HUNGRY AND MOTIVATED: Ferris State Head Coach Tony Annese Praises Bulldogs' Work Ethic, Focused Mindset with 2026 Preseason on the Horizon

By Sandy Gholston

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Last December's NCAA Division II national championship hasn't diminished Ferris State's hunger for more. Instead, that success is fueling another championship pursuit.

Instead, Bulldogs head coach Tony Annese said the team has returned with a familiar drive that helped it secure back-to-back national titles in 2024 and 2025.

"It's an exciting time. Obviously, football is America's game, and we all love that fall football season is almost here," Annese said. "I'm amazed by our guys. They appreciate what they have accomplished, but they quickly put it behind them and are already chasing what's next."

That mindset was evident Friday at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Football Media Day in Grand Rapids, where Ferris State was picked first in the conference poll with 49 points and seven of eight first-place votes.

For these Bulldogs, however, every season begins the same way: 0-0.

"We got back from McKinney, had a little time off for Christmas, and then Jan. 12 our guys rolled back onto campus ready to go," said Annese, whose team finished 16-0 and defeated Harding 42-21 in December's national championship game at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas. "From that first day, they attacked the offseason, getting themselves as ready as possible for spring practice and now this fall."

The Bulldogs also enter the season ranked No. 1 in the 2026 Lindy's Sports Division II preseason poll. Their first test comes immediately, as Ferris State opens the season Thursday, Aug. 27, at nationally ranked Pittsburg State in Kansas in a matchup of preseason top-10 teams.

Senior defensive end Tim Allen, a Coopersville native, said the program's expectations never change regardless of past accomplishments.

"We've put in the work to have the success we've had, but we know it's going to take even more work to stay there," said Allen, who had 72 total tackles with 5.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss in 2025. "Being here for Media Day and knowing the season is coming up fast only adds to our motivation to be ready for the opponents we're going to face."

Allen said that commitment was evident as soon as players returned from Christmas break in January, when the weight room was packed with Bulldogs eager to begin preparing for another championship run.

Standout slot receiver and return specialist Taariik Brett, a Jonesboro, Georgia, native, echoed Allen's enthusiasm.

Brett said he was honored to represent Ferris State at Media Day.

"I'm very grateful to be here and thankful the GLIAC invited me," said Brett, who rushed 105 times for 795 yards with six touchdowns and had 47 catches for 823 yards with 12 TDs in 2025. "We're proud to represent Ferris State University, Ferris State Football, our teammates and our coaches."

With kickoff less than six weeks away, Brett said the excitement continues to build.

"I'm looking forward to competing in this conference and against the outstanding teams we'll face in our non-conference schedule," said Brett, who has four national championship rings, looking for his fifth in 2026.

Annese believes the Bulldogs have positioned themselves for another successful season through their commitment during the offseason.

"It's a credit to them and their determination," Annese said. "This has probably been the best offseason we've had in a long time. That's exciting because now we get to see that work translate onto the field."