TicketsOffensive line coach Ron Crook joined the University of Cincinnati staff in January 2017.
The 27-year veteran of the coaching ranks starts his second stint with the Bearcats after serving as a graduate assistant working with the offensive line in 1993. He has mentored offensive linemen from coast-to-coast, with stops at West Virginia, Stanford, Harvard, Illinois, West Liberty State, Glenville State, Clarion and West Virginia Tech.
Crook has coached 38 all-conference players, nine All-Americans, nine NFL players, spent five years as a special teams coordinator and three coaching tight ends, has been part of 10 championship-winning teams, worked with a pair of teams that made the NCAA Division II playoffs and was with the Bearcats for a 2021 season that got them into the College Football Playoff.
In 2021, he coached a group of offensive linemen that had three All-AAC First Team members in Dylan O'Quinn, Jake Renfro and Lorenz Metz. The Bearcats had one of the best offensive line rooms in the nation and helped lead a Cincinnati offense that broke single-season school records in touchdowns scored (70) and points scored (510) through 13 games.
As a group, the offensive line paved the way for an offense that averaged 6.93 yards per play in 2021, which ranked sixth nationally. The Bearcats also led the AAC in yards per rush (5.4). They allowed only 1.54 sacks per game, which ranked second in the conference.
More impressively, the Bearcats ranked second in nation in tackles for loss allowed with only 3.23 per games (42 total). Temple was the AAC's next-highest ranked team (61).
Running back Jerome Ford also exploded for a monster year in 2021 behind this line, rushing for 1,242 yards and 19 touchdowns while averaging 6.2 yards per carry through 13 games.
He came to UC after spending four seasons coaching the offensive line at WVU. During his time with the Mountaineers, Crook coached six All-Big 12 players and three NFL players.
West Virginia (10-3) finished the 2016 season with its ninth 10-win season in school history and had a 7-2 mark in Big 12 Conference action, tying for second place.
Senior center Tyler Orlosky was named to the Senior CLASS All-America First Team, the first such award winner in WVU history. Orlosky, who also was named to the Associated Press, Football Writers’ Association, USA Today, CBSSports.com, SBNation, Athlon Sports and SI.com All-American teams, played in 50 career games and started 42 for the Mountaineers, all at center. He is a two-time team captain, one of three finalists for the 2016 Rimington Trophy and was a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 selection. He was a three-time Academic All-Big 12 selection.
The Mountaineers’ offense was ranked No. 12 nationally in first down offense, No. 18 in total offense, No. 25 in rushing offense, No. 36 in passing yards per completion and No. 43 in passing offense.
In 2015, WVU’s offense was No. 17 nationally in rushing offense, No. 18 in first down offense and No. 23 in total offense while averaging 228.2 yards per game rushing, No. 2 in the Big 12. Orlosky earned Second-Team All-Big 12 honors.
In 2014, WVU offense was ranked No. 9 nationally in passing offense, No. 11 in first-down offense, No. 12 in total offense and No. 34 in scoring offense. Mark Glowinski and Quinton Spain were named Second-Team All-Big 12 and Glowinski was a fourth-round NFL Draft choice of Seattle Seahawks
In 2013, Spain was selected Second-Team All-Big 12 and tackle Curtis Feigt was All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
While at Stanford, he helped lead the Cardinal to a two-year record of 23-4, the 2012 Pac-12 Conference Championship and an appearance in two straight BCS Bowls, including a 20-14 win over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 2013.
Crook was key in the development of unanimous All-American tight end and two-time Mackey Award Finalist Zach Ertz, who ranked first in 2012 among FBS tight ends with 837 receiving yards and 66 receptions (both marks are Stanford single-season tight end records).
Ertz and Levine Toilolo were named to the Mackey Award Midseason Watch List, the only pair of teammates in the nation to receive that distinction. Either Ertz or Toilolo led Stanford in receiving in 10-of-13 games in 2012
In 2011, Stanford's tight end trio of Coby Fleener, Ertz and Toilolo were widely considered the best unit in the nation, as the three players combined to catch 86 passes for 1,356 yards and 20 touchdowns. The trio accounted for more than half of Stanford's touchdown receptions (38) during an 11-2 campaign. Fleener, who led the Cardinal with 10 touchdown grabs, was named a Sporting News All-American in addition to earning first team all-conference honors, while Toilolo was an honorable mention all-conference selection. Fleener was drafted in the second round by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, finishing with 26 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns.
Prior to his arrival at Stanford, Crook spent eight seasons (2003-10) as offensive line coach at Harvard. The Crimson’s offensive line helped pave the way for Clifton Dawson (2003-06) to set the Ivy League's all-time career rushing record with 4,841 yards, breaking the former mark held by Cornell's Ed Marinaro. Eight of Crook's players earned first team All-Ivy honors a combined 11 times, including tackle James Williams, who was a three-time All-America and first team All-Ivy selection.
In 2009, four of Harvard's linemen earned all-league honors while Treavor Scales was named the Ivy League's Rookie of the Year. In addition, Crook tutored Frank Fernandez, who was selected to play in the 2007 Hula Bowl.
