Head Coaching Search

[ST_Lawson]

Historically, how long does it take us to hire a new HC? Or does it vary every time? Do we think any of the current coordinators will apply or will they all move on with Elliot?


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It varies. I don't think it was real long when Coach Elliott was hired, but he was just moving up from the remaining coaching staff when Coach Fisher left. When Coach Nielson left and we hired Fisher, it took a while because we had to accept applications for a while, narrow it down to a few we were strongly interested in, then bring those candidates in for a day of interviews. If it's anything like other searches I've seen firsthand, the committee then submits their recommendation and comments to the AD and they would make the final decision (but is usually going to go with what the committee recommends). Early signing period starts on December 15th, so I'd bet they want to get someone hired and officially announced before then. That way, assuming the new coach has a shortlist of players they're in good communication with, they can reach out to them and see about getting at least a few names to sign early. The job description page also says that they want to hire someone in December, so that lends credibility to the mid-December timeframe.

[Leatherneck57]

I am not sure Archie Bunker would have approved of the Peach Blossoms, but IMHO, the 70s were the glory days for fan interest at WIU football games.  I generally dont like people showing up after kickoff for games, but in the case of the Peach Blossoms, it was all part of the show.  The Vets would make their appearance in a beat up old green pickup truck (at that time anyway, I read they used to show up in a camoflaged jeep in the 60s) around late 1st quarter, early 2nd, make a round or two on the old cinder track and kick up a little dust doing it, then debark into stands and get ready to party.  This was theater at its very finest. Fans young and old loved it.  So what does this have to do with a coach search?  I think the new coach needs to be one who can think outside the box, try something orginal, use the trickiest of trick plays, ...  You get the idea.  Ask the prospective candidate what he (or she) thinks about the old WIU Peach Blossom tradition.  If they say it is horrible and would never work today, move on to the next candidate.   

 

Obviously the 1970's and '80s incarnations of the Peach Blossoms wouldn't fly today, but we do need something along that level of interest/excitement. Idk what that would be...outside of winning games, what does the current crop of students get excited about? I think improving the gameday experience would help (the new scoreboard is a step in the right direction), but also having a better "choreographed" team introduction would be nice.

Example - When the team comes out of the locker room to do their march to the stadium, have a drone following along with/above them the whole way. Show the video from that drone live on the video board and overlay it with music...something like that.

 

I agree Lawson!  That would be cool watching that on the new video board.  “Here come the Leathernecks”!  Maybe even add some footage of Marines as well!  All recommendations I will make when the new coach gets on board!
 

[rocki]

I am not sure Archie Bunker would have approved of the Peach Blossoms, but IMHO, the 70s were the glory days for fan interest at WIU football games.  I generally dont like people showing up after kickoff for games, but in the case of the Peach Blossoms, it was all part of the show.  The Vets would make their appearance in a beat up old green pickup truck (at that time anyway, I read they used to show up in a camoflaged jeep in the 60s) around late 1st quarter, early 2nd, make a round or two on the old cinder track and kick up a little dust doing it, then debark into stands and get ready to party.  This was theater at its very finest. Fans young and old loved it.  So what does this have to do with a coach search?  I think the new coach needs to be one who can think outside the box, try something orginal, use the trickiest of trick plays, ...  You get the idea.  Ask the prospective candidate what he (or she) thinks about the old WIU Peach Blossom tradition.  If they say it is horrible and would never work today, move on to the next candidate.   

 

Obviously the 1970's and '80s incarnations of the Peach Blossoms wouldn't fly today, but we do need something along that level of interest/excitement. Idk what that would be...outside of winning games, what does the current crop of students get excited about? I think improving the gameday experience would help (the new scoreboard is a step in the right direction), but also having a better "choreographed" team introduction would be nice.

Example - When the team comes out of the locker room to do their march to the stadium, have a drone following along with/above them the whole way. Show the video from that drone live on the video board and overlay it with music...something like that.

 

I must admit I loved the Peach Blossoms back in the day, and miss that rowdiness. (One look at those guys, and you would know they weren't drunken fraternity BOYS - and if anyone had the right to cut loose, it was those dudes) Yes, I'm old, and sick to death of "woke" culture.  Another thing to remember is that if you watch games from the Dakota schools, they don't just attract students, they attract EVERYONE. Might expand the search for appealing touches to older age groups as well. Just a thought.
 

[L'Étranger]

I dunno. Drunken militant transvestites is pretty woke, esp for the 70's.

[L'Étranger]

So, the only folks who'll admit to knowing anything about the actual coaching search are 57, GV Dad, and ST?

And to that end, nothing new to report since last weekend?

Of the candidates mentioned here, Drinkall interests me the most. He's done the rebuild, had success and moved on to G5-ish with success there. Also has WIU ties and knows what he's getting into.

 

[ST_Lawson]

So, the only folks who'll admit to knowing anything about the actual coaching search are 57, GV Dad, and ST?

And to that end, nothing new to report since last weekend?

Of the candidates mentioned here, Drinkall interests me the most. He's done the rebuild, had success and moved on to G5-ish with success there. Also has WIU ties and knows what he's getting into.
 

We likely won't really hear anything until the finalists are announced and brought in for interviews. That's generally how things go with hiring at that level.
 

[rocki]

I dunno. Drunken militant transvestites is pretty woke, esp for the 70's.

 

 
They were fun, that's for sure!!!!!
 
 
  
  
  
  
  

 

[ST_Lawson]

I dunno. Drunken militant transvestites is pretty woke, esp for the 70's.
 

Except they weren't really trans, just using it as a joke. That's the part that won't really fly today.

I would love to see the veterans club be more involved in things though. Show up at tailgating with their plungers and mop wigs, lead a "tailgater's march" from Q-lot to the field, get some kind of student section again and have them organize/lead cheers from the walkway in front of the stands...that kind of stuff.

[sealhall74]

Watching the current game.  One of the questions I would have for new coach is simple:  Do you run the Power I?

2nd down and 1, that would be the obvious RUN formation.  Instead, we call a pass, get sacked, throw a pass on next down that never gets to chains and ends up as a fumble.  

[sealhall74]

I dunno. Drunken militant transvestites is pretty woke, esp for the 70's.



 

Except they weren't really trans, just using it as a joke. That's the part that won't really fly today.

I would love to see the veterans club be more involved in things though. Show up at tailgating with their plungers and mop wigs, lead a "tailgater's march" from Q-lot to the field, get some kind of student section again and have them organize/lead cheers from the walkway in front of the stands...that kind of stuff.



 

I agree they would have to be toned down a little  but I think they would still be able to maintain some of their identity, espcially if the non-football related activiteis are for good causes, as their seemed to be back in the day.  Do kids even know what a "nooner" or "laker" is today.