Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography
EMU Football Announces Coaching Staff Changes
2/17/2020 4:17:00 PM | Football
Head Coach Chris Creighton announced new titles and coaches heading into the 2020 season
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University Head Football Coach Chris Creighton announced a trio of coaching additions as well as three title changes today, Feb. 17, as he continues to finalize his staff heading into the 2020 season.
New to the staff, Brandon Blaney will coach the tight ends, LaMarcus Hicks will mentor the cornerbacks, while Mike Piatkowski returns as quarterbacks coach. Additionally, James Patton adds the Run Game Coordinator title in addition to his offensive line responsibilities, while Fred Reed will shift from cornerbacks to coach the safeties along with the Pass Game Coordinator role. Special Teams Coordinator Jay Nunez will also work with the defensive tackles as a part of the shift in responsibilities.
Blaney owns 24 years of coaching experience in the college and professional ranks having coached in the NFL, Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, and the Gateway Football Conference. Furthermore, he has also won a pair of national championships as a part of the coaching staffs at the University of Oklahoma (2000) and Youngstown State University (1997).
Blaney spent the last two years with the University of Michigan as a senior offensive analyst within with the offensive line. The Wolverines tallied a 19-7 record in his two seasons in Ann Arbor, finishing ranked in the Top-25 in both campaigns. In 2019, the offense was led by quarterback Shea Patterson, who became just the third Wolverine passer to eclipse the 3,000 yards passing mark. Meanwhile in 2018, running back Karan Higdon became the first Michigan running back to rush for 1,000 yards in a season since Fitzgerald Toussaint in 2011.
Before joining the Michigan staff, Blaney was a defensive assistant for the Tennessee Titans (2015-17) and the offensive line coach at Iowa State University (2014-15). Prior to his arrival in Ames, Iowa, Blaney spent the 2011 season serving as the Jaguars' defensive quality control coach and was promoted to defensive assistant coach in 2012.
"I have wanted to work with Coach Blaney since the late 1990s," Creighton said. "I am thrilled that it has worked out for him to join us here at Eastern Michigan. He has been successful at so many different levels. His expertise and genuine care for our players will serve us well."
Hicks owns eight years of coaching experience in the college ranks following a two-year stint as a defensive back for the Detroit Lions, appearing in 12 games from 2007-08.
He spent the past two years as the secondary coach at Mid-American Conference rival Bowling Green State University. The Falcons tallied 13 interceptions in Hicks' two seasons at BGSU, while ranking sixth nationally in passing yards allowed during the 2018 campaign at just 167.6 yards per game.
Before arriving in the Buckeye State, Hicks spent two years (2016-17) at Jackson State University. He was part of a defense that ranked in the top-40 in the country in total defense at 341.6 yards per contest in 2017. The team ranked No. 29 nationally in passing efficiency allowed (116.68) and No. 16 in passing yards allowed (171.3). In his first season at JSU in 2016, the program ranked in the top-35 nationally in total defense (348.9) and passing yards allowed (188.0).
"Coach Hicks has been linked to this area for 14 years," added Creighton. "It is where he played professionally and where he started his coaching career. He has a proven track record and fits what we are all about."
Piatkowski (pronounced pie-it-COW-ski) has spent the past six years moving up the college football ranks. He worked on the offensive side of the football most recently with a stop at Indiana University learning under former EMU offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer. Piatkowski also previously was a graduate assistant coach at Eastern Michigan (2016-17) and Midland (Neb.) University (2014-15).
Indiana sported an 8-5 record in 2019, a resurrection season said by some in the Midwest, as it was the Hoosiers' best regular season in 26 years. The eight wins tied for the third-most in school history, trailing only the 1945 and 1967 Big Ten Conference Championship teams who each won nine games. Indiana posted a winning conference record for the first time since 1993 (5-3) and was nationally ranked for the first time in 25 years, breaking the oldest such drought in the country.
