Illinois State head coach Brock Spack is the program’s all-time leader in wins and has taken the Redbirds to the FCS playoffs seven times, including last season’s national runner-up finish. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Dan Verdun
NORMAL – Nashville or bust?
That’s a question that Illinois State, fresh off January’s FCS national championship game appearance, is facing. It’s also one that head coach Brock Spack isn’t ducking.
“It’s been that way since 2014 here,” said Spack, referencing the Redbirds’ first national championship game appearance during Wednesday’s ISU media day. “Some years don’t seem that way, but that’s been my mentality since I came here.”
Entering his 18th year at ISU, Spack has taken the Redbirds to the playoffs seven of the program’s 10 appearances.
“What people don’t realize is that even though you went through this last year, you’ve got to kind of relearn it again,” Spack said. “You kind of forget how tough this is. How to fight through a sprained ankle or what new classes you’re in. Life is a little different every year for you academically. That’s all part of it.”
Since taking the ISU reins in 2009, Spack has produced 14 winning seasons and 123 victories.
“Every year you have to relearn how to win,” he said. “We may win differently (this year). We’re very similar to where we were a year ago, but as we start developing our identity as a team, we might have to find different ways to win. Or we might not. That’s the issue because you don’t want to take anything for granted.”
Senior linebacker Mason Kaplan isn’t focusing on a return to the FCS title game.
“Obviously, that’s the ultimate mission,” he said. “That’s been the goal every year. Every team has that viewpoint, but it’s how you go about it.
“I’m not looking at things as it’s that or bust. I’m looking at every single day. How can we get better tomorrow at practice. How can I get my body ready to have the best day?”
Redshirt sophomore defensive back Doreon Dubose said continued success is all part of the process.
“We’ve got to come in with the same mindset and work,” Dubose said. “We take it day by day, not week by week or month by month, but day by day. It takes way more than people think. That’s the biggest thing.”
Quarterback competition
The Redbirds are six days into fall camp in preparation for the Aug. 29 season opener against St. Francis, an NAIA opponent based in Joliet.
“This year’s team is going to be formidable if we can stay healthy and keep developing our quarterbacks,” Spack said.
Three quarterbacks – redshirt sophomore Beckham Pellant, senior transfer Gage Roy and redshirt freshman Chase Kwiatkowski – are competing to take over the starting job vacated by the graduation of Tommy Rittenhouse, who passed for over 3,500 yards and 40 touchdowns last season.
All three candidates participated in spring practice and have what Spack deems as the skills to lead the offense.
“They’re fighting for the job, but the other two (freshman Andrew Knight II and redshirt freshman Cooper Kmet) will be very capable in a month or so,” Spack said.
Home improvement
While Illinois State won a record four straight road playoff games last fall, the Redbirds posted a 3-3 regular season record at Hancock Stadium.
That’s something that sticks in Spack’s craw.
“We have to play better here,” Spack emphasized, pointing at the turf. “We didn’t play as well at home as we have in the past. We need to re-establish that as a real priority.”
The Redbirds will play six home games this season, including an Oct. 3 matchup with South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits were picked to win the Missouri Valley Football Conference in the preseason poll. ISU finished second in the balloting.
Canton bound
Spack will attend quarterback Drew Brees’ induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday in Canton, Ohio.
Spack served as Purdue’s defensive coordinator under head coach Joe Tiller from 1997 through 2008. Tiller died in 2017 at age 74.
Brees set numerous records and led the Boilermakers to the Rose Bowl during that era.
Former Eastern Illinois quarterback and current NFL head coach Sean Payton will introduce Brees during Saturday’s induction ceremony. Brees and Payton won a Super Bowl together with the New Orleans Saints.
Good Works
Kaplan was named one of 175 nominees for the 2026 American Football Coaches Association’s Good Works Team, which was announced in late July.
The team recognizes college football student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional commitment to community service, academics and athletics. Established in 1992, the program honors players who use their platforms to strengthen communities and support causes important to them.
“I really believe that honor is representative of this school, the coaching staff, the athletic department and starting with President (Dr. Aondover) Tarhule, the whole university,” Kaplan said. “It just shows the opportunities you have when you attend Illinois State University.”
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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