WIU fires Hendrickson as head football coach, new leader will take team into OVC next season

MACOMB, Ill. — The Western Illinois University football program’s move to the Ohio Valley Conference will come with a new leader at the helm.

Sunday, one day after the Leathernecks finished an 0-11 season with a 48-6 loss to South Dakota at Hanson Field, WIU athletic director Paul Bubb announced the school will not retain head coach Myers Hendrickson.

The Leathernecks went 0-8 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. WIU announced in May it was joining the OVC for all sports with football not participating in the OVC until the 2024 season.

“After careful consideration and evaluation of our Leatherneck football program, I have determined that a change in leadership is a necessary step to move the program forward,” Bubb said in a press release. “I want to thank Coach Hendrickson for his service to Western Illinois University and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Hired in December 2021 to replace Jared Elliott, Hendrickson went 0-22 in two seasons at the helm. Hendrickson is a Macomb High School graduate who played wide receiver at WIU from 2009-11 before beginning his career as a college coach. His father, Mark, was WIU’s head coach from 2008-12.

Brandon Kreczmer, who served as WIU’s linebackers coach and co-special teams coordinator, will serve as the Leathernecks’ interim coach.

Bubb announced a national search is underway for Hendrickson’s replacement.