Ron English, the Eastern Michigan head football coach who was fired last Friday for a profanity-laced tirade against his players, apologized for his language, which included a gay slur.
"As a man who has coached 21 years, obviously, on this occasion and particular meeting, I lost my poise, got upset and used language that was inappropriate, particularly as it pertains to homosexual slurs. I regret that," English told the AP in a telephone interview hours after the school released a statement explaining why he was fired. "I apologize to the university for putting it in this position and tarnishing its reputation. I look forward to continuing a career that has been marked by molding men of integrity, passion, and intensity for 21 years."
In a meeting with defensive backs that was recorded by one of his players, English lashed out at his players in a three-minute rant, saying they had quit during a previous game:
"I don't have f—– respect for you, bitches! I don't have respect for you little queer-ass bitch, because that's what you are," English said. "You went and got your ass kicked, quitter!"
English was 11-46 in his tenure and was 1-8 at the time of his firing. I suspect that had as much to do with his being let go as his language.
