Rick Willis returns to the sidelines this weekend at Wartburg when the Knights open the season against St. Norbert College. Willis had been the head coach from 1997 through 2005 before taking the job as director of athletics. He resumed his coaching role after Eric Koehler left to join the staff at Grand Valley State.
Willis says it’s a huge plus to have a good relationship with the players already, and that eases the players minds because there is a trust there. Willis says the transition has been smooth. He says they’ve had not transitional issues whatsoever.
Wartburg was 8-2 a year ago and with a large senior class the KNights are the pre-season favorite in the Iowa Conference race. Willis says the senior group is focused and hungry.