Football
Els, Ross
Ross Els
- Title:
- Special Teams Coordinator
- Email:
- football@msu.edu
- Phone Number:
- 355-1647
With more than three decades of coaching experience, Ross Els is in his fourth season as the program's special teams coordinator. In addition, after coaching the linebackers his first two seasons in East Lansing, Els began assisting the nickelbacks in 2022.
Els coached the top punt coverage unit in the nation in 2022, as the Spartans ranked No. 1 in the FBS in net punting (45.5-yard average). For the second consecutive season, Bryce Baringer set a school record for punting average, leading the FBS at 49.0 yards per punt, which also ranked second best in Big Ten history and sixth best in FBS history. Baringer earned consensus All-America honors, was named the Big Ten Punter of the Year, and was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award en route to earning invitations to both the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. He was selected in the sixth round (No. 192 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.
Michigan State’s improvement on special teams and the play of the linebackers were two key reasons MSU had a school-record turnaround season in 2021 as the Spartans went 11-2, won the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl over No. 12 Pitt, and finished No. 8 (coaches) and No. 9 (AP) in the national polls.
Both of MSU’s primary starting linebackers in 2021 earned All-Big Ten recognition, as redshirt freshman Cal Haladay earned honorable mention accolades from the media and junior Quavaris Crouch picked up honorable mention from the coaches and media. Haladay also garnered Freshman All-America honors from the FWAA, The Athletic and the Maxwell Football Club after tying for the team lead and ranking tied for 11th in the Big Ten with 96 tackles. In addition, Haladay was named the Defensive MVP of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl following his 11-tackle performance in the victory over Pitt which also included a 78-yard interception return in the final minute that sealed the win for the Spartans. Crouch started in nine games and recorded 75 tackles; his 7.5 tackles per game average ranked tied for 10th in the league.
On special teams, Baringer set a then-school single-season record with his 48.4-yard punting average, which led the Big Ten and ranked fifth overall in the FBS. A second-team All-Big Ten selection, Baringer was added to the Ray Guy Award Watch List during the season and ranked second in the Big Ten with 26 punts of 50-plus yards. Overall, MSU ranked second in the league and 13th in the FBS in net punting (42.9 avg.).
Jayden Reed earned first-team All-America honors from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) as an all-purpose player thanks to a dynamic return game, as Reed led the Big Ten in punt returns (19.8 avg.; 12 returns for 238 yards) and tied for the FBS lead with two punt returns for touchdowns (62 yards vs. Nebraska, 88 yards vs. Western Kentucky). Reed also ranked fourth in the Big Ten in kick returns (23.5 avg.) and second in the Big Ten and 23rd in the FBS in combined returns (614 yards). He was selected the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week vs. Nebraska after his 62-yard punt return late in the fourth quarter tied the game in MSU’s eventual overtime victory against the Huskers. Reed was named one of five finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, which is given annually to the nation’s most versatile player. As a team, Michigan State led the Big Ten and ranked third in the FBS in punt returns (18.2 avg.).
Placekicker Matt Coghlin became the school’s all-time leader in field goals (76) and points (382) as he closed out his illustrious Spartan career in 2021. Coghlin earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors for going 2-for-2 on field goals in the win at Indiana on Oct. 16, including a 51-yarder.
During his first season in East Lansing in 2020, Els helped mentor Antjuan Simmons, who earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the media after leading the team in tackles for the second year in a row with 75 in just seven games. Simmons' 10.7 tackles per game ranked second best in the Big Ten Conference. He was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the win against No. 8 Northwestern on Nov. 28, recording 13 tackles and two TFLs in the victory over the Big Ten West Champion Wildcats.
A coaching veteran of more than 30 years, Els spent three seasons (2017-19) as the inside linebackers coach at Colorado before arriving to MSU. Els also added duties of special teams coordinator under Tucker in 2019 at CU.
Under Els' direction at CU, junior linebacker Nate Landman earned first-team All-Pac 12 honors after leading the Buffaloes and ranking fourth in the conference and 20th in the FBS with 104 total tackles. He also ranked second in the FBS with 83 solo stops. Landman became the first CU linebacker to earn first-team All-Pac 12 honors since the school joined the conference in 2011 and earned an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine in 2022. In addition, senior punter Alex Kinney garnered second-team all-league accolades after averaging 44.4 yards per punt.
