Willis signs extension through 2024

[unafied]

I won’t link the TimesDaily article since they are subscription based now, but they are reporting Willis has signed an extension through 2024. 

He’s been our coach for 4 seasons now, I believe, and I’m still not sure how to feel. Everything indicates he’s a good dude, but is that enough to win games in what will soon be a very tough conference? Why the rush for this extension? I would’ve preferred to see how things play out this fall before moving forward with a new contract. I don’t think it’s unfair to say that he likely isn’t having a ton of other schools seeking him out for their openings. 

I’ll continue to say what I’ve said for 4 years now... I hope he becomes the best coach we’ve ever had. This fall will go a long way in determining if that’s a possibility. 

[unalions]

I agree with all of that. I’d say he’s got two seasons, one in the Big South and the inaugural ASUN season, to show what the team can do. I don’t think die hard fans will continue to support him if it’s not an acceptable outcome. But what will “acceptable” be? I hope he has a fire under him and gets the team to the level of competing and winning.

[roaringsince96]

You have to wonder if coach Willis will have more freedom after the probationary period? I doubt he would have the resources during the probation to make “home run” type hires within the staff and also who would come to a transitioning program? We did show progress last year. UNA almost beat a very good FCS program and rival JSU. UNA lead at FBS program Southern Miss. into the 4th quarter. I like the tough schedule last year, think with spring practice it will help us to identify weakness and strengths. We will be a force this season in conference. We actually had runs of over 5 yards in the spring game, several of those, which hasn’t happened in too long. Defense obviously looks to be our strength, and skilled playmakers on offense. We start winning some battles on offensive line, look out national ranking for FCS.

[unafied]

Mar 21, 2021 12:08:17 GMT -6 roaringsince96 said:

You have to wonder if coach Willis will have the more freedom after the probationary period? I doubt he would have to resources during the probation to make “home run” type hires within the staff and also who would come to a transitioning program? We did show progress last year. UNA almost beat a very good FCS program and rival JSU. UNA Lead at FBS program Southern Miss. into the 4th quarter. I like the tough schedule last year, think with spring practice helps us to identify weakness and strengths we will be a force this season in conference. We actually had runs of over 5 yards in the spring game, several of those, which hasn’t happened in too long. Defense obviously looks to be our strength, and skilled playmakers on offense. We start winning some battles on offensive line, look out national ranking for FCS.

You’re right, we did some good things in the fall. It would’ve been interesting to see how that team would’ve done in a “normal” season. The defense would have kept us in every game. The limitations of the offense might have not been as noticeable against some of the Big South teams. I think that team could’ve won at least 7 games against the schedule we had planned. 

I guess I personally keep waiting for that “statement” win. But obviously Coach Willis has had a tough few years navigating this transition. Maybe I’m being too hard on him and the staff. 

[unalions]

I have a bit of a “wild” (but not really wild at all) idea. What if Coach Campbell took back over the offense and Willis took back the defense? Even if Willis just did it for a couple of seasons. I think that would put us on the best footing coaching-wise in what might be our first two playoff eligible seasons.

Let’s face it, neither unit has been the same since the 2016 title run. Both were in those positions that year and the team was just coming off of many seasons with Campbell in charge of recruiting. They need to find the recipe to re-create that magic for the FCS now.

[sevastian]

Complete waste of money. Dude makes less than the local high school coach. Has no staff and zero ability. Should be fired but UNA is broke.