MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois head football coach Mark Hendrickson announced that running backs coach KiJuan Ware has been promoted to offensive coordinator. Entering his second year on the Leathernecks staff, Ware will continue to coach the running backs.

Last season, even with four different running backs missing time due to injuries Ware saw his backfield record five 100-yard rushing games including two during the North Dakota State game - the only time all the year the FCS national champion allowed that feat to happen.

True-freshman Nikko Watson, pressed into action during the eighth game of the season due to the rash of injuries, turned in three of those 100-yard rushing efforts and was named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer Team.

"I am excited to announce the promotion of KiJuan Ware to our offensive coordinator position. KiJuan has an outstanding knowledge of the game and I know his leadership on the offensive side of the ball will be tremendous. KiJuan will continue to coach the running backs and our offensive philosophy and concepts will remain the same," said Hendrickson.

Ware's running backs finished the season without losing a single fumble in 332 rushing attempts, the only time during Western's Division I era accomplishing that feat.

"I want to thank coach (Mark) Hendrickson for giving me this opportunity. The Leatherneck Football program has a strong tradition and produced numerous All-Americans on the offensive side of the ball. I've worked with great coaching staffs throughout my coaching career, which has helped influenced my philosophy. Coach Hendrickson rewrote many of the offensive record books during his time as offensive coordinator, he's a great resource to have," said Ware. "We have talent returning at all positions on offense, and I cannot wait for the start of spring practice."

Ware joined Western after spending two seasons at Miami (Ohio) where he helped orchestrate one of the best turnarounds in NCAA Division I history.

The Redhawks went from 1-11 in Ware's first year to 10-4 in 2010. He was part of the Mid-American Conference championship team and GoDaddy.com Bowl win over Middle Tennessee.

Miami went from averaging 71 rushing yards per game in 2009 to 98.3 in 2010 while recording five more rushing touchdowns (14 in 2010). He coached two-time MAC East Player of the Week and Most Valuable Player of the 2010 MAC title game (Thomas Merriweather).

Before his time at Miami, Ware spent the 2008 season at Notre Dame working as an offensive intern. He worked with the running backs and special teams as the Fighting Irish would claim the 2008 Hawaii Bowl championship.

Ware began his collegiate coaching career working at Springfield College for two years. During his time there, he worked with both running backs and receivers. Springfield captured consecutive Freedom Football Conference championships and back-to-back Division III rushing titles. He spent two seasons at each Dartmouth and Georgetown working as the recruiting coordinator and with the receivers before his time at Notre Dame.

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