Els, 57, has previous experience in the Big Ten, serving as the defensive coordinator at Purdue in 2016 and four seasons at Nebraska under Coach Bo Pelini from 2011-14. Els coached the linebackers during his four seasons in Lincoln and also spent three years as the special teams and recruiting coordinator. During his time at Nebraska, Els helped develop Lavonte David, the 2011 Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and a Butkus Award finalist. A second-round NFL Draft selection in 2012, David has been in the NFL for 11 seasons with the Buccaneers, earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2013, Pro Bowl recognition in 2015, and a Super Bowl ring in 2021 as the Buccaneers beat the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.
Nebraska was 37-16 in his four years on staff, including a trip to the 2012 Big Ten Championship Game and four bowl appearances: Capital One (2012 and 2013), Gator (2014) and Holiday (2014).
Prior to Nebraska, Els was the linebackers coach for six seasons (2005-10) at Ohio, working under Frank Solich. Els was named the Bobcats' special teams coordinator in 2007 and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2010. He coached four All-Mid-American Conference linebackers, in addition helping OU to two MAC East Division titles and three bowl appearances: 2006 GMAC, 2009 Little Caesars and 2010 New Orleans.
In 2010, Ohio's defense ranked 20th nationally and second in the MAC in rushing defense (123.1 ypg). Els' special teams were also a key part of Ohio's 8-5 season that culminated with a trip to the New Orleans Bowl. The Bobcats ranked first in the 14-team MAC in net punting, third in punt returns and fifth in kickoff returns. In 2009, he tutored linebacker Noah Keller, who led the MAC with 155 tackles en route to earning honorable mention All-America honors. He also coached punt returner LaVon Brazil to second-team All-America honors that season, while placekicker Matt Weller was named a Freshman All-American after kicking a school record 21 field goals.
Els coached in the FBS for the first time when he spent four years at New Mexico State, first tutoring the safeties and special teams for the 2001 and 2002 seasons, and then the linebackers along with a promotion to defensive coordinator in 2003 and 2004. He worked under Tony Samuel during his time in Las Cruces.
Els was the head coach at Hastings (Neb.) College from 1997-2000, where he was the quarterbacks coach in 1995 and the defensive coordinator and secondary coach in 1996. As Hastings' head coach, Els compiled a 32-9 record, including NAIA playoff appearances in 1998 and 1999.
A 1988 graduate of Nebraska-Omaha, Els majored in management information systems and lettered four years as a safety. He got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant at Northern Iowa in 1989, working with the linebackers and secondary, and earned his master's degree from UNI in physical education.
He then returned to his alma mater, UNO, for his first full-time position in the ranks, coaching the secondary for four seasons (1990-93).
Els was born on Aug. 14, 1965, in Lincoln, Nebraska, and graduated from Lincoln Northeast High, where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He is married to the former Jane Ketterer, and the couple has two daughters, Julie and Taylor, and a son, Bo.
THE ROSS ELS FILE
POSTSEASON COACHING EXPERIENCE: Eight bowl games (2006 GMAC, 2009 Little Caesars, 2010 New Orleans, 2012 Capital One, 2013 Capital One, 2014 Gator, 2014 Holiday, 2021 Peach).
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
Graduate assistant (defense) at Northern Iowa (1989)
Secondary coach at Nebraska-Omaha (1990-93)
Secondary coach at Northern Iowa (1994)
Quarterbacks coach at Hastings (Neb.) College (1995)
Defensive coordinator/secondary coach at Hastings College (1996)
Head coach at Hastings College (1997-2000)
Safeties/special teams coach at New Mexico State (2001-02)
Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at New Mexico State (2003-04)
Linebackers coach at Ohio (2005-06)
Linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Ohio (2007-09)
Assistant head coach/linebackers coach/special teams coordinator at Ohio (2010)
Linebackers coach at Nebraska (2011)
Linebackers coach/special teams coordinator/recruiting coordinator at Nebraska (2012-14)
Linebackers coach at Lincoln Southwest High School (2015)
Defensive coordinator/safeties coach at Purdue (2016)
Inside linebackers/special teams coach at Colorado (2017-19)
Special teams coordinator/linebackers coach at Michigan State (2020-)
Els coached the top punt coverage unit in the nation in 2022, as the Spartans ranked No. 1 in the FBS in net punting (45.5-yard average). For the second consecutive season, Bryce Baringer set a school record for punting average, leading the FBS at 49.0 yards per punt, which also ranked second best in Big Ten history and sixth best in FBS history. Baringer earned consensus All-America honors, was named the Big Ten Punter of the Year, and was a finalist for the Ray Guy Award en route to earning invitations to both the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. He was selected in the sixth round (No. 192 overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.
