What Is 2013 Eastern Michigan Eagles football

Overview

The 2013 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team represented Eastern Michigan University during the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) West Division, the team struggled to find consistency under shifting leadership.

Despite flashes of offensive potential, the Eagles finished with a 2–10 overall record and 1–7 in conference play. The season was marked by a mid-season coaching change and difficulties in both scoring and defense.

• Record: The team finished 2–10 overall and 1–7 in MAC play, placing fifth in the West Division.
• Head Coach: Ron English began the season as head coach but was fired on September 16 after a 1–3 start.
• Interim Leadership: Offensive coordinator Stan Parrish took over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
• Home Stadium: The Eagles played home games at Rynearson Stadium, which has a capacity of 30,200 in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
• Scoring: The team scored 222 total points across 12 games, averaging 18.5 points per game, ranking near the bottom nationally.

How It Works

The 2013 season structure followed standard NCAA Division I FBS rules, with a 12-game regular season schedule and conference standings determining bowl eligibility and championship participation.

• Season Start: The Eagles opened the season on August 29, 2013, with a 31–20 loss to Howard, a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) team.
• Coaching Change: After a 1–3 start, Ron English was dismissed; he finished his EMU tenure with a 11–35 record over four seasons.
• Interim Appointment:Stan Parrish, previously offensive coordinator, led the team for nine games but won only once.
• Offensive Performance: Quarterback Justin Thompson started most games, throwing for 1,527 yards and 10 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.
• Defensive Struggles: The defense allowed 35.8 points per game, ranking 122nd out of 125 FBS teams in points allowed.
• Final Game: The season ended with a 48–21 loss to Toledo on November 30, marking their ninth consecutive defeat.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2013 Eastern Michigan Eagles compared to other MAC West teams:

Eastern Michigan ranked near the bottom in the MAC West, outperformed only by Western Michigan in overall record. Their defense allowed 430 points, the second-highest in the division, and they failed to qualify for a bowl game. The team showed slight improvement over 2012’s 2–10 record but remained among the conference’s weakest programs.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a turning point for Eastern Michigan football, highlighting systemic issues that prompted administrative changes and a reevaluation of program direction.

• Program Rebuild: The poor performance accelerated the search for a new head coach, leading to the hiring of Chris Creighton in December 2013.
• Recruiting Impact: The losing record made recruiting more difficult, especially against stronger MAC programs.
• Stadium Challenges: Low attendance at Rynearson Stadium reflected dwindling fan interest, with averages below 10,000 per game.
• Conference Standing: The 1–7 MAC record reinforced EMU’s status as a bottom-tier team in the conference.
• Financial Pressure: Continued losses increased scrutiny on athletic department spending and football program sustainability.
• Historical Context: The 2013 season was part of a 15-year stretch where EMU had only one winning season (2004).

The 2013 campaign underscored the need for long-term strategic change, which eventually led to improved performance in later years under new leadership.