Football

UNIVERSITYOF LA VERNEGOES WITH A PROVEN WINNER,
SELECTS ANDREW ANKENY AS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

The University of La Verne's intensive, nationwide search for a new head football coach ended successfully with the selection of Andrew Ankeny, a rising star who helped build a winning football program at East Texas Baptist University.

Ankeny, who spent seven seasons as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Tigers, becomes just the fourth head coach at La Verne since 1948. He succeeds Don Morel, who stepped down after 12 seasons at the helm of the Leopard program. Morel was preceded by Rex Huigens and Roland Ortmayer.

Ankeny will be introduced at a Welcome Reception at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, in the President's Dining Room in Davenport Hall on the ULV campus. Members of the media are welcome to attend.

"I am pleased and proud to announce Andrew Ankeny as our new head football coach at the University of La Verne," ULV Athletic Director Chris Ragsdale said.  "He has sound experience as a coordinator and has shown remarkable success in his recruiting efforts. The hiring of Coach Ankeny signifies a new era of Leopard football and affirms our commitment to provide our student-athletes and fans with a leader who is committed to excellence across the board."

Ankeny arrived on staff at East Texas Baptist in 2000 and worked with wide receivers during the Tigers' inaugural year of football that season.  He was promoted to assistant head coach and defensive coordinator in 2003 and helped the Tigers win their first American Southwest Conference championship that season. Under his direction, the ETBU defense finished as the top-ranked unit in the conference and was No. 15 in the nation. The Tigers were the seventh-best defensive unit against the run nationally in 2003, and ETBU set a team and conference record with 51 sacks on the year.

 "I'm very excited about the opportunity to be the next head football coach at the University of La Verne," Ankeny said.  "My family and I are looking forward to connecting with the community.  It is my desire for the football program to continue in the excellent athletic tradition that has been established at La Verne."  

A native of Homedale, Idaho, Ankeny began his coaching career at his alma mater, Taylor University, as a graduate assistant at the Upland, Ind., NAIA-affiliated institution following a playing career that saw him earn NAIA All-America honors as a defensive back at Taylor.

He earned his bachelor's degree at Taylor and then completed a master's degree in Athletic Administration from Ball State University just prior to his arrival at ETBU in the summer of 2000.

Andy and his wife, Kate, have two children: daughter Zane, and son Elijah.