merryman
Ron Crook

Ron Crook

Offensive Line Coach

The Crook File

Coaching: 36th season, 2nd at Tech
Hometown: Parkersburg, West Virginia
High School: Parkersburg South
College: West Liberty State (1991)
Playing Exp: West Liberty (1986-1988)
Family: Wife – Stacy; Daughter – Kenley; Sons - Andrew and Cian

COACHING HISTORY

2023-present Virginia Tech Offensive Line
2022 South Dakota Special Teams/Tight Ends
2017-21 Cincinnati Offensive Line
2013-16 West Virginia Offensive Line
2011-12 Stanford Tight Ends/Tackles
2003-10 Harvard Offensive Line
2002 Illinois Graduate Assistant/Offensive Line
2001 West Liberty State Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
2000 West Liberty State Offensive Line
1999 West Virginia Tech Offensive Line/Special Teams Coordinator
1997-98 Glenville State Assistant Head Coach/OL/Special Teams Coordinator
1996 Clarion Offensive Line/Special Teams Coordinator
1994-95 Clarion Offensive Line
1993 Cincinnati Graduate Assistant/Offensive Line
1990-92 West Liberty State Offensive Line
1989 West Liberty State Student Assistant/Tight Ends


BOWL GAMES COACHED (10)

2023 Military Virginia Tech
2021 Cotton (CFP Semifinal) Cincinnati
2020 Peach Cincinnati
2019 Birmingham Cincinnati
2018 Military Cincinnati
2016 Russell Athletic West Virginia
2015 Cactus West Virginia
2014 Liberty West Virginia
2012 Rose Stanford
2011 Fiesta Stanford


COACHING HIGHLIGHTS

  • Crook joined the Virginia Tech staff in the spring of 2023 spending the previous season at South Dakota.. His career has spanned three decades and includes stops at Cincinnati, West Virginia, Stanford, Harvard and Illinois.
  • Under Crook’s direction, Tech’s line paved the way for the nation’s 22nd ranked rushing offense (189.8 ypg) in 2023.
  • Tackle Xavier Chaplin was named a third team Freshman All- American by College Football News in 2023 under Crook.
  • Crook spent five seasons at Cincinnati (2017-21), helping the Bearcats win back-to-back AAC titles and becoming the first Group of Five team to compete in 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, second in the conference.
  • Cincinnati’s offenses averaged 2.26 rushing touchdowns per game during Crook’s tenure (2017-21), ranking 15th best in the country. The Bearcats ranked 10th in 2021 in offensive line efficiency. Crook oversaw four top 25 finishes in rushing offense (2020, 2019, 2018, 2017) and three top 25 finishes in yards per carry (2021, 2020, 2018).
  • Crook has been an offensive line coach throughout his career, with a wealth of experience in the Pac-12, Big 12, Ivy League and Big 10 conferences.
  • Crook was a part of the West Virginia staff from 2013-16 helping the Mountaineers to three straight bowl games and a ten-win campaign in 2016.
  • He served at Stanford from 2011-12 when the Cardinal won a Pac-12 championship and made two BCS bowl games.
  • Prior to his arrival at Stanford, Crook spent eight seasons (2003-10) as offensive line coach at Harvard. 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 2002 at Illinois, Crook worked closely with All-Big Ten players Dave Diehl and 2001 All-America Tony Pashos, who were both selected in the 2003 NFL Draft.
  • 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.
  • Crook was part of coaching staffs at West Virginia Tech (1999), Glenville State (1997-98) and Clarion College (1994-96) where he was part of Division II playoff teams.
  • An offensive lineman at West Liberty State from 1986 to 1988, Crook is a native of Parkersburg, West Virginia. He and his wife, Stacy, have three children, Andrew, Cian and Kenley.