To kick-off the 2008 football season the Gorillas will travel just north of Oklahoma City to Edmond, home of the Central Oklahoma Broncos for a 6:00p.m. kick this Saturday. Like the Gorillas the Broncos boats one of the Winningest records all time in DII football. In recent history however, both programs have slipped from historical dominance.
The Broncos will look to rebound from a losing season in 2007 plagued by inconstancy and more heavily by a NCAA rules violation investigation. The dust has settled in Edmond and the Broncos are a few scholarships lighter (along with a few other minor restrictions, including T.V. coverage) and have a new leader in first year Head Coach Tracy Holland.
Holland’s football carrier has taken him from being an assistant at his alma mater, and former DII foe, Northern Colorado to the front office of the former NFL Europe. He has spent the past six years coaching high school football locally in Edmond. Coach Holland took a few minutes this week to talk to TeamKong.
One of the recognizable faces of Pittsburg State University Gorillas football left his post earlier this week. Yes, the name Bill McMillen (a.k.a. The Fearless Forecaster) is synonymous with southeast Kansas sports, and most notably, Pitt State football.
As many of you know, McMillen’s last day at The Morning Sun was Tuesday night after nearly 30 years of service to Pittsburg and the surrounding community. Most of those years, McMillen was in charge of the Sun’s sports department, mixed in with a stint as news editor. Through it all, he served as a dedicated journalist, an entertaining and often hilarious columnist and a mentor to the many young reporters who have come and gone over three decades.
Coach Dave Weimers has been on a grueling schedule since accepting the defensive coordinator position at Pittsburg State last week. Hot the recruiting trail already; we were able to talk with Coach Weimers for a few minutes by phone while he was in a Texas airport. The conversation was short but he was very passionate as well as insightful. We appreciate him spending time with us in such a busy time for him and the football program.
TK: Your feelings and thoughts on coming back to PSU after 14 years.
