling the defensive line during the 1994-95 seasons.
English was a four-year letterman (1987-90) and senior starter at safety for the California Golden Bears football squad.
Florida (2018-Present)
In 2019, English played a significant role in helping guide a ball-hawking secondary that generated takeaways, as Florida finished tied for ninth in the FBS with 16 interceptions. UF and Florida Atlantic were the only FBS teams featuring four players (Shawn Davis, Kaiir Elam, Donovan Stiner, Marco Wilson) with at least three interceptions this year.
Under English’s guidance, safety Donovan Stiner led UF with four interceptions – which was tied for second in the SEC – as he entered the 2019 season with only two picks in 24 career games. Kaiir Elam was one of seven FBS true freshmen with at least three interceptions this season. The only two true freshmen from the SEC with three picks were Elam and LSU’s Derek Stingley Jr.
Florida’s 23 takeaways were tied for 20th nationally this season. And the Gators’ 49 takeaways since the start of last year are tied for 6th among all FBS teams. This was also the first time since 2014 and 2015 UF finished consecutive seasons with a turnover margin of plus-5 or better.
The Gators forced four turnovers in three games this year (Kentucky, Tennessee, Auburn). The last time they forced four-plus turnovers in at least three games within a season was 2014 (four games).
Florida finished seventh nationally in scoring defense (15.5 points), while UF was also third in the FBS in opponent red zone touchdown percentage (40 percent / 14 TDs in 35 trips).
In 2018, Florida’s defense--in spite of a multiple injuries in the secondary and being without 2017 Coaches SEC All-Freshman Team cornerback Marco Wilson from Week 2 on--made huge improvements in 2018 compared to the prior season:
|
2017 Stats |
FBS Rank |
2018 Stats |
FBS Rank |
Change |
| Fumble Recoveries |
3 |
T-125th |
12 |
T-12th |
113 |
| Forced Fumbles |
3 |
T-129th |
11 |
T-52nd |
77 |
| Takeaways |
17 |
T-81st |
26 |
T-11th |
70 |
| Passing Eff. Defense |
130.87 |
73rd |
112.69 |
17th |
56 |
| Scoring Defense |
27.3 |
69th |
20 |
20th |
49 |
| Yards Per Play |
5.73 |
73rd |
5.12 |
33rd |
40 |
| Sacks Per Game (Total) |
2.09 (23) |
T-59th |
2.85 (37) |
T-20th |
39 |
In addition, the Gators’ 26 takeaways ranked tied for 11th nationally, and they scored 85 points off those turnovers.
Individually, English tutored Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to an All-SEC caliber seasons.
Gardner-Johnson finished third on the team with a career-high 71 tackles, including nine tackles-for-loss, three sacks and four interceptions. His four INTs ranked tied for 16
th in the country and tied for second in the SEC. After he snagged a pair of interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, Gardner-Johnson was named the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Defensive MVP. In addition for his efforts, the Cocoa, Fla. native garnered AP All-Bowl Team honors.
Meanwhile, English rotated four players (Brad Stewart, Donovan Stiner, Shawn Davis, Jeawon Taylor) at the two safety positions. Those four individuals combined for 176 tackles, four interceptions, three tackles-for-loss, 10 pass breakups and one forced fumble.
Not to be forgotten, Stewart made the most memorable play of Florida’s season with a pick-six in the fourth quarter of the UF’s win over LSU, and Stiner sealed Florida’s win at Mississippi State with a fourth-down sack in the waning moments of the game.
Off the field, English is known as an excellent recruiter as he helped Florida sign defensive backs Jaydon Hill, Chester Kimbrough and Chris Steele in 2019.
Mississippi State (2017)
The Bulldogs ranked fourth in pass defense (175.0 ypg.) in the Southeastern Conference, third in total defense (302.0) and fifth in scoring defense (20.4).
In addition, MSU returned an interception for a touchdown in three straight games, a first since 2007. They achieved this feat against Kentucky, Texas A&M and UMass.
San Jose State (2016)
The Spartans ranked fourth in pass defense (188.6 ypg) in the Mountain West Conference, first in third-down conversion defense (37.6 percent), fifth in interceptions (10) and fourth in turnovers forced (19).
Eastern Michigan (2009-13)
After two years of laying the foundation, English led the Eagles to its best season in 15 years in 2011.
EMU finished that season with a 6-6 overall mark and a 4-4 record in Mid-American Conference play, snapping a 15-year streak of losing seasons. EMU finished nationally in the top 50 statistically in seven categories to go along with eight top five rankings in the MAC standings.
English was named MAC Coach of the Year for his efforts.
Offensively, the Green and White rushed for 2,620 yards and 16 touchdowns on 575 carries for the 14th-best ground attack in the nation. The total was the second most in program history trailing only the 1987 team that captured the MAC title by running the ball 610 times for a total of 2,701 yards. It marked just the second time in school history that the Eagles rushed for more than 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons.
Defensively, EMU ranked 34th nationally and third in the MAC in total defense. The Eagles gave up just 350.33 yards per game, an improvement of 103.8 yards per contest. Additionally, the team averaged nearly six tackles for loss per game, the squad’s highest total since 2001 when they had 82.
Michigan (2003-07)
English coached the defensive backs for his first three seasons in Ann Arbor, Mich. and served as defensive coordinator in his final two seasons under legendary head coach Lloyd Carr.
In 2007, English oversaw an aggressive Michigan defense that was the nation's eighth-ranked pass defense and 17th in pass efficiency defense. The Wolverines were also 23rd in scoring defense and 24th in total defense.
