MACOMB — Western Illinois football coach Joe Davis announced the first additions to coaches to his coaching, naming Cole Hoover recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach, Karl Mofor as running backs coach, Brad Wilson as offensive line coach/offensive coordinator, and Brandon Kreczmer associate head coach/linebackers coach.
Karl Mofor joins the Western Illinois staff, most recently coaching at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2022-23).
At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Mofor served as wide receiver coach for the 2023 season. During this past year, Mofor’s receivers compiled 179 catches for 2486 yards, good for a 14.2 yards per catch average. His receivers also finished the year with 18 touchdowns.
Mofor also coached the Liberty League’s conference-leading wide receiver, and first-team all-conference wideout, Hayden Faraday as well as first-team Associated Press Player, Sterling Walker Sutton, who had 1092 total yards.
Before taking over as wide receiver coach, Mofor served as Rensselaer Polytechnic’s running backs coach from 2022-23. In 2022, his running backs carried the ball 320 times for 1635 yards and 10 touchdowns, while averaging 5.1 yards per carry.
Mofor also coached Dylan Burnett, a First-Team All-Conference rusher and the program’s first 1000-yard rusher since 2004.
As a college player, Mofor suited up for Albany. During the 2021 season, Mofor earned All CAA-Second Team honors, STATS Perform FCS All-America Second-Team Honors, and was named to the CAA Honor Roll.
“Karl is one of the best leaders and toughest players I’ve had the privilege to coach,” coach Joe Davis said. “He will be an exceptional mentor and leader to our Leatherneck running backs.”
Cole Hoover joins the Western Illinois staff, recently serving as an offensive line graduate assistant at Ball State University (2023).
While at Ball State, Hoover coached First Team All-MAC offensive tackle Corey Stewart and Third Team All-MAC offensive tackle Damon Kaylor. Those linemen helped pave the way for Second Team All-MAC Running back Marquez Cooper as well as a running game that gained 2332 yards and averaged 172 yards per game and 4.4 yards per carry.
Hoover also helped recruit Tennessee, junior colleges, and the transfer portal for Ball State.
Before working at Ball State, Hoover was an offensive line graduate student at Eastern Illinois (2022-2023), coaching Second Team All-OVC tackle Chad Strickland.
With Hoover’s help, the EIU run game improved from 112th to 62nd in the country and from 113th to 39th in the country in red zone offense.
Hoover also recruited Utah, Colorado, Alaska, Hawaii, junior colleges, and transfer portal student-athletes for Eastern Illinois.
Hoover attended Eastern Illinois, earning Dean’s List Honors (2017-2021), Commissioner’s Honor Roll (2017-2021), the Ohio Valley Conference Medal of Honor (2018-2021), the Livingston C Lord Scholar (2019), was the EIU Lincoln Laurette Scholar (2020), was an FCSADA Academic All Star (2021) and the NFF Hampshire Honor Society member (2021).
On the field, Hoover was a four-year letter winner, a three-year starter, and was named team captain
“Cole is one of the best young coaches at the D1 level,” coach Joe Davis said. “He will coordinate our recruiting efforts and be an exceptional mentor to our Leatherneck Tight Ends.”
Coach Brad Wilson comes to Western Illinois after coaching at the University of Indianapolis from 2017-present as the offensive line coach, offensive coordinator, and run-game coordinator.
While at UIndy, Wilson was part of five Great Lake Valley Conference championships and five postseason appearances, all while compiling a 58-13 record over six seasons.
Wilson coached 25 All-Conference GLVC Offensive Lineman, 16 being named first-team six All-Region selections and Two All-American selections.
During the 2022 season, Wilson’s offense averaged 35 points per game, after scoring 37 in 2021 and 45 in 2020.
Before coaching at Indianapolis, Wilson served as Offensive Line Coach/Strength and Conditioning Coordinator at North Central College from 2014-2016.
While at North Central, Wilson coached two First-Team All-America Offensive Linemen and seven College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin performers (five being named First-Team).
Wilson also served as Offensive Line Coach at Defiance College (2014), Eastern Michigan (2013), and Fort Lewis College (2010-2012). Wilson was also the Offensive Graduate Assistant at San Diego State (2009) and Ball State (2007-2008).
“Coach Wilson has a proven track record of coordinating high powered offenses and developing the offensive line position at an elite level,” Coach Davis said. “Most importantly he is known as a high character coach that is very invested in the lives of his players.”
Kreczmer is a familiar name to Western Illinois. He has been linebacker coach at WIU for the past two seasons and served as interim head coach before Coach Davis was named head coach.
“Coach Kreczmer bleeds purple and gold. His dedication to the university, investment in student athletes and success as a state champion High school coach make him a great fit for our staff,” Davis said.
Before coming to Western Illinois, Kreczmer was head coach at Sterling Newman, guiding the Comets to a 23-6 record and a 2019 Class 2A state championship.
He began coaching at Sterling Newman in 2013, serving as defensive coordinator and linebacker coach. He was also the head girls’ track and field coach.
He began his coaching career as a linebacker coach at Illinois College.
During his playing days, Kreczmer starred as a linebacker for the Leathernecks.
***Story courtesy of goleathernecks.com***