Michigan State’s improvement on special teams and the play of the linebackers were two key reasons MSU had a school-record turnaround season in 2021 as the Spartans went 11-2, won the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl over No. 12 Pitt, and finished No. 8 (coaches) and No. 9 (AP) in the national polls.
Both of MSU’s primary starting linebackers in 2021 earned All-Big Ten recognition, as redshirt freshman Cal Haladay earned honorable mention accolades from the media and junior Quavaris Crouch picked up honorable mention from the coaches and media. Haladay also garnered Freshman All-America honors from the FWAA, The Athletic and the Maxwell Football Club after tying for the team lead and ranking tied for 11th in the Big Ten with 96 tackles. In addition, Haladay was named the Defensive MVP of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl following his 11-tackle performance in the victory over Pitt which also included a 78-yard interception return in the final minute that sealed the win for the Spartans. Crouch started in nine games and recorded 75 tackles; his 7.5 tackles per game average ranked tied for 10th in the league.
On special teams, Baringer set a then-school single-season record with his 48.4-yard punting average, which led the Big Ten and ranked fifth overall in the FBS. A second-team All-Big Ten selection, Baringer was added to the Ray Guy Award Watch List during the season and ranked second in the Big Ten with 26 punts of 50-plus yards. Overall, MSU ranked second in the league and 13th in the FBS in net punting (42.9 avg.).
Jayden Reed earned first-team All-America honors from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) as an all-purpose player thanks to a dynamic return game, as Reed led the Big Ten in punt returns (19.8 avg.; 12 returns for 238 yards) and tied for the FBS lead with two punt returns for touchdowns (62 yards vs. Nebraska, 88 yards vs. Western Kentucky). Reed also ranked fourth in the Big Ten in kick returns (23.5 avg.) and second in the Big Ten and 23rd in the FBS in combined returns (614 yards). He was selected the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week vs. Nebraska after his 62-yard punt return late in the fourth quarter tied the game in MSU’s eventual overtime victory against the Huskers. Reed was named one of five finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, which is given annually to the nation’s most versatile player. As a team, Michigan State led the Big Ten and ranked third in the FBS in punt returns (18.2 avg.).
Placekicker Matt Coghlin became the school’s all-time leader in field goals (76) and points (382) as he closed out his illustrious Spartan career in 2021. Coghlin earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors for going 2-for-2 on field goals in the win at Indiana on Oct. 16, including a 51-yarder.
During his first season in East Lansing in 2020, Els helped mentor Antjuan Simmons, who earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the media after leading the team in tackles for the second year in a row with 75 in just seven games. Simmons' 10.7 tackles per game ranked second best in the Big Ten Conference. He was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the win against No. 8 Northwestern on Nov. 28, recording 13 tackles and two TFLs in the victory over the Big Ten West Champion Wildcats.
A coaching veteran of more than 30 years, Els spent three seasons (2017-19) as the inside linebackers coach at Colorado before arriving to MSU. Els also added duties of special teams coordinator under Tucker in 2019 at CU.
Under Els' direction at CU, junior linebacker Nate Landman earned first-team All-Pac 12 honors after leading the Buffaloes and ranking fourth in the conference and 20th in the FBS with 104 total tackles. He also ranked second in the FBS with 83 solo stops. Landman became the first CU linebacker to earn first-team All-Pac 12 honors since the school joined the conference in 2011 and earned an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine in 2022. In addition, senior punter Alex Kinney garnered second-team all-league accolades after averaging 44.4 yards per punt.
