RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University lost one of its most faithful servants as long-time assistant football coach Jack Ison passed away on Saturday evening, January 27, at the age of 86.
 
A member of the EKU Athletics Hall of Fame, Ison served as an assistant football coach at EKU for 30 seasons beginning in 1967.
 
"It is a sad day for all Colonels as we learn of Coach Ison's passing," said University Vice President and Director of Athletics Matt Roan. "His impact on our football program and university can still be felt to this day, and we celebrate the memories we had with him here in Richmond."
 
"Our condolences go out to the family of Coach Jack Ison," said current EKU head football coach Walt Wells. "Coach Ison had a tremendous impact on EKU Football, both as a defensive coach and strength and conditioning coach in his 30 years. He had a tremendous impact on both players and coaches! His legacy will be felt for years through those men. His commitment to EKU and EKU Football was always a 'Matter Of Pride' for Coach Ison. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
 
Ison began his association with EKU playing halfback during the 1959-60 seasons for Coach Glenn Presnell before graduating in 1961.
 
He returned in 1963, obtaining his master's degree, and then served as the Director of Health, Physical Education, and Dean of Students at Alice Lloyd College in 1964 before returning to coach at EKU in 1967.
 
He began his coaching career in charge of the Colonels' defensive secondary and took on the dual role of coaching defensive backs and serving as defensive coordinator until 1993 when he was defensive coordinator and in charge of Colonel linebackers.
 
Ison also worked closely with EKU's weightlifting and strength and conditioning program for a good portion of his 30-year tenure, implementing a new lifting regimen in 1977 that helped prepare future Colonel teams for national dominance.
 
Due to his work with EKU's strength and conditioning program, the Colonels' strength and conditioning room was named after him.
 
He is remembered by former players as "a disciplinarian and emotional catalyst for our team. His intensity and heart were instilled in us, which, in effect, helped us win many close games."
 
There were many highlights in his career, first among them being EKU's first national championship in 1979 as the Colonels defeated Lehigh 30-7, with Ison's defense allowing only a single touchdown and less than 150 yards of total offense in the program's title-winning performance.
 
Following his time at EKU, he served eight years as an assistant coach at Georgetown College.
 
During his 38-year collegiate coaching career, he was part of 349 wins and coached in 55 playoff games with the teams he was associated with winning 23 conference titles, four national championships, and four national runner-up teams.
 
His loss is felt by all of Colonel Nation as he is remembered by his wife Pat, two daughters Libby and Mindy, and their families along with countless former colleagues and former players.