Ron Rankin returns to Millersville as defensive coordinator
1/29/2026 11:54:00 AM | Football
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. - Millersville University football coach Drew Folmar has named veteran coach Ron Rankin as the program's defensive coordinator.
Rankin, who served as an assistant at Millersville from 1999-2014, makes his return to the 'Ville after successful stints as the defensive coordinator at Allegheny Colllege, Fairmont State and Hanover College. Rankin and Folmar have long history. Folmar was the Marauders' starting quarterback when Rankin joined the staff, and the two helped Millersville to the NCAA Playoffs. Folmar and Rankin then worked side-by-side on staff from 2003-08.
"Ron is a man and coach with high character," said Folmar. "He has a passion for teaching the game, and he has a history of success in developing his players. Ron brings a wealth of experience, success, and recruiting ties in Eastern Pennsylvania to our staff and program. He has a very good understanding of what Marauder Pride is about having coached at Millersville under Coach Carpenter. He and I are aligned in our vision and expectations for our players and our program."
Rankin most recently helped Hanover to a 17-6 record during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, going 10-1 in Heartland Conference play. Rankin's defense helped Hanover to the second round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs in 2025. In back-to-back seasons, his units led the Heartland Conference in points per game, total defense, rushing defense, passing defense, third down defense, and red zone defense. His 2025 unit totaled a conference-best 26 sacks, allowed just 14.9 points and 251.3 yards per game. Rankin coached sophomore linebacker Brian Wall to All-America honors in 2025. Seven defensive starters earned all-conference first team honors.
"On defense we will be disciplined, sound, and aggressive," said Folmar. "Our players will be very well coached and they will play with great effort. Our guys will love playing for Coach Rankin."
Before moving to Hanover, Rankin led the defense at Fairmont State for five seasons which a two-year stop at Allegheny. At Fairmont State, his 2017 defense led the Mountain East in scoring (15.6) and total defense (281.2), and it ranked second in scoring in 2018. His 2022 unit ranked third in the Mountain East in total defense. At Fairmont State he was a part of four season with eight-plus wins, including an 8-3 campaign in 2023 and an NCAA Playoff appearance as the linebackers coach in 2016.
In 15 years at Millersville, Rankin led the defense and special teams, coached defensive line, linebackers and offensive line. Before coming to Millersville in 1999, Rankin served as the head coach at the University of South Dakota for two seasons, and as an assistant coach for the five seasons prior. Rankin's roots, however, are in northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania. A native of Canton, the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Rankin coached at Gannon and Defiance as well as his alma mater Edinboro. Rankin played running back for the Fighting Scots, graduating with a degree in secondary education in 1984.
Rankin, who served as an assistant at Millersville from 1999-2014, makes his return to the 'Ville after successful stints as the defensive coordinator at Allegheny Colllege, Fairmont State and Hanover College. Rankin and Folmar have long history. Folmar was the Marauders' starting quarterback when Rankin joined the staff, and the two helped Millersville to the NCAA Playoffs. Folmar and Rankin then worked side-by-side on staff from 2003-08.
"Ron is a man and coach with high character," said Folmar. "He has a passion for teaching the game, and he has a history of success in developing his players. Ron brings a wealth of experience, success, and recruiting ties in Eastern Pennsylvania to our staff and program. He has a very good understanding of what Marauder Pride is about having coached at Millersville under Coach Carpenter. He and I are aligned in our vision and expectations for our players and our program."
Rankin most recently helped Hanover to a 17-6 record during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, going 10-1 in Heartland Conference play. Rankin's defense helped Hanover to the second round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs in 2025. In back-to-back seasons, his units led the Heartland Conference in points per game, total defense, rushing defense, passing defense, third down defense, and red zone defense. His 2025 unit totaled a conference-best 26 sacks, allowed just 14.9 points and 251.3 yards per game. Rankin coached sophomore linebacker Brian Wall to All-America honors in 2025. Seven defensive starters earned all-conference first team honors.
"On defense we will be disciplined, sound, and aggressive," said Folmar. "Our players will be very well coached and they will play with great effort. Our guys will love playing for Coach Rankin."
Before moving to Hanover, Rankin led the defense at Fairmont State for five seasons which a two-year stop at Allegheny. At Fairmont State, his 2017 defense led the Mountain East in scoring (15.6) and total defense (281.2), and it ranked second in scoring in 2018. His 2022 unit ranked third in the Mountain East in total defense. At Fairmont State he was a part of four season with eight-plus wins, including an 8-3 campaign in 2023 and an NCAA Playoff appearance as the linebackers coach in 2016.
In 15 years at Millersville, Rankin led the defense and special teams, coached defensive line, linebackers and offensive line. Before coming to Millersville in 1999, Rankin served as the head coach at the University of South Dakota for two seasons, and as an assistant coach for the five seasons prior. Rankin's roots, however, are in northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania. A native of Canton, the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Rankin coached at Gannon and Defiance as well as his alma mater Edinboro. Rankin played running back for the Fighting Scots, graduating with a degree in secondary education in 1984.
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