Eastern Michigan coach Ron English was fired Friday, and on Saturday, EMU athletic director Heather Lyke released a statement saying one reason English was let go is because of unacceptable behavior.
"I received a tape of a situation in which Coach English had addressed the team and used wholly inappropriate language," the statement read. "We hold our coaches and staff to high standards of professionalism and conduct, and there is no place, particularly in a student environment, where this language is appropriate.
"The statements made by Coach English are absolutely unacceptable. My decision to make a change in leadership of our football program was the culmination of a lot of factors, including the comprehensive review of our program, the competitive performance and this tape."
The Detroit News received a copy of the tape Lyke referenced.
English was in his fifth season as coach and finished 11-46 with the Eagles.
English is not the first coach to be canned during the the 2013 season. USC dismissed Lane Kiffin back in September. Paul Pasqualoni was dismissed by UConn after the Huskies opened 0-4, and Miami (Ohio) fired coach Don Treadwell after an 0-5 start. Florida Atlantic coach Carl Pelini resigned in early November after he was confronted with allegations that he and an assistant were seen using drugs, but he now denies the allegations and wants to be reinstated.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
