Central Michigan University Athletics
Reighard's Success Carries to the Gridiron
4/19/2010 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
MOUNT PLEASANT — Central Michigan head gymnastics coach Jerry Reighard's winning ways apparently aren’t limited to the gym.
Reighard and CMU wrestling coach Tom Borrelli were selected to serve as honorary guest coaches during CMU’s spring football game by head football coach Dan Enos. Reighard served on the White team, which defeated Borelli’s Maroon squad, 3-0.

“We want to applaud and celebrate the accomplishments of everybody at this university,” Enos said of the honorary coaches. “Coach Borrelli and coach Reighard obviously know what it takes to run a successful program and they have done outstanding things for this university. The more our guys can be around people that are successful and that love this university, the better they will feel and the more confidence they will have. Also, we want to give back to those two guys and let them know how much we appreciate the work they do and we can start to establish a great relationship with them and our staff. The more we are around them the better it is for the program and the university.”
Reighard guided the gymnastics team to its 11th Mid-American Conference title in 2010, tied for the most in the conference. He was named MAC Coach of the Year for the eighth time in his career and guided the Chippewas to a 20-5 record and a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Central Regional Championships. CMU was ranked as high as No. 23 nationally and entered the regional meet ranked 24th.
“It was a privilege to serve in that capacity on the sidelines on Saturday,” Reighard said. “I had a great deal of fun and enjoyed being around the young men on the field. It was a different feeling being exposed to men’s Division I athletics. I was very improvessed with coach Enos and his entire staff. They took me under their wing and taught me a lot about football. More importantly, I noticed the great character of the coaches in how they dealt with their athletes. I felt a bond between the coaches and the players and was impressed with the attitude of (offensive coordinator) Mike Cummings and (assistant head coach) Kyle Nystrom.”
Borrelli and Reighard were introduced to their teams during practice on Friday, then patrolled the sidelines during Saturday's spring game. David Harman kicked a 32-yard field goal on the final play to lift Reighard’s White team to the 3-0 victory.
