Ron Rankin serves as the football program's defensive coordinator. He has begins his seventh season in Fairmont during the 2023 season. Rankin returned to Fairmont after serving as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Allegheny College during 2019 and 2020.
Rankin coached a trio of All-MEC defensive players in 2022 that included linebacker Brocton Blair, defensive lineman Randy Robinson and defensive back Jovon Jackson. Blair received Honorable Mention All-America honors after leading the Falcons with 116 total tackles.
Rankin also served as defensive coordinator at Fairmont State during the 2017 and 2018 campaigns. Rankin served as linebackers coach at FSU during the 2015 and 2016 seasons.
In 2017, the Falcons continued their domination on the defensive side of the ball, ranking 12th in the country in scoring defense (15.6), 13th in total defense (281.2), 18th in passing yards allowed (164.5), 13th in turnovers gained (29), 11th in interceptions (18) and third in defensive touchdowns (6). The Falcons ranked first in the league in five of the six categories, ranking second in the MEC in passing yards allowed during the 2017 campaign.
Rankin, who also serves as linebackers coach on the Fairmont State staff, saw each of his starting linebackers earn postseason honors in 2017. Marcus Porter was a first team All-MEC selection and also earned honorable mention All-America honors from the Don Hansen Gazette. Outside linebackers Jerry Iweh (second team) and Antonio Harris (honorable mention) also landed postseason honors from the league.
In addition, Porter also signed a free agent NFL contract with the Green Bay Packers following his senior season.
In all, three Fairmont State defensive players earned All-America honors in 2017 (Marcus Porter, Michael Porter, Stephen Turner). Three Falcon defenders also garnered All-Super Region 1 honors and nine received MEC postseason honors following the season.
Rankin’s linebacker unit was one of the top in the Mountain East Conference during the 2016 season as middle linebacker Marcus Porter racked up 100 tackles and earned first team All-MEC and third team All-Super Region 1 honors following a record-breaking season for the FSU football team.
In addition to Porter’s consistent play in the middle of the FSU defense, outside linebacker Jerry Iweh finished fifth on the team in tackles with 46 stops and also recorded a pair of interceptions and six pass break-ups back in coverage. For his efforts, Iweh garnered second team All-MEC honors as a sophomore in 2016.
During the 2016 regular season, the FSU defense held teams to just 95.5 yards rushing and just 15.1 points per game - as FSU made its first-ever appearance in the DII Football Playoffs and appeared in the national rankings for the first time since Sept. 4, 2001.
In his first season in Fairmont, Rankin led a pair of FSU linebackers to postseason honors, including senior Darius Lee and sophomore Marcus Porter, who were second team selections.
Rankin brought more than 30 years of coaching experience to FSU, including 15 seasons at Millersville University from 1999-13.
At Millersville, he coached on both sides of the football and served as special teams coordinator and defensive coordinator during his tenure. He also served three stints as Interim Head Coach for the Marauders.
After coaching the defensive line and coordinating special teams from 2008-2010, Rankin took over the duties of defensive coordinator -- a position he previously held at Millersville. The MU defense responded to Rankin during the 2011 season, holding opponents to the fewest points since 2007 and also generating the most sacks and interceptions since the same season.
Rankin came to Millersville after two seasons as head football coach at the University of South Dakota where he compiled an overall mark of 8-14, including a 5-6 record in 1997. From 1992 to 1996, Rankin was an assistant coach with the Coyotes, serving in several capacities that included offensive line coach, recruiting coordinator and academic coordinator.
Rankin began his coaching career after graduated in 1984 with a bachelor’s of science degree in social studies education from Edinboro University. After a two-year stint at his alma mater guiding the running backs and outside linebackers, Rankin served as running backs coach for two seasons at Division III powerhouse Allegheny College from 1986 to 1987.
From there, he served one season as defensive coordinator at Defiance (Ohio) College, then returned to Pennsylvania and spent three seasons at Gannon University as assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator.
Rankin has been a member of the American Football Coaches Association since 1985.
Rankin is married to the former Stephanie Olivito. The couple has three children; Marissa, Peter and Rena.