Prior to his appointment at Harvard, Crook served on the coaching staff at Illinois from 2002, where he assisted with the offensive line. He worked closely with All-Big Ten players Dave Diehl and 2001 All-America Tony Pashos, who were both selected in the 2003 NFL Draft.
As a graduate assistant coach at Cincinnati in 1993, Crook helped the Bearcats to an 8-3 finish.
Crook also served as the offensive line coach and offensive coordinator at West Liberty State, helping the Hilltoppers to the 2000 WVIAC title. A decade earlier, Crook broke into the collegiate coaching ranks at West Liberty, where he served as a student assistant, working primarily with the tight ends. He also served as the offensive line coach for three seasons (1990-92).
Crook was part of coaching staffs at West Virginia Tech (1999), Glenville State (1997-98) and Clarion College (1994-96). He was part of NCAA Division II playoff teams at Glenville State and Clarion.
After his playing days ended at West Liberty State, he served as the Hilltoppers’ offensive line coach for three seasons. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from WLU in 1991.
Crook and his wife, Stacy have three children - Andrew, Cian and Kenley.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Born: July 1, 1968
Hometown: Parkersburg, W.Va.
Wife: Stacy
Children: Andrew, Cian, Kenley
Education: West Liberty State (1991, B.S.)
Year in Coaching: 32nd
PLAYING CAREER
1986-88: West Liberty (Offensive Line)
COACHING CAREER
YEAR: SCHOOL - POSITION
1989: West Liberty State - Student Assistant/Tight Ends
1990-92: West Liberty State - Offensive Line
1993: Cincinnati - Graduate Assistant/Offensive Line
1994-95: Clarion - Offensive Line
1996: Clarion - Offensive Line/Special Teams Coordinator
1997-98: Glenville State - Assistant Head Coach/OL/Special Teams Coordinator
1999: West Virginia Tech - Offensive Line/Special Teams Coordinator
2000: West Liberty State - Offensive Line
2001: West Liberty State - Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
2002: Illinois - Graduate Assistant/Offensive Line
2003-10: Harvard - Offensive Line
2011-12: Stanford - Tight Ends/Tackles
2013-16: West Virginia - Offensive Line
2017-: Cincinnati - Offensive Line
BOWLS COACHED IN
YEAR: SCHOOL - BOWL
2011: Stanford - Fiesta
2012: Stanford - Rose
2014: West Virginia - Liberty
2015: West Virginia - Cactus
2016: West Virginia - Russell Athletic
2018: Cincinnati - Military
2019: Cincinnati - Birmingham
2020: Cincinnati - Peach
2021: Cincinnati - Cotton (CFP Semifinal)
The 27-year veteran of the coaching ranks starts his second stint with the Bearcats after serving as a graduate assistant working with the offensive line in 1993. He has mentored offensive linemen from coast-to-coast, with stops at West Virginia, Stanford, Harvard, Illinois, West Liberty State, Glenville State, Clarion and West Virginia Tech.
Crook has coached 38 all-conference players, nine All-Americans, nine NFL players, spent five years as a special teams coordinator and three coaching tight ends, has been part of 10 championship-winning teams, worked with a pair of teams that made the NCAA Division II playoffs and was with the Bearcats for a 2021 season that got them into the College Football Playoff.
In 2021, he coached a group of offensive linemen that had three All-AAC First Team members in Dylan O'Quinn, Jake Renfro and Lorenz Metz. The Bearcats had one of the best offensive line rooms in the nation and helped lead a Cincinnati offense that broke single-season school records in touchdowns scored (70) and points scored (510) through 13 games.
As a group, the offensive line paved the way for an offense that averaged 6.93 yards per play in 2021, which ranked sixth nationally. The Bearcats also led the AAC in yards per rush (5.4). They allowed only 1.54 sacks per game, which ranked second in the conference.
More impressively, the Bearcats ranked second in nation in tackles for loss allowed with only 3.23 per games (42 total). Temple was the AAC's next-highest ranked team (61).
Running back Jerome Ford also exploded for a monster year in 2021 behind this line, rushing for 1,242 yards and 19 touchdowns while averaging 6.2 yards per carry through 13 games.
He came to UC after spending four seasons coaching the offensive line at WVU. During his time with the Mountaineers, Crook coached six All-Big 12 players and three NFL players.
West Virginia (10-3) finished the 2016 season with its ninth 10-win season in school history and had a 7-2 mark in Big 12 Conference action, tying for second place.
Senior center Tyler Orlosky was named to the Senior CLASS All-America First Team, the first such award winner in WVU history. Orlosky, who also was named to the Associated Press, Football Writers’ Association, USA Today, CBSSports.com, SBNation, Athlon Sports and SI.com All-American teams, played in 50 career games and started 42 for the Mountaineers, all at center. He is a two-time team captain, one of three finalists for the 2016 Rimington Trophy and was a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 selection. He was a three-time Academic All-Big 12 selection.
The Mountaineers’ offense was ranked No. 12 nationally in first down offense, No. 18 in total offense, No. 25 in rushing offense, No. 36 in passing yards per completion and No. 43 in passing offense.