The Hoosiers' offense, a catalyst of the success, excelled ranking inside the top-five in the 14-team Big Ten conference in passing offense (302.4; second), first downs (23.4; second), time of possession (33:43; third) turnovers lost (15; third), total offense (432.8; third), passing efficiency (150.6; fourth), third down conversion percentage (.469; fourth), and scoring offense (31.8; fifth).
Before heading to Bloomington, Piatkowski was a graduate assistant working with the offense line in Ypsilanti from 2016-17. In his first season, EMU tied the Football Bowl Subdivision mark for the biggest turnaround in 2016, improving six games on its win total from one win in 2015. The offense shattered the school record for total yards with 5,917 yards, breaking the previous record of 5,010. School records were also set for points scored (385), passing yards (3,849), touchdown passes (25), first downs (303), pass completions (309), plays (999) as well single-game plays (99). The squad racked up the second-most touchdowns (47) and rushing TDs (21) in a season, and the second-most single-game touchdown (8) and first downs (35).
"I helped recruit Coach Piatkowski to Drake," Creighton said. "I coached him for five years, hired him as a graduate assistant, and now as a full time coach. It's hard to describe how excited I am about having him coach our quarterbacks. He will do an awesome job."
Patton owns 19 years of experience in the Midwest, spending seven as a player and coach at his alma mater Miami University, seven as an assistant at Northwestern University, four as an assistant with Indiana University, and the 2019 season at EMU. He also coached the offensive line at the University of Oklahoma from 2006-12. Furthermore, he has coached in 14 bowl games and on six conference championship teams.
Last year with Patton, Eastern's offense was electric, amassing 5,271 total yards, 49 touchdowns, and 379 total points. Overall, the EMU offense set the program record for touchdowns in a season (49), touchdown passes in a season (27), and passes completed in a season (313). Additionally, EMU's 285 first downs, 379 points, and 5,271 total yards of offense ranked second all-time in program history.
"Coach Patton made us better last year," said Creighton of Patton. "He will add the responsibility of coordinating our running game as he continues to coach the offensive line."
Reed's 25-year coaching career includes 23 seasons in the college ranks and two years in the National Football League. Reed's resume includes seven bowl games and three conference championships, and he has coached four All-Americans,13 first-team all-conference selections, and developed 11 NFL prospects.
In 2019, Reed helped Kevin McGill garner All-Mid-American Conference third-team honors. A fixture on the preseason watch lists in the preseason with Bednarik Award, Nagurski, and Thorpe Award Watch List selections, McGill finished the regular season with 30 tackles, five pass breakups, two TFLs, and an interception as a senior.
The 2018 campaign saw the EMU defense once again at the top of the MAC, as the Eagles allowed just 150.2 passing yards per game, good for tops in the league and third-best in the NCAA. Eastern had two players, Vince Calhoun and McGill, intercept three passes apiece, which tied for second-most in the MAC.
"Coach Reed has done an excellent job coaching our cornerbacks," mentioned Creighton of Reed. "He will now take over the safeties and with that will coordinate our pass defense."
Nunez has spent the last three years helping Eastern's reach new levels as the special teams coordinator. In 2019, punter Jake Julien set the program's single-season punting mark at 43.8 yards per boot. Overall, Julien led the MAC and ranked 30th nationally in punting. Furthermore, placekicker Chad Ryland connected on 14 field goals, including the game-winner to upend Big Ten Conference foe Illinois.
In 2018, EMU special teams ranked second nationally in punts down inside the five, fourth in punts down inside the 10, and 23rd in punts downed inside the 20. The Eagles were fifth in the FBS in punts past the 50 as well as 18th nationally in kickoff coverage and 19th in blocked kicks.
"Coach Nunez will continue to coordinate our special teams and will also take over the interior defensive line, said Creighton. " Having another full-time coach on defense will make us even better.
