Eastern Michigan Athletics
Football
Oct 11 (Sat)
TBA
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- Title:
- Asst. Coach (Offensive Line)
Chris Symington, a former assistant coach at Tennessee State, is starting his fifth year as the offensive line coach at Eastern Michigan University.
Under Symington’s guidance, the Eagles allowed just 14 sacks in 2007. That total ranks as the second fewest amount allowed in the Mid-American Conference and the 19th fewest in the nation.
Additionally, that line helped protect an EMU offense that racked up 24.2 points and 337.5 yards per game last season.
During the 2006 campaign Symington guided an offensive line that allowed the fifth lowest amount of sacks in the league at 26.
In 2005 the offensive line allowed just 17 sacks on the season, the second-lowest allowed in the Mid-American Conference.
In 2004 the interior line helped protect an EMU offense that piles up the yardage, allowing just 14 sacks in 877 total plays. The Eagles finished 21st in the nation in total offense, rolling up an average of 427.91 yards per game. The Eagles were also 33rd in the Division I-A ranks in scoring offense at 29.82 points per game.
The 44-year-old Symington (3-14-64) joins the EMU staff after spending the past four years as an offensive line coach at Tennessee State University. He also served as an assistant football coach at Western Kentucky (1996-99), Northwood University (1995), Vanderbilt (1990-94) and as a graduate assistant football coach at the University of Colorado (1989-90).
A native of Greenwich, Conn., Symington was part of the 1981 state championship team at Greenwich High School and was named All-State for his efforts. He then went on to play one season at Milford Academy and graduated in 1982 and then played one year at Washburn University before transferring to the University of Colorado. He completed his bachelor’s degree in communications at Colorado in 1988.
As a player, Symington earned two varsity letters at the University of Colorado (1985-87) where he was named honorable mention All-Big 8 Conference and was the Offensive Most Valuable Player on the 1987 Buffaloes’ squad. He played on one bowl team while at Colorado, in the 1985 Freedom Bowl.
After his collegiate career was completed, Symington signed as a free agent with the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Symington and his wife, Marti have six children: Adam (6-18-81), Jessica (3-11-83), Blair (4-9-88), Jackson (9-27-93), Mary Grace (4-20-97) and Stuart (3-29-99).
