Northwestern University Athletics
Jeff Genyk Named Head Football Coach at Eastern Michigan
12/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 1, 2003
YPSILANTI, Mich. -- Jeff Genyk, an assistant football coach at Northwestern University for the past 10 seasons, has been named head football coach at Eastern Michigan University, Athletics Director Dave Diles announced today, Dec. 1.
"When we were setting up the profile for our new head football coach we wanted someone with deep Michigan roots, someone who understood the Mid-American Conference, and someone that had a highly competitive personality," Diles said of the search process. "After interviewing several outstanding candidates, we felt that Jeff Genyk was the one that met or exceeded all of our expectations. Everyone that has worked with Jeff said that he was a relentless recruiter and extremely hard worker in all phases of the football program, and that tireless determination was something that we felt we needed for our football program.
"Our previous staff did a nice job in building the foundation for a solid program but we needed to have a new positive attitude instilled in the team and we have confidence that Jeff Genyk is the answer," Diles added. "Jeff has a tremendous background in the southeastern Michigan area and will give us a huge boost in the recruiting process in the state. As the son of a former coach, Jeff knows what it takes to build a multifaceted football program."
"The Eastern Michigan University football job is extra special to me because it is an opportunity to come home and be a Division I-A head coach," Genyk said. "I was born in Ann Arbor and grew up in Milan and still have a large support system in the area. I spent 10 years in the business world, and 12 years as a football coach preparing for this opportunity. Everyone I met during the interview process had a passion and desire to have a successful program here at Eastern Michigan University and they are really ready to win."
Genyk (JEN-ick) has spent the last 12 years at Northwestern working for the football program. He has been the running backs coach, recruiting coordinator, and one of the special teams coaches under Head Coach Randy Walker for the past five seasons (1999-2003). In 1998 he was the secondary coach, coaching the safeties, and was also one of the special teams coaches. In 1997 was the linebackers coach, and one of the special teams coaches as well. In December of 1996, prior to the Wildcats' appearance in the Comp USA Florida Citrus Bowl, Genyk was elevated to inside linebackers coach. Before the 1997 season, he made the switch to outside linebackers coach. During the 1994, 1995, and 1996 seasons, he was the director of football operations under then-Head Coach Gary Barnett. He first joined the Northwestern staff as a graduate assistant coach for the 1992 and 1993 seasons.
During his tenure as the running backs coach, Genyk helped coach tailback Damien Anderson to a school-record 2,063 yards in the 2000 season. He also saw another one of his running backs, Jason Wright, reach the 1,000-yard rushing mark in both 2002 and 2003 with 1,234 and 1,151 yards respectively. Anderson went on to earn All-American honors in 2000 while Wright was an Academic All-American in 2002 and 2003.
Genyk has been part of three Big Ten championship teams, and four postseason bowl games at Northwestern. The 1995, 1996, and 2000 teams all won Big Ten titles. The 1995 squad played in the Rose Bowl, the 1996 team was in the Comp USA Florida Citrus Bowl, the 2000 team played in the Alamo Bowl, and the 2003 squad has qualified for a postseason bowl berth, most likely the Motor City Bowl.
The 43-year-old Genyk (8-22-60) is a native of Ann Arbor, Michigan and grew up in Milan, Mich. where he was an all-state quarterback. He went on to Bowling Green State University and played quarterback for the Falcons from 1978-81 before completing his bachelor's degree in 1982 in business administration. Genyk has two master's degree, an MBA from Western Michigan in 1989, and a master's in education from Northwestern in 1994.
Genyk joined the Northwestern football staff in 1992 after serving as an assistant coach at Grand Rapids (Mich.) Community College from Dec. 1990 to the spring of 1992 where he tutored the quarterbacks and wide receivers. Prior to joining the coaching ranks, he worked in private business from 1982-91.
Genyk's father, George Genyk, has been a longtime coach in the state of Michigan, serving as a high school head football coach for 30 years, and is currently an assistant coach at Grand Rapids Community College.
Genyk and his wife, Lisa, have two children: Son, Jake (4-10-00), and daughter, McKenna (4-21-03).
THE Jeff Genyk FILE
Name: Jeff Genyk
Born: August 22, 1960; Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan
High School: Milan High School (Graduated in 1978)
College: Bowling Green State University, Bachelor's degree, 1982
Western Michigan University, Master's Business Administration, 1989
Northwestern University, Master's Education, 1994
Family: Wife: Lisa; Two children: Son, Jake (4-10-00), and daughter,
McKenna (4-21-03)