Eastern returns to the gray turf for its first spring practice Tuesday, March 10. The session kicks off a string of 15 practice dates during a four-week period that culminates with the program's annual spring football game Saturday, April 11, inside "The Factory" at Rynearson Stadium.
New to the staff, Brandon Blaney will coach the tight ends, LaMarcus Hicks will mentor the cornerbacks, while Mike Piatkowski returns as quarterbacks coach. Additionally, James Patton adds the Run Game Coordinator title in addition to his offensive line responsibilities, while Fred Reed will shift from cornerbacks to coach the safeties along with the Pass Game Coordinator role. Special Teams Coordinator Jay Nunez will also work with the defensive tackles as a part of the shift in responsibilities.
Blaney owns 24 years of coaching experience in the college and professional ranks having coached in the NFL, Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, and the Gateway Football Conference. Furthermore, he has also won a pair of national championships as a part of the coaching staffs at the University of Oklahoma (2000) and Youngstown State University (1997).
Blaney spent the last two years with the University of Michigan as a senior offensive analyst within with the offensive line. The Wolverines tallied a 19-7 record in his two seasons in Ann Arbor, finishing ranked in the Top-25 in both campaigns. In 2019, the offense was led by quarterback Shea Patterson, who became just the third Wolverine passer to eclipse the 3,000 yards passing mark. Meanwhile in 2018, running back Karan Higdon became the first Michigan running back to rush for 1,000 yards in a season since Fitzgerald Toussaint in 2011.
Before joining the Michigan staff, Blaney was a defensive assistant for the Tennessee Titans (2015-17) and the offensive line coach at Iowa State University (2014-15). Prior to his arrival in Ames, Iowa, Blaney spent the 2011 season serving as the Jaguars' defensive quality control coach and was promoted to defensive assistant coach in 2012.
"I have wanted to work with Coach Blaney since the late 1990s," Creighton said. "I am thrilled that it has worked out for him to join us here at Eastern Michigan. He has been successful at so many different levels. His expertise and genuine care for our players will serve us well."
Hicks owns eight years of coaching experience in the college ranks following a two-year stint as a defensive back for the Detroit Lions, appearing in 12 games from 2007-08.
He spent the past two years as the secondary coach at Mid-American Conference rival Bowling Green State University. The Falcons tallied 13 interceptions in Hicks' two seasons at BGSU, while ranking sixth nationally in passing yards allowed during the 2018 campaign at just 167.6 yards per game.
Before arriving in the Buckeye State, Hicks spent two years (2016-17) at Jackson State University. He was part of a defense that ranked in the top-40 in the country in total defense at 341.6 yards per contest in 2017. The team ranked No. 29 nationally in passing efficiency allowed (116.68) and No. 16 in passing yards allowed (171.3). In his first season at JSU in 2016, the program ranked in the top-35 nationally in total defense (348.9) and passing yards allowed (188.0).
"Coach Hicks has been linked to this area for 14 years," added Creighton. "It is where he played professionally and where he started his coaching career. He has a proven track record and fits what we are all about."
Piatkowski (pronounced pie-it-COW-ski) has spent the past six years moving up the college football ranks. He worked on the offensive side of the football most recently with a stop at Indiana University learning under former EMU offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer. Piatkowski also previously was a graduate assistant coach at Eastern Michigan (2016-17) and Midland (Neb.) University (2014-15).
Indiana sported an 8-5 record in 2019, a resurrection season said by some in the Midwest, as it was the Hoosiers' best regular season in 26 years. The eight wins tied for the third-most in school history, trailing only the 1945 and 1967 Big Ten Conference Championship teams who each won nine games. Indiana posted a winning conference record for the first time since 1993 (5-3) and was nationally ranked for the first time in 25 years, breaking the oldest such drought in the country.
