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Eastern Michigan fires Ron English

College Football, Eastern Michigan Eagles, Western Michigan Broncos, Ball State Cardinals

Eastern Michigan fired coach Ron English on Friday, nine games into his fifth season with the team and less than 24 hours before the Eagles' next game.

The Eagles are 1-8 this season, with the win coming against Howard in the season opener. English had a record of 11-46 at Eastern Michigan.

"At this time, I have decided that a change in the leadership of our football team is necessary," athletic director Heather Lyke said in a statement. "Eastern Michigan University's commitment to our student-athletes remains of the utmost importance as we move forward with the rest of this season and in selecting the new leader of our program."

Offensive coordinator Stan Parrish will serve as interim coach. Parrish was coach at Ball State in 2008-10 and also led Marshall and Kansas State in the 1980s.

Eastern Michigan hosts rival Western Michigan (1-8) on Saturday.

English's best season at Eastern Michigan came in 2011, when the Eagles finished 6-6 but were not bowl eligible. English failed to win more than two games in any other season. Eastern Michigan has not been to a bowl since 1987.

Eastern Michigan dealt with tragedy earlier this season when wide receiver Demarius Reed was found shot to death Oct. 18.

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