Michigan State analyst named Utah State running backs coach
East Lansing, Mich. – Utah State has named former Michigan State offensive analyst Rodney Freeman II as its new running backs coach, the school announced Thursday, April 6. Freeman joined the Spartans’ staff prior to the 2022 season, working closely with Michigan State running backs coach Effrem Reed.
Freeman spent the spring of 2022 at Colorado Mesa, where he held the title of offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach. Previously, Freeman was the offensive coordinator at Houston (TX) Klein Forest for two seasons (2020-21).
The Spartans will look to fill the off-field coaching vacancy left by Freeman’s departure. One candidate to keep an eye on is former Michigan State running back Javon Ringer. Sources tell SpartanMag.com that Ringer has joined the program in some capacity this spring. His role has not yet been made public.
Ringer was a standout tailback for the Spartans, having signed with John L. Smith in 2005, earning honorable mention Freshman All-America honors in 2005, and then continuing to flourish under Mark Dantonio.
Ringer was named First Team All-Big Ten and Associated Press First-Team All-America in 2008. The Dayton, Ohio native also received Second Team All-Big Ten honors in 2007. Following his career at Michigan State, Ringer was drafted in the 5th round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans.
Following a four-year NFL career cut short by injuries, Ringer joined the Michigan State support staff as a recruiting intern in 2016. Ringer was hired by Toledo the following year as a quality control coach, working primarily with running backs. The former Spartan then served as Toledo’s assistant director of football operations in 2018 and remained on staff through 2020.
Freeman, who began his collegiate playing career at Stephen F. Austin, played his final two seasons at Abilene Christian graduating in 2009. The former wide receiver started his coaching career at the high school level working with Houston (TX) Lutheran North as co-offensive coordinator during their 2011 campaign.
The former Michigan State analyst holds an extensive coaching resume at both the college and high school level. Freeman spent three years (2017-19) at Division II West Texas A&M, where he coached wide receivers and doubled as the Buffaloes’ special teams coordinator. Freeman spent the previous two seasons (2015-16) working at his alma mater Abilene Christian as running backs coach. Freeman also had stops at Missouri Southern (2013-14) and Western State (2012).
