Western Illinois to name Elliott head coach

(STATS) - Western Illinois didn't have to look very far in finding a head coach to replace the departed Charlie Fisher.

The Leathernecks have promoted Jared Elliott, who served as the assistant head coach last season, after Fisher officially left to become the wide receivers coach at Arizona State under the recently hired Herm Edwards.

"In my evaluation of the program and what I felt was necessary to continue our development and progression to the next step in Leatherneck football, it became readily apparent to me that our next head football coach is already on the staff," athletic director Matt Tanney said.

Multiple reports last month suggested that Fisher was resigning after two seasons to join Edwards' staff, and that move has become official as he'll reunite with Sun Devils offensive coordinator Rob Likens, whom he previously worked with at Temple.

Fisher went 14-9 with the Leathernecks, who will now be helmed by the man who was also their co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach last season. Elliott worked with the QBs at Western in 2012 before spending the next three years as the co-offensive coordinator at Carthage College, then returning to Macomb in 2016 as an assistant under Fisher.

"This is truly a dream come true for me," Elliott said in a statement. "I've wanted to coach since I was in high school. I am beyond humbled and grateful to be your head football coach. This is not something I take lightly by any means, and I am very excited about what is next."

Western Illinois went 8-4 in 2017, falling 21-19 at Weber State in the first round of the FCS playoffs.