2 Candidates

[IlliniNeck]

http://goleathernecks.com/news/2015/12/ ... 55242.aspx

MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois interim director of athletics and search committee chair Matt Tanney announced Tuesday (Dec. 29) that two candidates for the head football coach opening are scheduled to visit campus this week.

The two candidates are Charlie Fisher and Rob Ash.

Fisher has spent the last two years as the associate head coach at Richmond, working as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. This season, the Spiders advanced to the semifinals of the FCS playoffs (10-4 overall record) while earning a 'Top 10' national ranking.

With more than 30 years of college coaching experience, Fisher has spent time as an assistant coach at: Penn State, Miami (Ohio), Vanderbilt, Temple, North Carolina State, West Georgia, Lenoir-Rhyne, Ole Miss and Eastern Kentucky. From 1993-97 he was the head coach at West Georgia and posted a 36-17 record (.679 winning percentage) with a share of the 1997 Gulf South Conference championship and two postseason appearances. He was a graduate assistant on the 1982 Eastern Kentucky team that won the FCS national championship.

His campus and community open forum will take place on Wednesday (Dec. 30) at 1 p.m. inside the Corbin-Olson E-Classroom.

Ash, most recently the head coach at Montana State, owns a 246-137-5 career coaching record in 36 years as a head coach. He went 70-38 during his nine years at MSU, and early in the 2015 season the Bobcats ranked among the 'Top 10' in the FCS polls. He took Montana State to the postseason four times and captured at least a share of the Big Sky Conference title three consecutive years (2010-12).

He was named the 2011 Liberty Mutual Division I FCS 'Coach of the Year' and 2012 AFCA Region 5 'Co-Coach of the Year'. Ash is the all-time winningest coach at all three places he was head coach at – Montana State (9 years), Drake (125-63-2/18 years) and Juniata (51-36-3/9 years)

A campus and community open forum for Ash will take place on Thursday (Dec. 31) at 1 p.m. inside the Corbin-Olson E-Classroom.

For all the latest information, log onto GoLeathernecks.com, via Twitter at @WIUAthletics or Facebook at Western Illinois Athletics.

[vatusay]

Hopefully there are a few others that make the trip.....

[sealhall74]

Well, that was a quick pruning process. Santa must have delivered a crate of Red Bull to the search committee.

[ST_Lawson]

http://goleathernecks.com/news/2015/12/ ... 55242.aspx

MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois interim director of athletics and search committee chair Matt Tanney announced Tuesday (Dec. 29) that two candidates for the head football coach opening are scheduled to visit campus this week.

Not bad candidates, although I'm hoping that the bit about the two candidates that "are scheduled to visit campus this week" means that maybe they're finalizing travel arrangements with another one or two that may not be able to come to campus until next week. I was kinda holding out hope that at least one of the candidates would have ties to Western and be able to quickly make connections with some of the football alumni who were alienated during the Van Alstine era, as well as having a real desire to be here somewhat long-term. I don't know that these two guys aren't thinking long-term, but neither have any connection to Western.

I think Ash is slightly more appealing to me, since he's from Iowa, would know the recruiting area, and has head coaching experience at the FCS level (and has had success in the past, although the last few years weren't quite up to "standards" for Montana State). Downside is that he's already 64 (will be 65 by the start of the season)...so, if we're wanting a guy who'll be here for a while, he may not be the guy...but maybe he'll be the guy to get us through the next few years until he retires and we're in a better position to get someone.

I don't know Fisher's age, but he graduated college in '81, which puts him at probably around 55-57 years old.

[Neckfansince71]

Vatusay, not happy with these two candidates? Wiki both when you have a minute. Both seem to have great credentials and Ash will be right at home recruiting Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois after spending time at Drake! jc

[sealhall74]

I have to go with the "up and comer" Fisher on this one, guy not looking back at his past successes but looking forward to what he can achieve at this level.

[wiu712]

According to this article from the "Great Falls Tribune", Rob Ash had two years remaining on his contract at Montana State. His base salary was $175,000.
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/ ... /76269694/

[sealhall74]

Don't want to appear like am lobbying for either one as I do trust the process, but here is a nice video of Charlie Fisher in action during practice. Seems to have a good rapport with his players.

http://www.richmondspiders.com/mediaPor ... m_id=26800

[BobLovely]

Both are highly viable candidates based on their credentials and track record. The real question for these two candidates [and any others] is can they work to further build the football program, increase the following with alumni and boosters and raise student interest and attendance all within budget constraints and a desperate need for a new west side stadium. Obviously, no HC can do this alone but the great coaches pour their heart into these initiatives.

Bob

[meganeck]

I agree with Scott, am hoping there are more candidates with visits scheduled. These 2 seem pretty good candidates but hoping for some more. I know we are behind the 8-ball on this, but for getting over 100 applicants seems to be a quick narrowing down.