English also served as the head football coach at Eastern Michigan University from 2009 to 2013, compiling a record of 11–46.

English's defense showed great success against most run-heavy teams in the Big Ten Conference and allowed the fewest rushing yards per game in the nation.

At the time of his hiring by Eastern Michigan, he was one of six African American head coaches at Football Bowl Subdivision teams; the others (and their teams at the time) were Turner Gill (Buffalo), Kevin Sumlin (Houston), Mike Locksley (New Mexico), Randy Shannon (University of Miami), and Mike Haywood (Miami University) .

[4] Following the success of the 2011 season, media outlets speculated that English could be a candidate for head coaching openings at BCS schools.

EMU faced a difficult schedule, with 7 losses to teams that participated in a post season bowl game.

On November 9, athletic director Heather Lyke confirmed the existence of the tape and condemned it as "wholly inappropriate" and "absolutely unacceptable.

[11] In 2014, English joined the Cleveland Browns' internship program under a Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship.

[13] English returned to coaching on February 9, 2016, as defensive coordinator at San Jose State under Ron Caragher.