Twenty-year veteran college assistant Joe Davis was officially introduced as the 32nd head coach in Western Illinois football history Wednesday in Macomb. (Photo by WIU Athletics)
By Barry Bottino and Dan Verdun
By nature, offensive-minded football coaches aren’t always patient.
Yet, after spending 20 years working his way up the ranks at a variety of stops as an assistant, Joe Davis surely must have developed some restraint.
Patience certainly will be needed for the task that lies ahead for the man who officially became the 32nd head coach in the 120-year history of Western Illinois football Wednesday in Macomb.
WIU – which boasts a proud tradition that has captured numerous league championships and has sent 42 players into the NFL – has fallen on hard times.
Davis replaces Myers Hendrickson, who was let go after two seasons and an 0-22 record.
The Leathernecks are mired in a 24-game losing streak, the longest in school history and the longest current streak in FCS.
Yet it’s a task that Davis, a native of Brighton, Mich., has embraced.
“One of the reasons that I was really attracted to this opportunity is because there’s been a tradition of excellence in the football program. Over the years, there have been excellent players, excellent teams and excellent coaches,” Davis said.
Challenge meets opportunity
The former Division III quarterback understands the challenges ahead, yet he can draw from his past successes.
Davis has helped three different football programs receive NCAA postseason berths.
He has produced nine seasons in which his quarterback passed for more than 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. Four of his QBs earned All-American status and three found their way into NFL training camps.
“The person that we’ve selected has the respect of the people in the coaching profession, and that means a lot to me,” WIU director of athletics Paul A. Bubb said.
Davis spent the past two seasons as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Eastern Illinois.
The Panthers posted their first eight-win season in a decade this fall. The EIU offense produced six All-Ohio Valley Conference selections, including running back M.J. Flowers, the OVC Offensive Freshman of the Year and runner-up finisher for the Jerry Rice Award, the national FCS Freshman of the Year honor.
“We wanted someone who had FCS experience and a record of success, both from the team perspective as well as developing individual talent. Someone who was familiar with the recruiting base we work in, as well as knowledge of the Ohio Valley Conference,” Bubb said.
A new Valley to travel
Western will play its first season in the Big South/OVC Football Association this fall.
WIU will host Eastern Illinois Oct. 12 at Macomb’s Hanson Field, marking the first time since 1995 the in-state rivals will face each other as members of the same conference. WIU previously was a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
“I told the players this morning, (we want) a chance to compete for an Ohio Valley championship. We’re entering a new league. There ain’t no history in this league (for WIU). We’re going to make the history in this league,” Davis said.
Bubb wanted the new coach to meet a diverse range of criteria.
“Someone who has organized a plan, has the ability to set vision and not only set the vision but to make sure others can see the vision and lead them down that same path,” Bubb said. “We found that person. There’s no question.
“He met all those he encountered with enthusiasm and respect. He plays an exciting style of offense and undoubtedly a defense that will complement that offense. Joe Davis has all those qualities and more.”
Foundations of the program
Davis met with his new team Wednesday morning before addressing the media and explained his approach.
“I told the players … that everything we’re going to do here at Western, within this program, under my leadership, is going to be based on truth and love,” Davis said. “As a leader of young men, I want to be able to be honest with them at all times, even though they may not like the truth sometimes. These kids want to hear honestly from somebody that they’re going to put their trust in.”
That trust will include a mix of caring as well as correction.
“When they need a hug, we’re going to hug them. And when my size 13s need to be up their tail, that’s going to happen too. That’s love,” Davis said.
Moving forward
Now that he officially has the job, Davis and his yet-to-be-named staff will work on assembling the 2024 edition of the Leathernecks.
“We have a lot of challenges when it comes to building the roster, but that’s not specific to Western Illinois. That’s all teams at the Division I level right now,” Davis said. “I want guys who want to be here, at Western. I want guys who want to be a Leatherneck. Period.”
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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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