Fisher named as head coach
I do not have a number there is 5 names of guys leaving on the other thread. Just hoping that is all that leaves and most the rest stick around. That is just 5 more guys they have to replace even if they are practice squad. Would be interesting to hear how recruits are taking it.Leatherneck57 wrote:I've only heard of 3...2 redshirt freshman that don't play and the one that went to U of I.rocki wrote:Why, have you heard of any more players leaving? I just thought with Brett on the selection committee that there would be more faith in the process.
I've seen several tweets regarding hiring Fisher, and they seem to be positive.
I don't think that the existing players leaving the program had much (if anything) to do with the coaching staff changeover. Every year you loose a few guys here and there: they think they're not going to get much playing time, just decide Western isn't the best fit for them, decide they don't want to play football anymore.WIU0812 wrote:Just hope we do not see many more players leave. It is nice to have a deep roster and as more players leave it makes it difficult to have capable backups.
If you look back at my post for our QB's on the roster before the 2014 season, I had listed Norvell and Sean McGuire, but also Rhys Gervais and Devin O'Hara (with J'Vaughn Williams also mentioned but likely mostly being used as WR). When Norvell really stepped up right off the bat, the writing was pretty much on the wall that the rest of the guys would likely end up being backups for the next few years. With Gervais and O'Hara, they wouldn't likely get a shot at the starting job until their senior years (after Norvell had graduated) and who knows how the situation might have changed by then. As we know now, McGuire really stepped up as a backup in the last few games of the season and will likely have the starting job once Norvell graduates (if not sooner, depending on how spring and summer practices go).
Rhys Gervais ended up transferring to DII University of Findlay (Ohio), where he's found success this season, averaging 300+ yards and 3 TDs per game including a school record 507 yards on September 19th against Tiffin as well as setting many other school QB records. He'll have 2 more years eligibility to play there: http://athletics.findlay.edu/sports/fba ... v?view=bio
Devin O'Hara transferred to the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL, where he started this season, throwing for 198 yards per game and 21 TDs. According to his twitter account, he is now looking at options to return to D1 as a Junior Juco transfer:
[tweet]682296651554385926[/tweet]
So, every year we're going to lose a few guys for various reasons...happens with every team.

Western Illinois University Alum/Fan/Employee
Member of the Marching Leathernecks - 1996-2000
Also, the guy I originally said was going to U of I, I was mistaken, it was just because his dad happened to post on twitter a photo of him warming up before the U of I game and I was confused thinking that that's where he was going. Since I posted that original post, Brock Broughton has announced that he's transferring to DII Missouri Western. He'll likely get more playing time, plus it's much closer to home (only an hour away from his hometown).
[tweet]683789598321803264[/tweet]
[tweet]683789598321803264[/tweet]

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Thanks for the updates! it was nice visiting with you the other day...ST_Lawson wrote:Also, the guy I originally said was going to U of I, I was mistaken, it was just because his dad happened to post on twitter a photo of him warming up before the U of I game and I was confused thinking that that's where he was going. Since I posted that original post, Brock Broughton has announced that he's transferring to DII Missouri Western. He'll likely get more playing time, plus it's much closer to home (only an hour away from his hometown).
[tweet]683789598321803264[/tweet]
I thought maybe they were referring to new transfers - the others we had already discussed.
Those seemed to be more a position/playing time thing, which I totally get.
I think most of these guys are eager to get on the Leatherneck Express and go even further this year. I'm ready for them to, as well!!!
Those seemed to be more a position/playing time thing, which I totally get.
I think most of these guys are eager to get on the Leatherneck Express and go even further this year. I'm ready for them to, as well!!!
Yea, all the tweets I've seen from current players make it sound like they're all really excited to get back to work and improve upon last season.

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How many different jobs has this guy held in his 31 years? Sounds to me like he has never unpacked his suitcase in 31 years.
Good coaches continue to move up. Also, 9 years at Vandy, 5 years as a lower division HC...those are some pretty long stints in today's football world.
Almost nobody coaches in one place for more than 4-5 years (in the same position)...they either move up or down depending on how good they are.
Almost nobody coaches in one place for more than 4-5 years (in the same position)...they either move up or down depending on how good they are.

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ST_Lawson wrote:Good coaches continue to move up. Also, 9 years at Vandy, 5 years as a lower division HC...those are some pretty long stints in today's football world.
Almost nobody coaches in one place for more than 4-5 years (in the same position)...they either move up or down depending on how good they are.
Plus he would still be at Penn State if Bill O'Brien didn't take the Texans HC job...they loved him there.