His words carry weight that would break a less interesting man’s jaw. He’s won trophies for his game face alone. He bowls overhand. He is the most interesting man at Ferris State University.
On Dec. 22, FSU Athletic Director Perk Weisenburger announced the appointment of Tony Annese as the new head football coach. According to Weisenburger, Annese had been selected from a field of 50 applicants which had resulted from a nationwide search. Coming off three successful seasons at Grand Rapids Community College, Annese is believed to be the man who will not only restore the winning tradition that once was Bulldog football but also take the program to the next level.
As much as I love FSU football and as much as I want them to succeed, I couldn’t help but be skeptical as I watched Annese’s first press conference. It was difficult to tell via Youtube if Annese had what it would take (and it would take a lot) to turn the football program around. I feared the task of restructuring the program’s entire culture might prove too overwhelming for the junior college coach.
It doesn’t appear that “overwhelmed” is even in Annese’s vocabulary. It appears that he genuinely welcomed the challenge that is FSU football. Since his hiring just two months ago, Annese has electrified the program and provided the necessary jumpstart to reawaken this team.
He’s woken the Bulldogs up both figuratively and literally. Annese’s grueling Monday-Thursday 6 a.m. conditioning workouts have gotten the players out of bed and back to competing. The players I’ve spoken with have been enamored with his passion and energy. It’s clear that Annese is taking the program places, and no one wants to be left behind.
“Everyone is fighting for a spot,” one football player said. “It’s totally changed the way everyone practices. No one is sitting back or just going through the motions. Even two-year and three-year starters are going as hard as they can all the time.”
One player called Annese a “G” [gangster] while another described him as a “hardass.” I’ve been told he couldn’t even stand to lose in a pick-up basketball game. Annese announced at the first team meeting that he’s never missed a day of practice—even when his child was born. Certainly he doesn’t always drink beer, but when he does, I’m willing to bet Tony Annese prefers Dos Equis.