FB: American Rivers Conference

alfredenuemann · January 04, 2006, 09:41:44 AM

Wartburg Makes it's coaching announcement

KOEHLER NAMED HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
Eric Koehleris Wartburg's new head football coach. Koehler joined the Wartburg football staff in 2002 as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He added head assistant coaching duties in 2004. A graduate of Hanover College in Indiana, where he completed a B.A. degree in political science, Koehler earned a master's degree in education at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 2004.

"Eric's hiring helps continue the momentum of an established and successful football program," said Rick Willis, director of athletics. "He emerged from an outstanding pool of candidates as the best fit for this job. His understanding of the Wartburg culture and his existing relationships with the players and coaches will serve him well in this position. Eric has done a tremendous job in all areas throughout his time as an assistant coach. He is well prepared for this challenge."

coocooforcoekohawk · January 04, 2006, 10:31:34 AM

So, who were the also rans for the Wartburg job? Who was the guy from the established east coast program?

DutchFan2004 · January 04, 2006, 06:58:59 PM

Congrats to Coach Koehler,

I think he will keep the ship going in the right direction. His offenses have always been pretty good. The program shouldn't go through a big change now. Now we get to the recruiting. Good luck to all the IIAC schools.

Happy New Year.

Walston Hoover · January 05, 2006, 11:22:30 AM

One of the interviewees was Jeff Voris who was just named the head coach at Butler.
Not to be confused with All-American Jeff Voreis who graduated from Wartburg 2 years ago.

Also-from today's USA today-
My old coach from A-P, Ed Thomas will be named the NFL's high school coach of the year. He gets a trip to the Super Bowl and $10 G's for the football program.
The wing-T lives on.

Confused77 · January 05, 2006, 02:47:50 PM

Still scratching my head on the hiring process at Wartburg. I just don't see why you would waste time interviewing other people if you were just going to hire from within.

It makes me wonder if other people were offered the job and turned it down.

The rest of my opinion of the whole situation is probably best left unsaid.

Is it August yet?

davedevine · January 06, 2006, 01:53:01 PM

Congrats to Coach Koehler, He's a bright young guy full of energy and should do a real good job of taking over for Willis.

Walston,
That's awesome about Thomas. It's Pretty Impressive. I'm sure Todd will be going as well, it doesn't hurt when you have about 10 clients playing in the league..

Also, I ran into Cody Weigmann last week and he mentioned the possible award to me. I was hoping to watch the Iowa game at Casey's place, but didn't make it. Casey only lives like 2 miles from me down here..

warthog · January 07, 2006, 06:00:24 PM

Well, we have a new coach at Wartburg. I hope it proves to be a good choice. The first test will be to see how recruiting goes this year. The Knights need a strong class.

How about a what if for Wartburg fans? If Wartburg's 1999 (10-1) team could play the 2003 (11-1) team, which one would win?

coocooforcoekohawk · January 09, 2006, 09:32:40 AM

speaking of recruiting, I here Marcus Vick is available.

lorbec47 · January 11, 2006, 12:20:17 PM

So what's the word on the off-season training? Who's getting after it, and what are they doing? I had to also drop a line and say that although I've only played against A-P and Coach Thomas, and viewed from an outside stance, the man is a terrific coach that really has everyone believing in the program. A model for all high school coaches.

warthog · January 11, 2006, 03:12:44 PM

lorbec:

I assume the off-season at the 'burg is flowing right along. Like always they are not discussing the past, but looking to the future. This past season's seniors are off the web-site roster and this team now belongs to the juniors.

I like that attitude. "Thanks for playing here, but your run is over. It is time for new leaders."

Followed by, "OK juniors, let's see what you can do with this team."

Walston Hoover · January 11, 2006, 11:52:30 PM

lorbec-Where did you prep at?

lorbec47 · January 12, 2006, 08:35:21 AM

I prepped at Jesup.

Walston Hoover · January 12, 2006, 11:49:39 AM

Ah, yes the J-Hawks. My freshman year of HS we got mooned by the J-hawk cheerleaders from their bus as we went into the lockerroom at halftime. NOT an experience I'll soon forget.

lorbec47 · January 12, 2006, 02:50:11 PM

Why does that not surprise me. My senior year the cheerleading squad got busted for drinking at the sight of a game. Go figure.

sc_stormchaser · January 12, 2006, 04:25:26 PM

Some interesting news out of Indianola that I don't think anyone has discussed. Paul Lounsberry was named the new offensive coordinator at Simpson. He's a SC grad and has a very expressive resume: Last year he was an assistant at Temple. From 2000-2004 was an assistant under Holtz at South Carolina. From 1987-2000 he was an assistant at South Florida (from '98-00 he was the offensive coordinator.)

Also, I noticed SC has hired a full-time strength and conditioning coach. Is that pretty common around the conference? I don't know, but that would have been very beneficial during my time at SC.