English was named Rivals.com 2006 National Defensive Coordinator of the Year during his initial season at Michigan. The Wolverine defense rated among the nation's best, finishing first against the run, fourth in sacks, seventh in third-down defense, 10th in total defense and 15th in scoring defense.
The Michigan secondary collected 36 interceptions during his three seasons overseeing the entire corps and turned four of those picks into touchdowns. In addition, the Wolverines yielded just 37 touchdown passes by the opposition during that time, including an NCAA-leading nine in 2003.
English became the first coach in NCAA history to have two defensive backs earn consensus All-America honors in the same season, since the organization began incorporating both an offensive and defensive team in 1965. Cornerback Marlin Jackson and safety Ernest Shazor earned the recognition following the 2004 season. During his tenure on the Michigan staff he coached an All-Big 10 defensive back in every season and had two All-Conference selections in four of his five seasons.
English made an immediate impact on the Wolverine secondary during his first season as an assistant coach when Michigan tied for the national lead in fewest touchdown passes yielded with nine, and finished ninth in pass efficiency defense. The secondary collected 13 interceptions and returned two for scores.
Background
English was a four-year letterman (1987-90) and senior starter at safety for the California Golden Bears football squad. He also started on special teams all four seasons at Cal. English finished his career with 134 tackles and seven sacks and participated in the 1990 Copper Bowl against Wyoming. His identical twin brother, Don, also played for the Golden Bears.
A 1990 graduate of UC-Berkeley with a bachelor's degree in social sciences, English earned his master's degree in education administration from Arizona State in 1995.
English and his wife, Sophia, have three children: Simon, Sydney and Seth.
Coaching History
| Seasons |
School/Team |
Title/Position Coached |
| 2018-Present |
Florida |
Safeties |
| 2017 |
Mississippi State |
Safeties |
| 2016 |
San Jose State |
Defensive Coordinator |
| 2009-13 |
Eastern Michigan |
Head Coach |
| 2008 |
Louisville |
Defensive Coordinator |
| 2006-07 |
Michigan |
Defensive Coordinator |
| 2003-05 |
Michigan |
Secondary |
| 1998-2002 |
Arizona State |
Secondary |
| 1996-97 |
San Diego State |
Defensive Backs |
| 1996 |
Northern Arizona |
Defensive Backs – spring only |
| 1994-95 |
Arizona State |
Graduate Assistant |
| 1993 |
Mt. San Antonio College |
Defensive Backs |
| 1992 |
Ganesha HS (Calif.) |
Assistant Coach |
Postseason History
| Season |
Bowl / Playoff Game |
Opponent |
Result |
| 2019 |
Capital One Orange Bowl (Florida) |
Virginia |
W, 36-28 |
| 2018 |
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (Florida) |
Michigan |
W, 41-15 |
| 2017 |
Taxslayer (Mississippi State) |
Louisville |
W, 31-27 |
| 2007 |
Capital One (Michigan) |
Florida |
W, 41-35 |
| 2006 |
Rose (Michigan) |
USC |
L, 32-18 |
| 2005 |
Alamo (Michigan) |
Nebraska |
L, 32-28 |
| 2004 |
Rose (Michigan) |
Texas |
L, 38-37 |
| 2003 |
Rose (Michigan) |
USC |
L, 28-14 |
| 2002 |
Holiday (Arizona State) |
Kansas State |
L, 34-27 |
| 2000 |
Aloha (Arizona State) |
Boston College |
L, 31-17 |
| 1999 |
Aloha (Arizona State) |
Wake Forest |
L, 23-3 |
NFL Players (Round Drafted)
DB CJ Henderson (1st) - Florida '20 - Jacksonville Jaguars
S Johnathan Abram (1st) - MSU '19 - Oakland Raiders
DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (4th) – Florida ’19 – New Orleans
CB Jermaine Kelly (7th) – San Jose State ’18 – Houston Texans
DE Pat O’Connor (7th) – Eastern Michigan ’17 – Detroit Lions
RB Darius Jackson (6th) – Eastern Michigan ’16 – Dallas Cowboys
DT Terrance Taylor (4th) – Michigan ’09 – Indianapolis Colts
CB Morgan Trent (6th) – Michigan ’09 – Cincinnati Bengals
LB Shawn Crable (3rd) – Michigan ’08 – New England Patriots
CB Leon Hall (1st) – Michigan ’07 – Cincinnati Bengals
DT Alan Branch (1st) – Michigan ’07 – Arizona Cardinals
DE LaMarr Woodley (2nd) – Michigan ’07 – Pittsburgh Steelers
LB David Harris (2nd) – Michigan ’07 – New York Jets
LB Prescott Burgess (6th) – Michigan ’07 – Baltimore Ravens
DT Gabe Watson (4th) – Michigan ’06 – Arizona Cardinals
CB Marlin Jackson (1st) – Michigan ’05 – Indianapolis Colts
CB Jeremy LeSueur (3rd) – Michigan ’04 – Denver Broncos
S Jason Shrivers (5th) – Arizona State ’04 – St. Louis Rams
S Adam Archuleta (1st) – Arizona State ’01 – St. Louis Rams
CB Ricky Parker (6th) – San Diego State ’97 – Chicago Bears
Personal Information
Hometown: Pomona, Calif.
Education: 1990 – Bachelor's in social sciences (UC-Berkeley); 1995 – Master's in education administration (Arizona State)
Wife: Sophia
Children: Simon, Sydney and Seth
