Three Leathernecks in 2016 Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Vote

Former coaches Lou Saban and Pete Rodriguez and player Rodney Harrison on the ballot

MACOMB, Ill. – Three members of the Leatherneck Football program are on the ballot for the 2016 Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan Vote. The online voting process is currently open.

Former head coaches Pete Rodriguez and Lou Saban, along with former All-American defensive back Rodney Harrison, are on the initial list of 108 modern-era nominees. They will be evaluated for their achievements and legacies.

Fans are invited to evaluate the careers and legacies of these all-time greats and select who they think should advance to the next round of consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2016.

PETE RODRIGUEZ:
According to the Associated Press story written last December following his passing, Pete Rodriguez was one of the first Hispanic coaches in pro football. Rodriguez worked for the Raiders, Cardinals, Redskins, Seahawks and Jaguars, as well as for two USFL and one CFL team. Rodriguez was a two-time special teams coach of the year and was selected by the Dallas Morning News as the top special teams coach of the 1990s.

He spent from 1979-82 as the Leathernecks' head coach, compiling a record of 14-28. Prior to becoming WIU's head coach, Rodriguez worked as an assistant coach from 1970-73 for Hall of Fame coach Darrell Mudra.

Rodriguez passed away in December 2014 at the age of 75.

LOU SABAN:
Saban spent three years in charge of Leatherneck Football, from 1957-59. His .788 winning percentage (20-5-1) still ranks second all-time in program history. The 1959 team is the only undefeated team in program history, finishing 9-0. That team and coach Saban are inducted into the Western Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame.

Saban, who played professional football, moved back to the professional ranks as a coach and was the inaugural coach for the Boston Patriots (1960-61), then later the Buffalo Bills. He was the 1964 AFL 'Coach of the Year'. Saban spent four years as coach of the Denver Broncos and would later come back and coach the Bills.

He finished 95-99-7 overall in the NFL and won two AFL championships with the Buffalo Bills (1964-65). Saban passed away in March 2009.

RODNEY HARRISON:
Harrison was a two-time All-American during his three years as a letterwinner at Western (1991-93). His 28 total tackles at Western Kentucky in 1993 still stands as a single-game WIU record.
From 1994 through 2008 Harrison played in the NFL, first for the San Diego Chargers (1994-2002) then the New England Patriots (2003-08).

He finished his career with 634 tackles, 30.5 sacks, 11 forced fumbles and 34 interceptions. He won two Super Bowl titles with the Patriots, and played in four championship games in all. In 1997 he became the first player in NFL history to score touchdowns on an interception return, fumble return and kickoff return in the same season. He's currently just one of two players all-time in NFL history with 30 sacks and 30 interceptions.

His playing days complete, Harrison works at NBC Sports as one of the studio personnel on the Football Night in America broadcast every Sunday.

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