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Enos Returns To MSU As QB Coach
Denise Popiolek
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Dan Enos, a four-year football letterman (1987-90) and
two-year starter (1989-90) at quarterback at Michigan State, returns to East
Lansing as the Spartan quarterback coach, fourth-year MSU head coach John L.
Smith announced Thursday, Feb. 9. Enos, a 15-year coaching veteran, replaces
Doug Nussmeier, who resigned Feb. 6 to accept a similar position with the
National Football League's St. Louis Rams.
The 37-year-old Enos comes to Michigan State following two years as the
quarterbacks coach at Cincinnati (2004-05) where he worked under former
Spartan assistant coach Mark Dantonio (1995-2000).
"All of us on the coaching staff were well aware of Dan Enos' background,"
Coach Smith said. "Dan is a good fit because of his background; he grew up
in the state and played here at Michigan State. However, those factors had
little or nothing to do with him being hired. The bottom line is that Dan
sold himself during the interview process.
"During the interview, we discussed his coaching philosophy and talked about
his teaching techniques. After the interview concluded, everyone on the
offensive staff felt comfortable with Dan, and chemistry is important in
this profession. We're fortunate to add Dan to the coaching staff."
"I'm excited about the opportunity to return to Michigan State," Enos said.
"This has been a dream and a goal of mine since I broke into the coaching
profession as a graduate assistant in 1991. I'm glad to be back on the MSU
"There are so many positives about this position. First, John L. Smith has a
proven track record and his offenses have been consistently explosive.
Second, many people at Cincinnati spoke very highly of (offensive
coordinator) Dave Baldwin, who spent the 2001 season on the Bearcats'
coaching staff. Third, I'm excited about having the opportunity to coach one
of the nation's premier quarterbacks in Drew Stanton.
"While on the coaching staff at Western Michigan, I got to know Drew and his
family during the recruiting process. He's an outstanding player and a great
competitor. I also admire his toughness. Drew has all of the intangibles, so
I look forward to working with him and helping him experience a special
senior year."
In 2005, his pupil Dustin Grutza became the first freshman quarterback to
start a Cincinnati season opener (vs. Eastern Michigan) since World War II.
Grutza, a red-shirt freshman, finished fourth in the BIG EAST Conference in
total offense, averaging 165.0 yards per game.
In 2004, Enos helped hone the talents of Gino Guidugli, who closed out his
career as Cincinnati's all-time passing leader with 11,222 yards. As a
senior, Guidugli completed 210-of-342 throws (.614) for 2,633 yards and a
school-record 26 touchdowns while leading the Bearcats to a 7-5 record,
including a 32-14 victory over Marshall in the Fort Worth Bowl. Guidugli
ranked fifth in Conference USA and No. 15 in the NCAA in passing efficiency
with his 146.5 rating.
Enos spent the 2003 season as offensive coordinator under Craig Bohl at NCAA
Division II North Dakota State, where he designed an offensive attack that
averaged 30.1 points per game en route to an 8-3 record. Tony Stauss hit
220-of-325 passes (.677) for 2,134 yards and 15 TDs. His 2,134 passing yards
represent the second-highest single-season total in Bison history.
Prior to his appointment at North Dakota State, he worked for three years as
the quarterbacks coach at Western Michigan (2000-02) under Gary Darnell. In
2002, the Broncos finished fifth in the Mid-American Conference and No. 30
nationally in passing offense, averaging 256.1 yards per game. In 2001,
Western Michigan ranked third in the MAC and No. 30 in the NCAA in passing
offense (257.8 ypg.). In 2000, the Broncos averaged 400.6 total yards and
29.9 points per game while posting a 9-3 record, including the MAC West
Division crown. In addition, quarterback Jeff Welsh ranked fourth in the
league in passing (211.4 ypg.) and total offense (212.8 ypg.).
During his tenure at Western Michigan, Enos worked with current Spartan
secondary coach Chuck Driesbach (2000 season).
In 1999, Enos served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at
Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State) under Randy Ball. The Bears
ranked among the NCAA I-AA leaders in passing offense (No. 22 at 258.8
ypg.), scoring offense (No. 23 at 33.9 ppg.) and total offense (No. 30 at
417.8 ypg.). Quarterback Jay Rodgers finished among the national leaders in
passing efficiency (No. 9 with a 150.1 rating) and total offense (No. 20 at
251.6 ypg.). In addition, Rodgers set school single-season records for
completion percentage (.632), passing yards (2,741), TD passes (24) and
total yards (2,768). Rodgers had three 300-yard passing games in 1999,
including 395 yards vs. Southern Illinois - the second-best single-game
total in Bear history.
His full-time coaching credits also include stops at Southern Illinois
(quarterbacks and wide receivers, 1997-98), Northern Michigan (offensive
coordinator/backfield, 1996) and Lakeland College (offensive coordinator/
quarterbacks and wide receivers, 1994-95). He began his coaching career as a
graduate assistant for George Perles at Michigan State (1991-93).
Enos compiled a 16-7-1 record (.688) as a two-year starter for Coach Perles,
including back-to-back bowl victories (defeated Hawaii, 33-13, in the 1989
Aloha Bowl and defeated Southern Cal, 17-16, in the 1990 John Hancock Bowl).
As a senior, he threw for 1,677 yards and four TDs while helping the
Spartans earn a share of the 1990 Big Ten championship. Enos still ranks
among MSU's all-time Top 10 in pass attempts (No. 10 at 478), pass
completions (No. 10 at 297), completion percentage (No. 3 at .621), passing
yards (No. 10 at 3,837) and total yards (No. 8 at 4,301).
Enos earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Michigan
State in 1991.
A native of Dearborn, Mich., Enos earned all-state honors as a senior for
Coach Jack Bridges at Edsel Ford High School. He accounted for 5,743 total
yards and 46 TDs during his prep career.
Enos and his wife Jane have two children: Idalia and Alex.
Courtesy of MSU
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