New Western Illinois defensive coordinator Landon Fox (left) has identified plenty of willing learners on his defense as the Leathernecks implement a new system. (Photo by Barry Bottino, PrairieStatePigskin.com)
By Barry Bottino
MACOMB — From his spot along the east sideline at Hanson Field last week, Landon Fox offered encouragement, instruction and plenty of reminders.
What the new Western Illinois defensive coordinator discovered – both last week during the annual Bruce Craddock Memorial Spring Game and throughout the past month – is that his players are ready to absorb the team’s defense.
“I learned that we’re learning,” said Fox, the former head coach at FCS Valparaiso University. “As you put in a new system and really challenge these guys to pick it up, it’s a lot in 15 practices. I learned the guys are willing. They want to be good. It’s just a matter of making sure they know how to do it.”
Despite giving up multiple big plays to WIU’s potent offense, players and coaches were encouraged after the spring game.
“In a new system, a lot of times guys get caught up and want everything right now,” said cornerback Amare Bickham, a transfer from FBS Iowa. “Everybody has to take it one play at a time, one day at a time. I think we’ll be a great unit.”
Western head coach Joe Davis said the defense has revamped its entire terminology as the Leathernecks seek to improve on 2024, which included allowing 43.4 points and 478.3 yards a game.
“Our defense has come a long way,” Davis said. “You can see them trying to play a little more aggressive at times, with pressures. I like where we are defensively. I liked the length we’ve added in the secondary. I like the edge that Coach Fox and the staff have brought to that side of the ball.”
Along with the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Bickham, one of WIU’s 10 mid-year transfers on defense is 6-3 defensive back Matthew Perry, a transfer from NAIA St. Francis in Joliet who played both cornerback and safety during the spring.
“This level of football is much faster. I’m learning that,” Perry said. “I just hope to be one of the 11 on the field. If I’m at safety, I need to be the most vocal guy on the team. If I’m at corner, I need to listen to whatever my safety tells me, and I’ve got to execute.”
During the spring game, WIU showed some inconsistent results.
“The consistency piece is what we’re struggling with right now,” Fox said. “That will come as we continue to get reps.”
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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