MACOMB, Ill. - Western Illinois head football coach Jared Elliott announced his 2020 coaching staff Monday (April 13).
The third-year coach welcomed four new faces in Cam Clark (defensive coordinator / safeties), Doug Patterson (offensive line), Zach Grant (running backs), and Jacques Washington (cornerbacks), while also announcing role changes for the current staff.
"I am very pleased and excited about the new additions and changes to our staff," said Elliott. "Most importantly, all of them are great men that are in this profession for the right reasons. Their character and vision align with who we are as Leathernecks. They are great teachers, and all share the same belief of developing young men."
Elevated to assistant head coach, Patrick Shepard will continue to serve as Western's special teams coordinator while also overseeing the Leathernecks' tight ends. Shepard joined the staff two seasons ago and was tasked with guiding the running backs.
He coached fullback Clint Ratkovich to back-to-back First Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors in 2018 and 2019, and the earlier season also saw running back Steve McShane ranked 47th in the nation, third in the MVFC, in rushing yards per carry.
Offensively, David Rocco continues to hold the title of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He will work alongside Doug Patterson (offensive line), Dyrell Roberts (wide receivers), and Zach Grant (running backs).
Clark joined the Leathernecks with coaching experience at the Division I (FBS and FCS) and NAIA levels -- capturing Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Sun Belt championship titles along the way – and he will serve as the team's defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Western's defensive staff returned John Haneline as the defensive run game coordinator and defensive line coach, and saw JP Boudreaux transition back to a linebackers coach. Boudreaux will also continue in his post as WIU's recruiting coordinator.
Former Iowa State standout Jacques Washington recently spent two seasons as UCLA's defensive analyst and will coach corners.
2020 Football Coaching Staff
Patrick Shepard - Assistant Head Coach / Special Team Coordinator / Tight Ends
David Rocco - Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks
Cam Clark - Defensive Coordinator / Safeties
John Haneline - Defensive Run Game Coordinator / Defensive Line
JP Boudreaux - Recruiting Coordinator / Linebackers
Doug Patterson - Offensive Line
Dyrell Roberts - Wide Receivers
Zach Grant - Running Backs
Jacques Washington – Cornerbacks
Western's 2020 schedule can be found here. Start times will be announced at a later date.
