Recent head coaching changes at both Southern Illinois and now Western Illinois no question has been providing some uncertainty and added stress for several verbally committed players in the Class of 2016.
Southern Illinois, who is now rumored to be hiring former Saluki standout quarterback and current interim head coach Nick Hill to replace Dale Lennon, already has several verbally committed recruits excited about Hill's rumored hiring.
"I'm very excited," said Joliet Catholic senior defensive linemen Zeveyon Furcron about a potential Nick Hill hiring. "I've talked with Coach Hill a bit and he seems like a great guy."
"I'm really excited for Coach Hill," according to Crete-Monee senior wide receiver Landon Lenoir. "I have a very close relationship with Coach Hill. He's just a greta man and can really help me out in the future."
"The assistant coaches at SIU have been staying in touch with me since Coach (Dale Lennon) was fired," said Minooka senior defensive linemen Blake Parzych. "I'm just happy that Coach Hill will get a chance and it takes a lot of stress off waiting to see what happens."
Western Illinois is now starting to search for a new head football coach after former WIU head coach Bob Neilsen last week left for conference rival South Dakota after spending three seasons in Macomb. Several verbally committed names from the Leathernecks Class of 2016 are also now in limbo heading into the Christmas holidays.
"I decommitted from Western Illinois after I heard the news," said Hoffman Estates senior defensive end Dante Cleveland. "I just had a great relationship with all of the coaches at Western Illinois and that relationship was a big part of my decision. I want to open things up and see what options are out there for me."
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"I heard that WIU was hoping to hire one of the assistant coaches but now that sounds like it's not happening," according to Niles Notre Dame senior QB Tyler Tsagalis. "I'm going to just wait for now and see what happens with WIU but I'm also going to listen to other schools now."
"It's hard to deal with and especially now that colleges are in the dead period," added Chicago King senior defensive back and WIU pledge Phillip Powell. "I'll listen to other schools and like everyone else just wait to see what happens at WIU."