BREAKING NEWS: Former defensive coordinator named new head coach

Kyle Hightower

c College Heights Herald 2003

Less than one week after Jack Harbaugh ended his 14-year tenure as Western head football coach, a recently departed former coach is coming back to take his place.

David Elson, Western’s former defensive coordinator, will be named head coach at a press conference at 4 p.m today at Diddle Arena, according to an athletic department source.

Elson left the Hilltopper program in February to take a job at Division I-A West Virginia as a safeties coach and recruiter. At the time of his departure from Western he was the longest tenured assistant coach.

He had been the defensive coordinator for two seasons.

His hiring was confirmed by a worker in the West Virginia football office who said Elson was on his way to Bowling Green this morning.

Athletic director Wood Selig said earlier this week that he and President Gary Ransdell would spearhead a quick search in order to name a coach before spring practice, which is less than four weeks away.

A “short list” of candidates included Elson, but also co-offensive coordinator Willie Taggart, who like Elson finished his second season at that position.

A former player, and one of only two players to have his jersey retired, Taggart graduated in 1998 and was one of Western’s most prolific quarterbacks.