The Hoosiers' offense, a catalyst of the success, excelled ranking inside the top-five in the 14-team Big Ten conference in passing offense (302.4; second), first downs (23.4; second), time of possession (33:43; third) turnovers lost (15; third), total offense (432.8; third), passing efficiency (150.6; fourth), third down conversion percentage (.469; fourth), and scoring offense (31.8; fifth).
Before heading to Bloomington, Piatkowski was a graduate assistant working with the offense line in Ypsilanti from 2016-17. In his first season, EMU tied the Football Bowl Subdivision mark for the biggest turnaround in 2016, improving six games on its win total from one win in 2015. The offense shattered the school record for total yards with 5,917 yards, breaking the previous record of 5,010. School records were also set for points scored (385), passing yards (3,849), touchdown passes (25), first downs (303), pass completions (309), plays (999) as well single-game plays (99). The squad racked up the second-most touchdowns (47) and rushing TDs (21) in a season, and the second-most single-game touchdown (8) and first downs (35).
"I helped recruit Coach Piatkowski to Drake," Creighton said. "I coached him for five years, hired him as a graduate assistant, and now as a full time coach. It's hard to describe how excited I am about having him coach our quarterbacks. He will do an awesome job."
Patton owns 19 years of experience in the Midwest, spending seven as a player and coach at his alma mater Miami University, seven as an assistant at Northwestern University, four as an assistant with Indiana University, and the 2019 season at EMU. He also coached the offensive line at the University of Oklahoma from 2006-12. Furthermore, he has coached in 14 bowl games and on six conference championship teams.
Last year with Patton, Eastern's offense was electric, amassing 5,271 total yards, 49 touchdowns, and 379 total points. Overall, the EMU offense set the program record for touchdowns in a season (49), touchdown passes in a season (27), and passes completed in a season (313). Additionally, EMU's 285 first downs, 379 points, and 5,271 total yards of offense ranked second all-time in program history.
"Coach Patton made us better last year," said Creighton of Patton. "He will add the responsibility of coordinating our running game as he continues to coach the offensive line."
Reed's 25-year coaching career includes 23 seasons in the college ranks and two years in the National Football League. Reed's resume includes seven bowl games and three conference championships, and he has coached four All-Americans,13 first-team all-conference selections, and developed 11 NFL prospects.
In 2019, Reed helped Kevin McGill garner All-Mid-American Conference third-team honors. A fixture on the preseason watch lists in the preseason with Bednarik Award, Nagurski, and Thorpe Award Watch List selections, McGill finished the regular season with 30 tackles, five pass breakups, two TFLs, and an interception as a senior.
The 2018 campaign saw the EMU defense once again at the top of the MAC, as the Eagles allowed just 150.2 passing yards per game, good for tops in the league and third-best in the NCAA. Eastern had two players, Vince Calhoun and McGill, intercept three passes apiece, which tied for second-most in the MAC.
"Coach Reed has done an excellent job coaching our cornerbacks," mentioned Creighton of Reed. "He will now take over the safeties and with that will coordinate our pass defense."
Nunez has spent the last three years helping Eastern's reach new levels as the special teams coordinator. In 2019, punter Jake Julien set the program's single-season punting mark at 43.8 yards per boot. Overall, Julien led the MAC and ranked 30th nationally in punting. Furthermore, placekicker Chad Ryland connected on 14 field goals, including the game-winner to upend Big Ten Conference foe Illinois.
In 2018, EMU special teams ranked second nationally in punts down inside the five, fourth in punts down inside the 10, and 23rd in punts downed inside the 20. The Eagles were fifth in the FBS in punts past the 50 as well as 18th nationally in kickoff coverage and 19th in blocked kicks.
"Coach Nunez will continue to coordinate our special teams and will also take over the interior defensive line, said Creighton. " Having another full-time coach on defense will make us even better.
Eastern returns to the gray turf for its first spring practice Tuesday, March 10. The session kicks off a string of 15 practice dates during a four-week period that culminates with the program's annual spring football game Saturday, April 11, inside "The Factory" at Rynearson Stadium.
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