The
announcement of assistant coach Chad Braun met with approval from his most
crucial audience: his team.
“We are
ecstatic about Braun taking over,” said junior Alex Sheppard, defensive back.
“We have the offensive tools to put up 40 points a game and we have the
athletes to win the MWC championship. We just have to put players in the
position to be successful and I think Braun can do that.”
Coach
Braun will take up the reins after Coach Steve Bell, head coach for 15 years
that led to a 113-44 overall record, resigned to accept the head coach position
at Augustana College. Assistant coach David Ragone followed.
“They (Bell and Ragone) are great coaches that were huge parts of
the program for many years,” said junior Brian Johnson, defensive lineman. “With
that being said though, the team is very excited about the new change. I
honestly believe that the best man for the job was Coach Braun…The team is very
excited to get to work under his direction.”
Braun
credits Bell for “giving him a shot” when he hired him as defensive coordinator
in 2000, as well as his family, the administration for the appointment, and the
Fighting Scots coaches and players over the years.
 |
| Former assistant coach and defensive coordinator Chad Braun replaces former head coach Steve Bell. |
“I am so excited to lead this group of young men,” Braun said. “I
love Monmouth College and everything that it represents. I love this community.
I can't wait to get started.”
During Braun’s tenure,
the defense has been among the nation’s leaders in numerous categories,
including turnover margin, interceptions, pass defense efficiency and total
defense. In 2014, the Scots’ defense led the Midwest Conference in nearly every
defensive category, including total defense (280.5 ypg) and interceptions (21).
“I have a great group of
young men to lead,” Braun said. “I am going to hold them to a high
standard of excellence not only on the field, but in the classroom, and in the
community.”
Braun said he is working
quickly to form his supporting staff, planning to retain as much of the
coaching staff as possible.
President Clarence Wyatt
announced via email that a press conference will be held today, Tuesday in
Glennie Gymnasium at 3:30 p.m for faculty, staff and students to formally
congratulate Braun.
Cassie Burton
Courier Editor-in-Chief
