Fisher named as head coach

[meganeck]

I like the Fisher hire. However, I am still very reluctant to crown Tanney champion of anything. At least he was able to do his job and be present for the tail end of process. Ash withdrawing himself from consideration made this situation solve itself.

It was Coach Fisher's to lose anyway from what I experienced...

In my honest opinion after attending both forums I felt Ash danced around some questions especially the ones about his defense and the issues he had the last couple of years. Coach Ash is a nice man and very professional but when he read his bio and told the story about football I think he sort of lost attendees. I also don't think his wife would have been happy here...remember you're also recruiting the wife as well. I think he wants the Southern Utah job more anyway and plus I think he probably knew he didn't have a chance after the forum because not too many attendees went up to him after. Coach Fisher won over the room right away and that didn't happen with Ash.

When Coach Fisher spoke...he spoke from the heart and didn't need to read anything. As I mentioned he's a person you want to lead your program because he is very professional yet down to earth! Way more than Bob and I can assure you once you meet him you will realize it. He knows his football!!

Coach Fisher has coached a lot of great athletes throughout his 30 years of coaching and is respected by his players and the coaches he has coached with. I had a conference call with Jerry Bey (former teammate of mine in the late 70's) and his son in law Jason McKie (former fullback with the Bears) today about Coach Fisher. Coach Fisher was a coach at Temple when he played there and he said Coach Fisher was one of the best coaches he had at any level. That says a lot and Jason said he couldn't wait the congratulate him and they will be coming down for the Spring game.

Jerry, Jason, Adrian Peterson and Alex Brown own a training facility in the Gurnee area that could turn into a recruiting goldmine for Western Illinois!

It's time to get on board because this guy can coach...

Former Neck

Reading some reaction after it was reported Fisher was at Penn State practice, a lot of Penn St fans were excited thinking he might be coming back, so that says a lot, plus Hackenberg for PSU had his best season when Fisher was his QB coach. I agree he needs to hire some assistants with Midwest ties and then interested as to who the DC will be.

[wiu712]

Story about the naming of the new coach as seen on tonight's WGEM Sports with Jeremy Culver:
http://www.wgem.com/story/30870176/2016 ... ball-coach

[Leatherneck57]

Any reactions from current players on Twitter?

Not thrilled that Fisher doesn't really have Midwest or MVFC experience.

Ash didn't either...he's been spending most of his time the 9 years in CA and TX and he even mention that. He said he can get a direct flight from Peoria to Dallas non stop. So whatever connections he had in the Midwest while at Drake most likely are gone.

[BobLovely]

I am very excited about the HC selection. With the addition of the right assistants we will be headed in a very positive direction with the program. I suspect Fisher will gather strong support from alumni, football alums, the community and hopefully from the apathetic student population [in time].

Bob

[sealhall74]

From day one, my only real concern with Fisher was what kind of staff he could bring in to Macomb. It is late in the game, certainly "two minute drill" territory and he needs to fill every assistant coach position. At this stage with a lot of years at FBS programs, would it be possible for him to entice several of those colleagues to drop down a level for a similar position? I don't see how that could ever happen but if he is able to bring in a OC and/or DC with significant experience at the FBS level, I am ready to proclaim the new coach as a true "miracle worker" even before he steps foot on Hanson Field.

[Leatherneck57]

From day one, my only real concern with Fisher was what kind of staff he could bring in to Macomb. It is late in the game, certainly "two minute drill" territory and he needs to fill every assistant coach position. At this stage with a lot of years at FBS programs, would it be possible for him to entice several of those colleagues to drop down a level for a similar position? I don't see how that could ever happen but if he is able to bring in a OC and/or DC with significant experience at the FBS level, I am ready to proclaim the new coach as a true "miracle worker" even before he steps foot on Hanson Field.

Trust me...as long as he's been in the business and the connections he has established, building a good staff won't be difficult.

Former Neck

[wiu712]

On last night's KHQA-TV-7 Sports, Chris Duerr mentioned that a top priority would be getting a Defensive Coordinator.

[ST_Lawson]

I would also appreciate a good Special Teams coordinator. Please and thank you.

[sealhall74]

A bump up in strength and conditioning staff for all programs would be high on my wish list but I doubt that is going to happen. I saw a tweet video a while back from our mens hoops team doing their power cleans. Not impressed. If I drop weights like they were doing at my gym, I get kicked out of gym.

[ST_Lawson]

A bump up in strength and conditioning staff for all programs would be high on my wish list but I doubt that is going to happen. I saw a tweet video a while back from our mens hoops team doing their power cleans. Not impressed. If I drop weights like they were doing at my gym, I get kicked out of gym.

True, although it did seem like we got better vs 2014. Fewer 4th quarter letdowns, and compare how many EIU players were dropping due to the heat vs our players in the first game.