meganeck wrote:Any word on what WIU is going to do about a defensive coordinator?
Yesterday's (August 3) press release by "WIU Athletic Communications" answered that question:
"With our new staffing structure on defense with co-coordinators Tyler Yelk and Atiba Bradley, I really felt good about how they worked together throughout the course of the spring. We've got a very experienced defensive staff, three guys at one point in their careers have been defensive coordinators and made defensive calls. So the ability of those three guys to work together was a real plus for us in the spring," said Nielson. "We tweaked some things with our defensive scheme that will be beneficial. When you get three heads together it's better than one, and I think we showed that in the spring as far as our continued development."
Another change on defense was the move of Mark Watson from wide receiver to coach the cornerbacks.
"Adding Mark to that side of the coaching staff really helped us break down our defense even more with Mark working with the cornerbacks, Tyler with the safeties to go along with Atiba working with the linebackers and coach Moose working with the defensive line. That group has got to continue to improve as we go through the preseason. We've got to be ready to be tested against Eastern Illinois on September 3."
Western's defensive line by far returns the most playing experience, and Nielson will count on that group to help the younger players at linebackers and secondary develop.
