Im glad to see Wienke get the nod for D-Coordinator as I think it was the best decision with a clean transition for the team.  I think the additions of Stuedemann, Earnest, and Radtke the coaches will have some quality young guys on the staff.

Quote from: washdupcard on July 24, 2008, 05:48:30 PM

Quote from: Wags on July 24, 2008, 11:08:58 AM
Football


Additions made to Cardinal Coaching Staff

North Central College head football coach John Thorne has announced a series of changes to the Cardinals' coaching staff, including the addition of several new coaches to the program.

Bill Wienke, the Cardinals' linebackers coach and strength and conditioning coordinator, will return to the position of defensive coordinator, a post he held from 2004-2006.

"I'm really happy for him, and the returning players are, as well," Thorne said of Wienke, who has been on the coaching staff since Thorne arrived at the College in 2002.

Wienke's defensive unit ranked first in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin in four categories in 2006, including fewest rushing yards allowed (89.7 per game) and turnover margin (+21). The Cardinals also set a school record for fewest passing yards allowed in a game (0 vs. Augustana College).

"I'm elated," Wienke said. "This is a great place to work. It's a joy to work here with the coaches we have, and the players and their families are phenomenal. With the coaches we've got coming in here, there's just a lot of really good people to work with."

New to the Cardinals' defensive staff this season is Matt Foster, who will serve as defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator. Foster, the head football coach at Wheaton North High School the past seven years, has also served as an assistant coach at the College of DuPage from 1992-1997, associate head coach and defensive coordinator at Central Connecticut State University from 1987-1991, and defensive coordinator at Salisbury State University (Md.) from 1984-1987.

He brings a track record of success to his position at the College, helping Salisbury State advance to the NCAA Division III national championship game, aiding Central Connecticut State to three straight winning seasons, making six National Junior College Athletic Assocation playoff appearances (including two trips to the national championship game) with DuPage, and leading Wheaton North to the state playoffs four times, twice advancing to the semifinals. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from Illinois State University in 1983 and earned a master's degree from Salisbury State in 1986.

"The reason I'm here is Coach Thorne," said Foster, who played for Thorne at Wheaton Central High School (now Wheaton Warrenville South). "I was lucky to have him as my high school coach, and I feel very lucky to be a part of his staff here. He was very influential in my decision to pursue coaching, and he helped shape the kind of coach I decided I wanted to be. I'm excited about the opportunity to learn even more, and maybe I can give something back."

Also new to the defensive staff, though not new to North Central, is Eric Stuedemann '07, who will also help with the coaching of defensive backs. Stuedemann was a four-year starter at wide receiver for the Cardinals from 2003-2006, finishing as North Central's career record holder in receptions (175) while ranking second in receving yards (2,099) and third in touchdown catches (20). He was a First Team All-CCIW and All-North Region selection as a senior.

After earning his bachelor's degree from the College in 2007, Stuedemann joined the Cardinals' coaching staff, assisting with the coaching of tight ends. He earned his master of business administration degree, also from North Central, last spring.

"This is a great program," Stuedemann said. "That's a big reason why I came back and helped out last year, along with the relationships I've developed with the coaches. I learned a lot last year, and plan on learning a lot more this year as a defensive coach.

"It will be new at first, but I think it helps that I have experience at wide receiver, because I may pick up on opponents' tendencies a little differently than the players will."

"Any time you get the chance to hire former players, it's a great opportunity for everyone involved," Thorne mentioned. "Brad Spencer '04 joined our staff a few years ago, and he had just finished up his playing career, but he really worked hard and has done a terrific job. We think Eric will do the same thing."

Stuedemann is joined on the coaching staff this season by two other recent North Central graduates in Chuck Earnest '06 and Lenny Radtke '06. Earnest will assist Spencer with the coaching of wide receivers, while Radtke will aid Wienke in the mentoring of linebackers.

Earnest is one of just three players in North Central history to catch at least 100 passes and currently ranks third all-time at the College with 105 career receptions. He was a First Team All-CCIW selection as a senior in 2005, and ranks in the top 10 of every single-season and career receiving category in the Cardinals' record book.

"Our passing composite is very complex and extremely hard to learn," Thorne indicated. "For Brad to teach it by himself every year is a gigantic job. Due to the fact that we have such a large recruiting class this season, we're trying to back every coach up with an assistant, and that will be a huge boost for all of us.

