EDITORIAL: Bon Voyage
Social media erupted Thursday after it was announced Head Coach Dan Enos resigned from Central Michigan University football to become the offensive coordinator for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.
We have two words for him: Bon Voyage.
The departure of Enos after five years of service to the CMU Football team came as a surprise Thursday, but not a bad one.
The hashtag #FireEnos trended persistently throughout his career at CMU. It was not rooted merely in dislike for Enos, but in the consistent disappointment felt by CMU football fans.
Enos earned a 26-36 record in his five-year career. His record is undeniably inferior when compared to the wins accumulated by his predecessors Brian Kelly and Lyle Allen "Butch" Jones Jr.
It is worth mentioning here that Enos is the third consecutive head football coach to move from CMU to a school with a more highly-ranked program. Kelly and Jones eventually ended up at Notre Dame and the University of Tennessee, respectively. Enos, too, will be receiving a pay raise – he will make $550,000 per year at Arkansas – and all the spotlight that comes with coaching in college football's premier league, the Southeastern Conference.
Enos' coaching failed to cultivate sufficient game attendance, which is reflected by the fact that student attendance accounted for only 20 percent of the 2013 attendance total.
Lack of interest in home football games may be due to Enos' struggle to connect with CMU students and community members throughout his career. An aloof head coach who does not actively engage the 'Chippewas' fans is not likely to garner much excitement or interest in his team.
Even in times of great success on the field, like when CMU played in the Popeyes Bahama Bowl that attracted national coverage, Enos has been reluctant to connect with the student body and local media.
It is not uncommon to see coaching changes at this time of year, at both collegiate and national levels.
Enos' announcement a mere two weeks before National Signing Day might cause potential recruits to reevaluate their collegiate options, but it will not leave a lasting scar on CMU's football team.
The departure of an uninspiring head coach is not a detriment, but a blessing. CMU is now free to seek a better fit for its team and to cultivate a more inclusive and positive culture around it.
Enos' replacement, whoever it may be, will bring positive changes to the program.
For now, at least we can find comfort in the knowledge that no matter who Athletics Director Dave Heeke chooses to lead the program into 2015, a future without Enos is certainly a brighter one.
