Ripon's final season under Ron Ernst started with a win against its big rival and the Redhawks are sitting at 2-0. Photo by Doug Sasse, d3photography.com

By Brian Lester
D3sports.com

Ron Ernst took the head coaching job at Ripon three decades ago unsure of what the future held. Maybe he’d last five years. Perhaps 10. Or even longer if he was lucky. All he could do was hope for the best.

“I was hoping it would be a long-term career here, but you just never know,” Ernst said. “It comes down to recruiting, it comes down to success and it comes down to being able to do the things that are expected to be done and having the successful years that you want to have.”

Thirty-two years later, Ernst is in his final season with the Red Hawks and the uncertainty has long since faded. Success hasn’t been an issue.

He has 186 wins, earning him the distinction of being not only the winningest coach in program history, but the winningest coach in Midwest Conference history as well. The Red Hawks have won three MWC North Division titles and two league championships, accomplishments that highlight the 26 winning seasons Ripon has enjoyed under Ernst’s guidance.

More winning appears to be in store for Ernst this season, a season that doubles as his farewell tour in college football.

Ripon is off to a 2-0 start, and along the way, Ernst has received more than his fair share of well-wishes.

“Oh yeah, I’ve heard from coaching friends and buddies all over the country. Everyone has been super,” Ernst said. “I’ve heard from officials who have done games we’ve played in. It’s been very humbling. It’s been nice to hear people say nice things about you. I appreciate them.”

Even former players have reached out to wish Ernst the best.

“I got an email the other day from a player that played for me 30 years ago,” Ernst said. “He had some really nice things to say. Hearing from players makes you feel good. You hope you’ve touched their lives.”

Running back Cormac Madigan, coming off the 13th 100-yard game of his career, has seen up close how his coach has been an important part of the lives of his players.

“He’s fantastic at building relationships," Madigan said. He’s always asking how your family is and things like that. The relationships matter to him and you see that even with the alumni that come back.”

Ernst’s current team is one he has been as tight as ever with and is enjoying coaching a group of players that have fun but also know when it’s time to be locked in. 

“We’ve got some kids of character on this team and some characters,” Ernst said with a laugh. “They are a fun group. I don’t always have to be serious with them. We can joke around, but they know when to turn it on and off.”

Ripon opened the year with a 13-10 win over rival St. Norbert and followed that up by rolling past Knox 33-6 in its conference opener last week.

The win over the Green Knights was a big deal to Ernst.

“It was huge,” Ernst said. “They have a great program. Our kids played well. We made plays down at the end when we needed to. That was great to see.”

This was a team he had high expectations for when the season began. The only concern was depth.

“This is a great group of kids. A tremendous group of young men,” Ernst said. “They have great personalities and I’d trust them with any possession of mine. They work hard and they are tough, and that’s a great combination to have with a football team.”

Not to mention Ripon has no shortage of talent.

Madigan leads the rushing attack with 198 yards and two scores. He’s also caught five passes for 97 yards.

Quarterback Jarrett Zibert has thrown for 325 yards and three scores, with his top target being Kalpo Magsayo, who has caught seven passes for 76 yards and three touchdowns.

“Our offense is playing well," Ernst said. "We’ve shown flashes of brilliance. We know the ability to do big things is there. We just need to develop more consistency.

Madigan agrees.

“We have to be able to settle in more. We need to keep our foot on the gas pedal throughout the game,” Madigan said.

From the defensive side of things, Ripon has allowed just 445 yards in all in its first two outings.

Damean Netzler is one of four players with at least 10 tackles, paving the way with 19. 

“Defensively we are playing quite a bit better than I thought we might,” Ernst said. “Our kids are playing at a very high level.”

Enst loves seeing it, especially with this being his final go-round. There were times in his career when he could have left for another job. He had offers. But he had his reasons for sticking around. He’s thankful he did.

“My wife and I have three sons, and they were in an important part of their lives at the time (of the offers). Plus, I love it here,” Ernst said. “My wife has a great career as an elementary school teacher and I have tremendous support from the administration. Why mess with that? I'm happy. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.”

The run isn’t over yet. Ripon is poised to be in the mix for a conference crown, though Ernst and his players understand the road doesn’t get any easier from here.

“The focus is on being 1-0 every week,” Madigan said. “Coach always preaches that. We have bigger goals in the back of our minds, but all we can do is prepare for the week in front of us.”

Not only is Madigan excited about this team’s potential, but he likes the fact that he gets to be a part of Ernst’s final season. 

“It feeds into the motivation,” Madigan said. “We want to help him go out with a conference championship.”

Whether that happens remains to be seen. What is for certain is that the coach, who was inspired by his high school coach to get into this business, knows that at some point, the road ends and the next chapter of his life begins.

Until then, he’s pouring his attention into the present.

“I know it’s going to hit me eventually, but right now I’m focused on Cornell, our next opponent,” Ernst said. “I’ll wake up one morning and all of a sudden it will be the 10th game of the year. That’s going to hit me. Right now, I’m focused on the season and l would like to keep it going for as long as possible.”