2008 Woodie Awards
Football coach opening to be filled within next week
by Josh Berhow
Issue date: 1/24/08
Section: Mens Sports
More than 80 candidates applied, four were brought in for interviews and in the next day or so, one will be chosen.
After a long interviewing process, it's time for a selection for the new Minnesota State head football coach.
The last potential candidate, Shannon Currier, head coach at Truman State, visited MSU Wednesday, finishing the interviewing process.
The announcement of the new head football coach for the Mavericks is expected to be announced within the next week.
Whenever the decision is made, it won't be an easy one. All four finalists are qualified for the position, but who is the most qualified to help MSU football in the long run?
All candidates have stated the fact that a job like this is an opportunity that can't be passed up. As the Mavericks transfer to the Northern Sun next year, it would be a great chance for any coach to start their career as a Maverick.
"The committee has done an outstanding job getting together some real good candidates," Currier said. "I can tell there's a lot of enthusiasm for football here."
Dan McLaughlin, head coach of Wayne State, and the first to interview, might seem to be the front-runner for the job, simply because he's coached in Mankato as an offensive coordinator in 2004, under former coach Jeff Jamrog.
Although McLaughlin is familiar with Mankato, the other candidates all have their strengths they can bring to the table.
Todd Hoffner, the second interviewee, has had success as the offensive coordinator for South Dakota for the last two years, and hopes to bring the same success to MSU.
"The biggest thing I want to teach players is to be a great person first and a great student-athlete second," Hoffner said.
Jim Williams is the only finalist who has never had any head coaching experience. But he won't be one to tell you that that's a disadvantage for him.
"I've done a lot of things head coaches do, and my goal is to be a head coach," Williams said. "I'm very secure in the fact that I know I can do a good job."
Currier, who is fresh off a 6-5 record with TSU last year, had past success at TSU and his prior job at Concordia-St. Paul, where he was 32-12 in his four-year stint.
"We are looking for somebody that can reverse the fortunes here and get our program to where it's winning on a consistent basis," said Kevin Buisman, Director of Athletics at MSU.
"Job opportunities like this one don't come along very often," Hoffner said. "And when the opportunity strikes, you need to be prepared to put your best effort forward and try to acquire the position."
One of the main questions interviewers asked the applicants during their time together was: Why MSU? And why do you want to leave your current position?
Some applicants are in search for a head coaching position, and job opportunity at a progressing DII program, among other things.
But McLaughlin said it best at the conclusion of one of his many interviews, and all the candidates would have to agree with his logic.
"I don't want to leave Wayne State. I want to come to Minnesota State," he said.
Josh Berhow is the Reporter assistant sports editor
After a long interviewing process, it's time for a selection for the new Minnesota State head football coach.
The last potential candidate, Shannon Currier, head coach at Truman State, visited MSU Wednesday, finishing the interviewing process.
The announcement of the new head football coach for the Mavericks is expected to be announced within the next week.
Whenever the decision is made, it won't be an easy one. All four finalists are qualified for the position, but who is the most qualified to help MSU football in the long run?
All candidates have stated the fact that a job like this is an opportunity that can't be passed up. As the Mavericks transfer to the Northern Sun next year, it would be a great chance for any coach to start their career as a Maverick.
"The committee has done an outstanding job getting together some real good candidates," Currier said. "I can tell there's a lot of enthusiasm for football here."
Dan McLaughlin, head coach of Wayne State, and the first to interview, might seem to be the front-runner for the job, simply because he's coached in Mankato as an offensive coordinator in 2004, under former coach Jeff Jamrog.
Although McLaughlin is familiar with Mankato, the other candidates all have their strengths they can bring to the table.
Todd Hoffner, the second interviewee, has had success as the offensive coordinator for South Dakota for the last two years, and hopes to bring the same success to MSU.
"The biggest thing I want to teach players is to be a great person first and a great student-athlete second," Hoffner said.
Jim Williams is the only finalist who has never had any head coaching experience. But he won't be one to tell you that that's a disadvantage for him.
"I've done a lot of things head coaches do, and my goal is to be a head coach," Williams said. "I'm very secure in the fact that I know I can do a good job."
Currier, who is fresh off a 6-5 record with TSU last year, had past success at TSU and his prior job at Concordia-St. Paul, where he was 32-12 in his four-year stint.
"We are looking for somebody that can reverse the fortunes here and get our program to where it's winning on a consistent basis," said Kevin Buisman, Director of Athletics at MSU.
"Job opportunities like this one don't come along very often," Hoffner said. "And when the opportunity strikes, you need to be prepared to put your best effort forward and try to acquire the position."
One of the main questions interviewers asked the applicants during their time together was: Why MSU? And why do you want to leave your current position?
Some applicants are in search for a head coaching position, and job opportunity at a progressing DII program, among other things.
But McLaughlin said it best at the conclusion of one of his many interviews, and all the candidates would have to agree with his logic.
"I don't want to leave Wayne State. I want to come to Minnesota State," he said.
Josh Berhow is the Reporter assistant sports editor
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