NMU dumps football coach
November 30, 2011
, Marquette Mining Journal
MARQUETTE - After tossing a league-leading 18 interceptions, Northern Michigan University senior quarterback Carter Kopach admirably fell on the sword after the Wildcats' season-ending loss to the Michigan Tech Huskies at the Superior Dome left the program with back-to-back losing seasons.
Kopach taking the fall was not enough, however.
NMU interim athletic director Steve Reed announced Tuesday the contract of head coach Bernie Anderson will not be renewed when it expires on June 30, ending the Ishpeming native's six-year stint.
The Wildcats finished 4-7 overall and 3-7 in the GLIAC this season, which was good for sixth in the North Division. NMU won its first three games before closing the year 1-7 with the lone victory coming against winless Tiffin.
While the decision to renew Anderson's contract was based on all six of his seasons at NMU, Reed said the disappointment of 2011 was the last straw.
"This year maybe was a tipping point," Reed said. "I think you look at the total package and the total picture and I think it was time for a change."
Reed is scheduled to meet with university president Les Wong this morning and a replacement for Anderson could come as early as today, or Thursday at the latest.
As of Tuesday night, offensive coordinator Chris Ostrowsky and defensive coordinator Randy Awrey were both still with the program.
Anderson, Ostrowsky and Awrey were not available for comment Tuesday and neither were players after a team meeting announcing the end of Anderson's tenure as head coach.
"With recruiting season upon us and already in progress, time is of the essence," Reed said. "(Today) I will be meeting with the president to discuss further directions we may want to go.
"We expect very shortly to have future direction solidified. You'll know this week."
In Anderson's six seasons at NMU, he compiled a record of 24-38, with his lone winning season at 6-4 coming in 2009.
Anderson coached NMU to a 5-5 record in 2007 - his second season at NMU after replacing Doug Sams - though one of those wins was a game Saginaw Valley State later forfeited due to secondary NCAA violations.
Prior to Anderson's arrival, Northern had won a combined eight games in three seasons.
"We're definitely in better position than where we were six years ago and not everything certainly has been a negative," Reed said.
"We've made strides, but again, when you look at it overall, we haven't gotten it to the point where we want to be year-in and year-out."
Anderson, who has an all-time record of 117-134 as a collegiate football head coach, came to Northern in 2006 after coaching at Michigan Tech for 22 seasons, including 19 as head coach. He finished 2-4 against MTU as coach of NMU.
Anderson finished as the winningest football coach in Husky history at 93-96, while also guiding the program to its first NCAA Division II playoff berth in 1999. Tech also shared the 2004 GLIAC title with Northwood and ranked in the top 10 in 1999 and 2004.
Anderson, a former standout prep and collegiate wrestler, graduated twice from NMU, in 1979 with a bachelors in secondary education, and with a masters degree in 1984.
Reed said the decision not to bring Anderson back had nothing to do with academic, conduct, alumni relations or fundraising issues.
In the end, one winning season in six tries was not enough for a university striving to win championships.
"It's always difficult to make coaching leadership changes," Reed said in a statement announcing the end of the Anderson era Tuesday afternoon.
"But the university's mission with all of its intercollegiate athletic programs is that they be successful both on and off the playing field.
"We do not expect a conference title every year," he added, "but we need to be in the conference race on a much more consistent basis, especially if the academic and athletic talent is present."
Kopach taking the fall was not enough, however.
NMU interim athletic director Steve Reed announced Tuesday the contract of head coach Bernie Anderson will not be renewed when it expires on June 30, ending the Ishpeming native's six-year stint.
The Wildcats finished 4-7 overall and 3-7 in the GLIAC this season, which was good for sixth in the North Division. NMU won its first three games before closing the year 1-7 with the lone victory coming against winless Tiffin.
While the decision to renew Anderson's contract was based on all six of his seasons at NMU, Reed said the disappointment of 2011 was the last straw.
"This year maybe was a tipping point," Reed said. "I think you look at the total package and the total picture and I think it was time for a change."
Reed is scheduled to meet with university president Les Wong this morning and a replacement for Anderson could come as early as today, or Thursday at the latest.
As of Tuesday night, offensive coordinator Chris Ostrowsky and defensive coordinator Randy Awrey were both still with the program.
Anderson, Ostrowsky and Awrey were not available for comment Tuesday and neither were players after a team meeting announcing the end of Anderson's tenure as head coach.
"With recruiting season upon us and already in progress, time is of the essence," Reed said. "(Today) I will be meeting with the president to discuss further directions we may want to go.
"We expect very shortly to have future direction solidified. You'll know this week."
In Anderson's six seasons at NMU, he compiled a record of 24-38, with his lone winning season at 6-4 coming in 2009.
Anderson coached NMU to a 5-5 record in 2007 - his second season at NMU after replacing Doug Sams - though one of those wins was a game Saginaw Valley State later forfeited due to secondary NCAA violations.
Prior to Anderson's arrival, Northern had won a combined eight games in three seasons.
"We're definitely in better position than where we were six years ago and not everything certainly has been a negative," Reed said.
"We've made strides, but again, when you look at it overall, we haven't gotten it to the point where we want to be year-in and year-out."
Anderson, who has an all-time record of 117-134 as a collegiate football head coach, came to Northern in 2006 after coaching at Michigan Tech for 22 seasons, including 19 as head coach. He finished 2-4 against MTU as coach of NMU.
Anderson finished as the winningest football coach in Husky history at 93-96, while also guiding the program to its first NCAA Division II playoff berth in 1999. Tech also shared the 2004 GLIAC title with Northwood and ranked in the top 10 in 1999 and 2004.
Anderson, a former standout prep and collegiate wrestler, graduated twice from NMU, in 1979 with a bachelors in secondary education, and with a masters degree in 1984.
Reed said the decision not to bring Anderson back had nothing to do with academic, conduct, alumni relations or fundraising issues.
In the end, one winning season in six tries was not enough for a university striving to win championships.
"It's always difficult to make coaching leadership changes," Reed said in a statement announcing the end of the Anderson era Tuesday afternoon.
"But the university's mission with all of its intercollegiate athletic programs is that they be successful both on and off the playing field.
"We do not expect a conference title every year," he added, "but we need to be in the conference race on a much more consistent basis, especially if the academic and athletic talent is present."
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