In 2015, WVU’s offense was No. 17 nationally in rushing offense, No. 18 in first down offense and No. 23 in total offense while averaging 228.2 yards per game rushing, No. 2 in the Big 12. Orlosky earned Second-Team All-Big 12 honors.
In 2014, WVU offense was ranked No. 9 nationally in passing offense, No. 11 in first-down offense, No. 12 in total offense and No. 34 in scoring offense. Mark Glowinski and Quinton Spain were named Second-Team All-Big 12 and Glowinski was a fourth-round NFL Draft choice of Seattle Seahawks
In 2013, Spain was selected Second-Team All-Big 12 and tackle Curtis Feigt was All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
While at Stanford, he helped lead the Cardinal to a two-year record of 23-4, the 2012 Pac-12 Conference Championship and an appearance in two straight BCS Bowls, including a 20-14 win over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1, 2013.
Crook was key in the development of unanimous All-American tight end and two-time Mackey Award Finalist Zach Ertz, who ranked first in 2012 among FBS tight ends with 837 receiving yards and 66 receptions (both marks are Stanford single-season tight end records).
Ertz and Levine Toilolo were named to the Mackey Award Midseason Watch List, the only pair of teammates in the nation to receive that distinction. Either Ertz or Toilolo led Stanford in receiving in 10-of-13 games in 2012
In 2011, Stanford's tight end trio of Coby Fleener, Ertz and Toilolo were widely considered the best unit in the nation, as the three players combined to catch 86 passes for 1,356 yards and 20 touchdowns. The trio accounted for more than half of Stanford's touchdown receptions (38) during an 11-2 campaign. Fleener, who led the Cardinal with 10 touchdown grabs, was named a Sporting News All-American in addition to earning first team all-conference honors, while Toilolo was an honorable mention all-conference selection. Fleener was drafted in the second round by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, finishing with 26 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns.
Prior to his arrival at Stanford, Crook spent eight seasons (2003-10) as offensive line coach at Harvard. The Crimson’s offensive line helped pave the way for Clifton Dawson (2003-06) to set the Ivy League's all-time career rushing record with 4,841 yards, breaking the former mark held by Cornell's Ed Marinaro. Eight of Crook's players earned first team All-Ivy honors a combined 11 times, including tackle James Williams, who was a three-time All-America and first team All-Ivy selection.
In 2009, four of Harvard's linemen earned all-league honors while Treavor Scales was named the Ivy League's Rookie of the Year. In addition, Crook tutored Frank Fernandez, who was selected to play in the 2007 Hula Bowl.
Prior to his appointment at Harvard, Crook served on the coaching staff at Illinois from 2002, where he assisted with the offensive line. He worked closely with All-Big Ten players Dave Diehl and 2001 All-America Tony Pashos, who were both selected in the 2003 NFL Draft.
As a graduate assistant coach at Cincinnati in 1993, Crook helped the Bearcats to an 8-3 finish.
Crook also served as the offensive line coach and offensive coordinator at West Liberty State, helping the Hilltoppers to the 2000 WVIAC title. A decade earlier, Crook broke into the collegiate coaching ranks at West Liberty, where he served as a student assistant, working primarily with the tight ends. He also served as the offensive line coach for three seasons (1990-92).
Crook was part of coaching staffs at West Virginia Tech (1999), Glenville State (1997-98) and Clarion College (1994-96). He was part of NCAA Division II playoff teams at Glenville State and Clarion.
After his playing days ended at West Liberty State, he served as the Hilltoppers’ offensive line coach for three seasons. He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from WLU in 1991.
Crook and his wife, Stacy have three children - Andrew, Cian and Kenley.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Born: July 1, 1968
Hometown: Parkersburg, W.Va.
Wife: Stacy
Children: Andrew, Cian, Kenley
Education: West Liberty State (1991, B.S.)
Year in Coaching: 32nd
PLAYING CAREER
1986-88: West Liberty (Offensive Line)
COACHING CAREER
YEAR: SCHOOL - POSITION
1989: West Liberty State - Student Assistant/Tight Ends
1990-92: West Liberty State - Offensive Line
1993: Cincinnati - Graduate Assistant/Offensive Line
1994-95: Clarion - Offensive Line
1996: Clarion - Offensive Line/Special Teams Coordinator
1997-98: Glenville State - Assistant Head Coach/OL/Special Teams Coordinator
1999: West Virginia Tech - Offensive Line/Special Teams Coordinator
2000: West Liberty State - Offensive Line
2001: West Liberty State - Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
2002: Illinois - Graduate Assistant/Offensive Line
2003-10: Harvard - Offensive Line
2011-12: Stanford - Tight Ends/Tackles
2013-16: West Virginia - Offensive Line
2017-: Cincinnati - Offensive Line
BOWLS COACHED IN
YEAR: SCHOOL - BOWL
2011: Stanford - Fiesta
2012: Stanford - Rose
2014: West Virginia - Liberty
2015: West Virginia - Cactus
2016: West Virginia - Russell Athletic
2018: Cincinnati - Military
2019: Cincinnati - Birmingham
2020: Cincinnati - Peach
2021: Cincinnati - Cotton (CFP Semifinal)