Ron Ernst
Ron Ernst (born October 5, 1957) is an American football coach and former player. He is the head football coach at Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin, a position he has held since 1991. Ernst won his 100th game during the 2006 season and has won more games than any other coach in school history. Ernst also serves as Ripon's head men's golf coach, associate professor in the Department of Exercise Science and assistant athletic director.
| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Head coach |
| Team | Ripon |
| Conference | MWC |
| Record | 178–107 |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | October 5, 1957 Hastings, Nebraska |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1980–1981 | Osceola HS (NE) |
| 1982–1985 | Fort Calhoun HS (NE) |
| 1986–1988 | Greeley Central HS (CO) |
| 1989–1990 | Northern Colorado (DL) |
| 1991–present | Ripon |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 178–107 (college) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Championships | |
| 2 MWC (1996, 2001) 4 MWC North Division (1995–1997, 2001) | |
Early life and education
A native of Hastings, Nebraska, Ernst is a 1980 graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University where he received his bachelor's degree in social science and physical education. He earned his master's degree in physical education and athletic administration at the University of Northern Colorado in 1990. While attending Nebraska Wesleyan, Ernst was a four-year letterman in football, a three-year letterman in track and earned one letter in baseball.
Coaching career
Ernest began his coaching career at the high school level. He served as the head football coach at three different high schools in Nebraska and Colorado, winning a conference championship at each school.
From 1980 to 1981 Ernst was the head football coach at Osceola High School in Osceola, Nebraska. By his second season, the Bulldogs had won a conference championship and were rated third in the region.
From 1982 to 1985 Ernest was the head football coach at Fort Calhoun High School in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska. Ernst took over a program that had never had a winning season in the school's history. By his third season, the Pioneers had won a conference championship, qualified for the state playoffs and were ranked eighth in the state classification C-2.
From 1986 to 1988, Ernest was the head football coach at Greeley Central High School in Greeley, Colorado. Ernst took over a program that had not had a winning season in more than 20 years. By his second year, the Wildcats were Northern Conference champions, finishing the season in the state semifinal playoffs. In 1987, Ernst was named Colorado AAA Coach of the Year by The Denver Post.
Ernst served as the defensive line coach at the University of Northern Colorado under Joe Glenn from 1989 to 1990. The Bears qualified for the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs in 1990.
Ripon
Ernst hit a milestone in 2006, winning his 100th career game. In his 16th season with the Red Hawks, Ernst has won more games than any other coach in Ripon College history.
Ernst has led the Red Hawks to 14 winning seasons, three division titles (1995, 1996 and 1997) in the now-defunct North Division and two MWC titles (1996 and 2001).
He was named the Midwest Conference Coach of the Year in 1996 when he led the team to a record nine-win season. He also has been named the NCAA Division III Region 5 Coach of the Year (1995). Most recently, he was named 2001 Wisconsin Football Private College Coach of the Year.
Personal life
Ernst resides in Ripon, Wisconsin with his wife, Janet. They have three sons: Tim, Bryan, and John.
Head coaching record
College
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ripon Redmen / Red Hawks (Midwest Conference) (1991–present) | |||||||||
| 1991 | Ripon | 5–4 | 2–2 | 3rd (North) | |||||
| 1992 | Ripon | 5–4 | 2–3 | 4th (North) | |||||
| 1993 | Ripon | 5–4 | 2–3 | T–4th (North) | |||||
| 1994 | Ripon | 4–5 | 2–3 | 4th (North) | |||||
| 1995 | Ripon | 8–2 | 4–1 | 1st (North) | |||||
| 1996 | Ripon | 9–1 | 5–0 | 1st (North) | |||||
| 1997 | Ripon | 6–4 | 4–1 | T–1st (North) | |||||
| 1998 | Ripon | 7–3 | 7–2 | T–2nd | |||||
| 1999 | Ripon | 6–4 | 6–3 | T–3rd | |||||
| 2000 | Ripon | 9–1 | 8–1 | 2nd | |||||
| 2001 | Ripon | 8–2 | 7–1 | T–1st | |||||
| 2002 | Ripon | 7–3 | 7–2 | 3rd | |||||
| 2003 | Ripon | 6–4 | 5–4 | 4th | |||||
| 2004 | Ripon | 5–5 | 4–5 | 6th | |||||
| 2005 | Ripon | 6–4 | 5–4 | T–4th | |||||
| 2006 | Ripon | 7–3 | 7–2 | T–2nd | |||||
| 2007 | Ripon | 7–3 | 7–2 | T–2nd | |||||
| 2008 | Ripon | 8–2 | 8–1 | 2nd | |||||
| 2009 | Ripon | 7–3 | 7–2 | 3rd | |||||
| 2010 | Ripon | 7–3 | 6–3 | T–2nd | |||||
| 2011 | Ripon | 6–4 | 5–4 | 5th | |||||
| 2012 | Ripon | 5–5 | 5–4 | T–5th | |||||
| 2013 | Ripon | 7–3 | 6–3 | 5th | |||||
| 2014 | Ripon | 3–7 | 2–3 | 4th (North) | |||||
| 2015 | Ripon | 7–3 | 3–2 | 3rd (North) | |||||
| 2016 | Ripon | 2–8 | 2–6 | T–7th | |||||
| 2017 | Ripon | 5–5 | 3–2 | T–2nd (North) | |||||
| 2018 | Ripon | 7–3 | 3–2 | 3rd (North) | |||||
| 2019 | Ripon | 4–6 | 3–2 | 3rd (North) | |||||
| Ripon: | 178–107 | 137–73 | |||||||
| Total: | 178–107 | ||||||||
| National championship Conference title Conference division title or championship game berth | |||||||||