WIU tabs EIU offensive coordinator Joe Davis to be next head football coach

MACOMB, Ill. — Joe Davis’ task is to bring gridiron success from east to west.

The Eastern Illinois University offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, fresh off an eight-win season in Charleston, Ill., was named Sunday as the new head football coach at Western Illinois University.

“Joe clearly met the expectations that we have for our head coach,” WIU athletic director Paul Bubb said in a press release. “He has the experience in FCS football, has developed numerous outstanding FCS players, and has been part of teams that won championships.

“I believe his teams will play an exciting offensive style of football with an aggressive defense that will return Leatherneck football to a competitive and championship caliber program.”

Bubb fired WIU coach Myers Hendrickson on Nov. 19, one day after the Leathernecks finished an 0-11 season. In two seasons at the helm, Hendrickson went 0-22.

WIU has not enjoyed a winning season since 2017 when it finished 8-4 under Charlie Fisher. The Leathernecks are 4-47 in the last five seasons combined.

Davis is familiar with helping a program get turnaround. Hired in December 2021 to join the EIU staff, Davis saw the Panthers go 2-9 in his first season as offensive coordinator. This fall, EIU went 8-3 overall and 4-2 in the Big South/Ohio Valley Alliance, winning its final four games of the season.

EIU ranked third in total offense in the Big South/OVC Alliance, averaging 373 yards per game. EIU quarterback Pierce Holley threw for 2,741 yards and 17 touchdowns this past season.

WIU will be part of the Alliance beginning with the 2024 season, having joined the OVC in all sports.

Prior to joining the EIU staff, Davis served as associate head coach/offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at the University of Albany from 2018-2021.

As offensive coordinator at Albany, Davis helped the offense break 21 school records while improving from the worst-ranked offense in the Colonial Athletic Association to the third best. Davis’ quarterback also broke the school passing records while leading the country in passing touchdowns.

Davis, who began coaching in 2003, has been on the staffs at Fordham, Northern Iowa, Shippensburg, Wheaton, North Park and Wayne State.