Division East Head coach Dave Clawson Defensive coordinator Shannon Morrison | 2009 record 7–6 (6–2 MAC) Offensive coordinator Warren Ruggerio | |
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Conference Mid-American Conference | ||
The 2009 Bowling Green Falcons football team represented Bowling Green State University in its 57th season in the Mid-American Conference. The Falcons played in the East Division of the conference, and compete each season against five to six divisional opponents, two to three West Division opponents, and one permanent cross-divisional rival: Toledo. In 2009, Bowling Green played the first game of the home-to-home series against Marshall (which was played in Huntington) and Troy (which was played in Bowling Green). The team finished with a record of 7–6 (6–2 MAC).
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Coaching changes
On November 28, 2008, Athletic Director Greg Christopher announced that head coach Gregg Brandon had been fired after six seasons and 44-30 record, including a 31-18 conference record, which was the best of any MAC coach since 2003 and led the team to three bowl games (2-1) and shares of two East division championships. Christopher stated that a culmination of on and off the field events led to Brandon's dismissal, nine months after Brandon received a three-year contract extension. The on-field problems included the Falcons 6-6 record, which was very disappointing as the Falcons were favored to win the MAC East division, and a 1-4 home record which included losses to Miami (OH) and Eastern Michigan (who finished 2-10 and 3-9 respectively) and a 40-34 double-overtime loss to eventual MAC Champion Buffalo, after the Falcons led the game by 20 points entering the fourth quarter and gave up two touchdowns within the final three minutes of the game. Off the field, eleven Falcons players found themselves in legal troubles, two of which were arrested on drug trafficking charges. The program was also stripped of nine scholarships by the NCAA because of inadequate grades on the association's Academic Progress Report. Christopher stated that Brandon's post-game tirade about the lack of student support and attendance after the Buffalo loss, did not factor into his decision to release the coach.
On December 7, 2008, the Falcons lost two valuable coaches to rival Toledo, as defensive coordinator Mike Ward and co-offensive coordinator Matt Campbell were brought to the Rockets by new head coach (and former BG assistant) Tim Beckman. The two assistants left, because they were not guaranteed contracts after Gregg Brandon was fired. Ward was a very influential tool in recruiting and a few recruits were expected to rescind their verbals to Bowling Green, because of his departure.
On December 12, 2008, athletic director Greg Christopher named Dave Clawson as the program's 17th head coach. Clawson, served the previous season with Tennessee as the Volunteers' offensive coordinator and had been the head coach at Fordham and Richmond, winning three conference championships and two Div. I-FCS Coach of the Year awards. Others that were considered for the job included former Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Tim Beckman (now head coach at Toledo), Ohio State defensive coordinator Luke Fickell, former Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen (now head coach at Mississippi State), Louisville defensive coordinator Ron English, LSU offensive line coach Greg Studrawa, Central Michigan assistant Zach Azzani, Missouri defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and Purdue defensive coordinator Brock Spack
On January 27, 2009, Clawson announced eight additions to his coaching staff for the upcoming season. The list included Shannon Morrison and Joe Trainer hired as co-defensive coordinators, Warren Ruggerio as offensive coordinator, John Hunter as running backs coach, John McDonnell as offensive line coach, Doug Philips as defensive ends coach, Sean Spencer as defensive tackles coach and special teams coordinator, and Clint Dowdle as director of football operations. A month after being introduced as co-defensive coordinator, Joe Trainer left the Falcons to become head coach at Rhode Island, a school that he was previously an assistant and defensive coordinator.
On February 2, 2009, quarterbacks coach Jim Hofher left the Falcons to become offensive coordinator at Delaware.
Key losses
Clawson dismissed Senior defensive lineman Michael Ream for an undisclosed violation of team rules in April. Ream, who had been suspended in 2007 due to violating team rules, was to be the only senior on Bowling Green's defensive line. When asked about the dismissal, Clawson stated "We are disappointed that we had to take this step, but when a student-athlete makes a poor decision, he must live with the consequences of his decision."
The following are some of the key players (all but Ream having graduated) who will be no longer eligible to play in the 2009 season:
*-Underclassman †-Dismissed from team
Schedule
Sources: