BIG RAPIDS- Tony Annese and the Ferris State football team have a chance to make NCAA Division 2 history this season. If they were to defend their national championship title again this year, Annese would be the first coach in Division 2 history to win four championships in five years.
The three titles are the first in Ferris State’s history, and have all come under head coach Tony Annese. Winning has followed him wherever he’s gone, he began his career at the high school level, winning three state titles at Muskegon, before moving to Junior College and winning two national championships at Grand Rapids Community College.
Annese got to Ferris in 2012 and has posted a 137-21 record, along with the longest D2 playoff streak in the country at ten years.
The 64 year old will more than likely retire a Bulldog, but still has gas in the tank and spoke about his excitement level entering his 13th season.
“Getting older, but, feeling really fit. And I know this sounds silly, but, like, I train really hard to be in really good shape as this season starts, just like the guys. So I feel like I’m in good shape. I feel like right now I feel better now than I felt, a lot of years, with an approach.
It is times you start having levels of like, you know, mental let downs a little bit like, oh my gosh, I’m tired or you know, boy, I’m sad... but they work so hard. It’s just extraordinary. And that’s uplifting for me and keeping me young. So I’m having fun" (Annese).
The Bulldogs begin their season against Pittsburgh State o August 28th.