"Chuck knows our composite, and knows the checks and how to adjust routes depending on coverage, so he will be able to help our receivers learn it a great deal faster."

Radtke is North Central's all-time leader in tackles in career (466) and a single season (152 as a senior in 2005), in addition to ranking in the top 10 in pass breakups and tackles for loss. He was a three-time First Team All-CCIW selection and a two-time All-American.

"Lenny was a tremendous team captain for us, and just an unbelievable player," Thorne said. "He will be a great resource for our linebackers to learn from on a day-to-day basis."

Thorne plans to announce more additions to the staff in the near future, and is still searching for an assistant offensive line coach and an assistant coach to work with kickers and punters. The Cardinals open the 2008 season Sept. 13 against Ohio Northern University.

It seems odd that Coach Foster would take this position with North Central in light of his obvious credentials and achievements.  To me, this screams of a future promise for a better position on the coaching staff as either D-Coord., or the eventual replacement for Thorne (now that Lester, the previous heir-apparant has moved on).

Anyone agree?  Disagree?  Taulk amongst yourselves.

I could also see this in the future seeing as Lester was one of Thornes guys he brought in but well see.

Quote from: CardinalAlum on July 15, 2008, 11:35:23 AM

Quote from: 79jaybird on July 15, 2008, 11:05:30 AM
Why wouldn't NC go to Wienke, who has been instrumental in helping NC get a solid defense for the past few years?  Not taking Wienke would not make sense to me at all.

Well...let's just call it a personality clash.  Weinke is a great coach with as much passion as any coach I have ever seen.  His defenses were statistically better than Lesters.  Stay turned for today's episode of...."As the Cardinal Turns"   

And it wouldnt make sense to most of us either, but its very much a possibility.  Like CardinalAlum stated NCC has had a number of "personality clashes" in the past year. Is it me or would you think one of us would have heard Wienke named already if NCC wasnt thinking about other possibilities?

Comet14-

Im wondering the same, especially for NCC who didnt play one a couple years back and lost to a certain CUW the first game of the season.

CardinalAlum-

I am dreading this decision being made until I see Wienke's name, and yes that what it would turn into a complete circus within the staff.

NCC.2008-

I agree it might be rough on the underclassman, but whether they change to the 4-3 or not they are going to have to tweak the defense either way, due to Lester knowing the ins-and-outs of the entire defense. Im just not as worried as seeing half the team (juniors and seniors) have played under Wienke's 4-3 and they have the players to play the 4-3 this year so it might be a easier transition than you think. Hopefully the higher ups in the staff decide to give Wienke the nod, or else its going to be a much bigger transition.

On a side note are they playing a scrimmage this year?

I have to disagree with NCC2008. NCC should be quite alright with the loss of Lester. I cant see them bringing anyone else in besides Wienke to run the defense. Wienke is a great coach and ran NCC's defense during their first playoff appearance as well as their first share of the conference title the following year.  I think their biggest decision will be whether to stick with the 3-3-5 or go back to the 4-3 considering Lester knows how NCC runs the 3-3-5 inside and out. Going back to the 4-3 shouldn't be that big of a transition for NCC either seeing as many of the seniors and juniors played under Wienke's 4-3 (and they have the players to play it this year). Although NCC had a great past year with Lester and the 3-3-5, I think bringing him in as the D-coordinator last year for Wienke caused alot of unnecessary drama as well as pressure on the players, seeing as he left within a year. NCC has made some large coaching changes and has had its share of drama over the past year. Their decision to bring in Lester last year had a significant effect on the defensive side of the coaching staff, which resulted in the cards getting rid (whether it was their own decision or not) of some GREAT coaches on that side of the ball (prentice, gordon, schwiegert were lost last year). Some of the higher ups on the staff *cough cough* at NCC really need to think alot more about these changes before they make these decisions that are not only going to effect the staff but the players as well.

All and all the cards will be solid in 2008, and should be the team to beat in the CCIW.  With camp bringing in players after a long summer of training the cards only have a couple question marks to fill up position wise. Who they pick to fill the D-coordinator spot will be the biggest question mark NCC needs to answer.  The easiest transition in my eyes would be to bring back Wienke who has been there since the beginning of Thorne (but for some odd reason I get a feeling some others might be added into this decision).