There’s been plenty of corrupt and scandalous college football stories in the media this past year. So much so that you may have overlooked some of the more inspiring tales of the smart and strong hitting new levels of success. On example is taking place in Macomb, IL.
KiJuan Ware – a 2001 Fulbright Scholar who studied in Tokyo- will be named offensive coordinator at Western Illinois University tomorrow. To the best of my knowledge, he is the only Fulbright Scholar actively coaching in college football today.
Ware is the current running backs coach for the WIU Leathernecks. Under his watch last season, four running backs shared more than 325 carries with zero total fumbles; it was the first season without a fumble from the RB position in Western Illinois football history. Two of his players finished the season ranked 10th and 11th in the MVFC for all-purpose yards.
Ware’s previous stop was the “Cradle of Coaches,” Miami University where he held the same position, and increased the team’s rushing yards 63% from 2009 to 2010. He helped lead the team to a MAC conference championship in 2010. He was in line for the Pittsburgh Offensive Coordinator job a few years ago, but unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances forced Head Coach Mike Haywood’s dismissal and the ultimate break-up of the Pitt coaching staff.
Get to know the name because it won’t be too long before he becomes a head coach somewhere. Like Harvard graduate Jeremy Lin is currently showing us in the NBA, smart guys succeed in sports. Ware has a Bachelor’s (mathematics, computer science) and Master’s (physical education) from Springfield College. His coaching resume includes stops at elite institutions such as Georgetown, Dartmouth and Notre Dame.
You can follow him on Twitter @KIJUANWARE
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
A Fulbright scholar and MBA, Banks has appeared on live radio all over the world; and he’s a member of the Football Writers Association of America, U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and Society of Professional Journalists. The President of the United States follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB) You should too.