The Western Illinois offensive and defensive lines will get plenty of reinforcements before the April 26 spring game. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigksin.com)
By Barry Bottino
Trying to revamp the offensive and defensive lines at Western Illinois has a familiar feel for new Leathernecks head coach Joe Davis in his three weeks on the job.
After two seasons at Eastern Illinois as the offensive coordinator – when the Panthers went from 2-9 to 8-3 – Davis is attempting to build at several of the same positions where EIU quickly improved.
“Some of it is almost like déjà vu to two years ago with Chris (Wilkerson, EIU’s head coach),” Davis told Prairie State Pigskin Tuesday.
Davis discussed his first three weeks on the job, including priority positions, his coaching staff – including new offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Brad Wilson from NCAA Division II Indianapolis – his role on the field this fall and the impact of Western’s football alumni.
Line play takes precedent
The Western offensive line allowed 50 sacks last season, the most of any FCS team in the country. The Leathernecks also struggled to run the football, managing 47.6 yards a game, which ranked last in FCS.
Davis said the position has been a high priority for his staff in recruiting thus far, focusing on his philosophy of adding bigger bodies up front.
“Right now, we’re just not big enough and physical enough to compete, in my opinion, at this level,” Davis said. “That will be a big priority, to recruit length and size, very similar to what we did at Eastern. It’s not rocket science. That’s where great football teams are built.”
Davis said in his more than two decades of coaching, the best teams he was part of “had consistency on the offensive and defensive lines.”
Up front on defense, Davis said the focus will be adding more size in the middle and building more reinforcements.
“We need to create more depth and a rotation,” he said. “Every great defensive line also has at least one or two dynamic edge pass rushers. Finding those specific roles is going to be important, as well as developing the guys we have here already.”
Introducing Brad Wilson
At UIndy, Wilson spent seven years on staff, including the past four as the offensive coordinator, and working with the offensive line.
“He’s an exceptional guy, an excellent recruiter – especially in this region – and I’ll be leaning on him quite a bit,” Davis said.
Last season, UIndy finished 9-2, won the Great Lakes Valley Conference and earned a spot in the D-II playoffs. His unit ranked 17th nationally in total offense (442.9 yards a game), 22nd in passing offense (251.1) and 27th in rushing offense (191.8).
Wilson spent time at FBS Eastern Michigan (2013) coaching the offensive line, and at D-III powerhouse North Central College in Naperville (2014-2016), where he coached the O line and was the program’s strength and conditioning coordinator.
Staff updates
With the addition of Wilson to WIU’s coaching staff, Davis said four of the 10 full-time staff roles have been filled.
Davis confirmed he will serve as the program’s quarterbacks coach and the offensive play caller.
“It’s what I’ve done for quite some time,” he said. “(Quarterbacks) is certainly my expertise.”
Davis will spend part of his time at this weekend’s American Football Coaches Association convention in Nashville interviewing defensive coordinator candidates. From there, the defensive staff will take shape.
“I wanted to hire a defensive coordinator first before I finalize that side of the ball.”
He said the full staff will be in place by late January or early February.
Among his previous hires, Davis retained Brandon Kreczmer from the WIU staff. A former WIU linebacker, Kreczmer will serve as associate head coach and linebackers coach. He was the interim head coach before Davis was hired.
“I’m excited about Brandon,” Davis said. “He really bleeds purple and gold. He’s been a huge asset to me in these three weeks.”
Recruiting coordinator/tight ends coach Cole Hoover was an offensive graduate assistant under Davis for one season at Eastern Illinois. “He was one of my first calls,” Davis said. “I’ve always been really impressed with Cole.”
Running backs coach Karl Mofor was a two-time captain at Albany when Davis was the team’s offensive coordinator. “He knows our offensive terminology,” Davis said. “He’s a guy that I really trust.”
Quarterback changes
Last year’s starter, Matt Morrissey, entered the transfer portal after the season. That’s just one of several changes expected in the quarterback room.
Over the past three weeks, transfer quarterbacks from the junior college, NAIA and FCS levels have announced offers from Western via social media.
Per NCAA rules, Davis cannot discuss uncommitted recruits. But he said QBs will be critical to Western’s rebuild after back-to-back 0-11 seasons.
“Today’s game is so central to that position,” he said. “If you don’t get that position figured out sooner rather than later, it’s hard to score points.”
Along with coaching the position at Western, Davis said he will be the primary QB recruiter and also spend time over the next few months evaluating the current WIU quarterbacks.
Helping hand from history
Part of his interview process at Western was meeting with a number of Leatherneck football alumni, Davis said. That group has been no stranger to the new head coach.
“There are a lot of former Western Illinois players that have reached out,” he said.
Their feedback has included, “’How can we help? We want to see you get this thing going in the right direction. How can we be a part of it?’” Davis recalled. “That positivity and that interaction is very encouraging. It’s meant a lot to me.”
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.
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