The 2019 season marks the 57th year John Saccomen has been involved with football.

He has coached for 46 years. He has coaching experience on the high school and college levels. Lee Owens is the third AU head coach Saccomen has served. He also coached under Dr. Fred Martinelli and Gary Keller.

Saccomen's area of expertise is the defensive line. He was a defensive tackle at Miami (Ohio) from 1969-73. After his playing career was complete, Saccomen coached high school football at Hamilton Garfield and Ashland. He's worked 28 years at Ashland University. He returned to the program in 2013 after coaching at Ashland High School.

Saccomen coached some of the best defensive units in school history. He was an assistant coach in the early 1990's when the Eagles led the country in total defense and were nationally ranked in scoring and rush defense. He worked with some of the best defensive players in school history, including defensive linemen Bill Royce and Sam Hohler.

Saccomen and his wife, Ellen, reside in Ashland. They have two grown children - Justin and Rochelle.