Ron Ernst

Ron Ernst (born October 5, 1957) is an American football coach. He served as the head football coach at Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin from 1991 to 2022, compiling a record of 193–114. Ernst won his 100th game during the 2006 season and won more games than any other coach in program history. Ernst also served as Ripon's head men's golf coach, associate professor in the Department of Exercise Science and assistant athletic director.

Ron Ernst
Current position
TitleDefensive coordinator
TeamIngolstadt Dukes
Biographical details
Born (1957-10-05) October 5, 1957
Hastings, Nebraska, U.S.
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1980–1981Osceola HS (NE)
1982–1985Fort Calhoun HS (NE)
1986–1988Greeley Central HS (CO)
1989–1990Northern Colorado (DL)
1991–2022Ripon
2023–presentIngolstadt Dukes (DC)
Head coaching record
Overall193–114 (college)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
3 MWC (1996, 2001, 2022)
3 MWC North Division (1995–1997)
Awards
2× MWC Coach of the Year (1996, 2022)
4× Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Wisconsin Private College Coach of the Year (2001, 2008, 2010, 2022)

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

Ernst 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 Ernst 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, Ernst 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 2006, Ernst was inducted into the Ripon College Hall of Fame, and in March 2009 he was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In 2015, Ernst became the all-time winningest coach in both Midwest Conference and Ripon College history.[1]

Ernst has led the Red Hawks to 26 winning seasons, three division titles (1995, 1996 and 1997) in the now-defunct North Division and three MWC titles (1996, 2001, and 2022).

He was first 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 in 1995, and the Wisconsin Private College Coach of the Year from the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association in 2001, 2008, and 2010. Most recently, he was named as both the 2022 Midwest Conference Coach of the Year and the 2022 Wisconsin Private College Coach of the Year after leading the Red Hawks to a 9-1 record.[2]

Ernst retired after the 2022 season.[3]

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 ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs
Ripon Redmen / Red Hawks (Midwest Conference) (1991–present)
1991 Ripon 5–42–23rd (North)
1992 Ripon 5–42–34th (North)
1993 Ripon 5–42–3T–4th (North)
1994 Ripon 4–52–34th (North)
1995 Ripon 8–24–11st (North)
1996 Ripon 9–15–01st (North)
1997 Ripon 6–34–1T–1st (North)
1998 Ripon 7–37–2T–2nd
1999 Ripon 6–46–3T–3rd
2000 Ripon 9–18–12nd
2001 Ripon 8–27–1T–1st
2002 Ripon 7–37–23rd
2003 Ripon 6–45–44th
2004 Ripon 5–54–56th
2005 Ripon 6–45–4T–4th
2006 Ripon 7–37–2T–2nd
2007 Ripon 7–37–2T–2nd
2008 Ripon 8–28–12nd
2009 Ripon 7–37–23rd
2010 Ripon 7–36–3T–2nd
2011 Ripon 6–45–45th
2012 Ripon 5–55–4T–5th
2013 Ripon 7–36–35th
2014 Ripon 3–72–34th (North)
2015 Ripon 7–33–23rd (North)
2016 Ripon 2–82–6T–7th
2017 Ripon 5–53–2T–2nd (North)
2018 Ripon 7–33–23rd (North)
2019 Ripon 4–63–23rd (North)
2020–21 Ripon 0–3
2021 Ripon 6–35–34th
2022 Ripon 9–18–1T–1st
Ripon: 193–114150–77
Total:193–114
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References
  1. "Ron Ernst - Football Coach". Ripon College Athletics. Retrieved 2022-12-14.
  2. "Red Hawks Haul In Bevy Of Postseason Football Awards After Stellar Season". Ripon College Athletics. Retrieved 2022-12-14.
  3. Bailey, Jonathan (August 10, 2022). "One last hurrah! Ron Ernst will step down at end of season after 32-year career at Ripon College". Ripon Press. Ripon, Wisconsin. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
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