Els, 57, has previous experience in the Big Ten, serving as the defensive coordinator at Purdue in 2016 and four seasons at Nebraska under Coach Bo Pelini from 2011-14. Els coached the linebackers during his four seasons in Lincoln and also spent three years as the special teams and recruiting coordinator. During his time at Nebraska, Els helped develop Lavonte David, the 2011 Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and a Butkus Award finalist. A second-round NFL Draft selection in 2012, David has been in the NFL for 11 seasons with the Buccaneers, earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2013, Pro Bowl recognition in 2015, and a Super Bowl ring in 2021 as the Buccaneers beat the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV.
Nebraska was 37-16 in his four years on staff, including a trip to the 2012 Big Ten Championship Game and four bowl appearances: Capital One (2012 and 2013), Gator (2014) and Holiday (2014).
Prior to Nebraska, Els was the linebackers coach for six seasons (2005-10) at Ohio, working under Frank Solich. Els was named the Bobcats' special teams coordinator in 2007 and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2010. He coached four All-Mid-American Conference linebackers, in addition helping OU to two MAC East Division titles and three bowl appearances: 2006 GMAC, 2009 Little Caesars and 2010 New Orleans.
In 2010, Ohio's defense ranked 20th nationally and second in the MAC in rushing defense (123.1 ypg). Els' special teams were also a key part of Ohio's 8-5 season that culminated with a trip to the New Orleans Bowl. The Bobcats ranked first in the 14-team MAC in net punting, third in punt returns and fifth in kickoff returns. In 2009, he tutored linebacker Noah Keller, who led the MAC with 155 tackles en route to earning honorable mention All-America honors. He also coached punt returner LaVon Brazil to second-team All-America honors that season, while placekicker Matt Weller was named a Freshman All-American after kicking a school record 21 field goals.
Els coached in the FBS for the first time when he spent four years at New Mexico State, first tutoring the safeties and special teams for the 2001 and 2002 seasons, and then the linebackers along with a promotion to defensive coordinator in 2003 and 2004. He worked under Tony Samuel during his time in Las Cruces.
Els was the head coach at Hastings (Neb.) College from 1997-2000, where he was the quarterbacks coach in 1995 and the defensive coordinator and secondary coach in 1996. As Hastings' head coach, Els compiled a 32-9 record, including NAIA playoff appearances in 1998 and 1999.
A 1988 graduate of Nebraska-Omaha, Els majored in management information systems and lettered four years as a safety. He got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant at Northern Iowa in 1989, working with the linebackers and secondary, and earned his master's degree from UNI in physical education.
He then returned to his alma mater, UNO, for his first full-time position in the ranks, coaching the secondary for four seasons (1990-93).
Els was born on Aug. 14, 1965, in Lincoln, Nebraska, and graduated from Lincoln Northeast High, where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He is married to the former Jane Ketterer, and the couple has two daughters, Julie and Taylor, and a son, Bo.
THE ROSS ELS FILE
POSTSEASON COACHING EXPERIENCE: Eight bowl games (2006 GMAC, 2009 Little Caesars, 2010 New Orleans, 2012 Capital One, 2013 Capital One, 2014 Gator, 2014 Holiday, 2021 Peach).
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE:
Graduate assistant (defense) at Northern Iowa (1989)
Secondary coach at Nebraska-Omaha (1990-93)
Secondary coach at Northern Iowa (1994)
Quarterbacks coach at Hastings (Neb.) College (1995)
Defensive coordinator/secondary coach at Hastings College (1996)
Head coach at Hastings College (1997-2000)
Safeties/special teams coach at New Mexico State (2001-02)
Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach at New Mexico State (2003-04)
Linebackers coach at Ohio (2005-06)
Linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Ohio (2007-09)
Assistant head coach/linebackers coach/special teams coordinator at Ohio (2010)
Linebackers coach at Nebraska (2011)
Linebackers coach/special teams coordinator/recruiting coordinator at Nebraska (2012-14)
Linebackers coach at Lincoln Southwest High School (2015)
Defensive coordinator/safeties coach at Purdue (2016)
Inside linebackers/special teams coach at Colorado (2017-19)
Special teams coordinator/linebackers coach at Michigan State (2020-)
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