YPSILANTI, Mich. -- Eastern Michigan has hired Chris Creighton as football coach.

The school announced the move Wednesday night.

The 44-year-old Creighton led Drake to a 6-5 record this season and was 44-22 in six seasons at the Iowa school. He is 139-46 in 17 seasons as a head coach at Ottawa, Wabash at Drake.

"It is both a huge opportunity and responsibility and I am fired up about it," Creighton said. "My vision is to make playing football at Eastern Michigan one of the most incredible experiences of our players lives. I cannot wait to meet the team and start a new journey with them."

Drake quickly replaced Creighton, promoting assistant Rick Fox to head coach. Fox spent the past six seasons as the assistant head coach under Creighton.

Creighton replaces Ron English, fired last month after the Eagles opened 1-8 en route to a 2-10 mark. He was 11-46 over five years at the Mid-American Conference program.

English was fired in part for using "inappropriate language," that included a homophobic slur during a film session with defensive backs.

In October, Eastern Michigan receiver Demarius Reed was shot to death.