Western Illinois dismisses Hendrickson, begins search for next head coach

Myers Hendrickson, a former WIU player, spent two seasons as the Leathernecks’ head coach. Western is mired in a 24-game losing streak dating back to 2021. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)

By Dan Verdun

Western Illinois athletic director Paul A. Bubb announced late Sunday afternoon that the Leathernecks have dismissed Myers Hendrickson as head coach.

WIU did not win a game in the two seasons that Hendrickson spent as head coach, compiling an 0-22 overall record. The Leathernecks were 0-16 in Missouri Valley Football Conference games.

“After careful consideration and evaluation of our Leatherneck football program, I have determined that a change in leadership is a necessary step to move the program forward,” Bubb said in a statement on GoLeathernecks.com. “I want to thank Coach Hendrickson for his service to Western Illinois University and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Hendrickson was hired in December 2021 to replace Jared Elliott. Hendrickson, who played for WIU from 2008-2010, previously was the head coach at Kansas Wesleyan, an NAIA school, where he posted a 31-5 overall record.

The 34-year-old Hendrickson is the son of Mark Hendrickson, who was the WIU head coach from 2008 to 2012. The elder Hendrickson, who served on his son’s Western Illinois staff the past two seasons, was the Leathernecks’ offensive coordinator for nine seasons (1999-2007) before becoming WIU’s head coach.

According to the WIU media release, a national search is underway by WIU Athletics. Linebackers and co-special teams coordinator Brandon Kreczmer will serve as interim head coach until a permanent coach can be named.

WIU is mired in a 24-game losing streak, the longest in school history. It is also the longest current winless streak in FCS.

Earlier this calendar year, Western Illinois announced it was leaving the MVFC for the Ohio Valley Conference. Already competing in the OVC in its other sports, WIU will play an OVC schedule beginning with the 2024 football season.

Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.

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