Ferris State coach suspended 8 days for shaking player, punching others

According to The Associated Press, Tony Annese, a football coach at Ferris State, has been suspended for actions reported by a “concerned individual” during halftime in a game between the Bulldogs and Michigan Tech on October 26th.  Annese is said to have shook one player and punched other players in the shoulder pads including one where Annese struck a player “were with a fist and were with great force.”  Athletic Director Perk Weisenberger has suspended Annese for what he called a “lack of understanding”.

In a memo written to Annese and the school’s administration, Weisenberger wrote the following:

“You did not express remorse for these actions, but rather tried to justify them.  There can be no serious dispute that your actions on October 26, 2013, were inappropriate.”

Weisenberger apparently has told Annese that if there was another incident along these lines, he would be fired.

In comments to the AP, Annese defended himself by saying , “My motives were purely intended to lift my team, get them excited to play a good second half.  By no means did I mean to hurt anyone.

“There was no confrontation whatsoever.”

Ferris State was able to come out and win the game in the second half, 30-27.  They finished the season 8-3.  Annese was suspended without pay and missed their victory on November 9th.