LAST WEEK, the big news from Emporia State University was the announcement of the new football coach, Garin Higgins. The transition between former football coach Dave Wiemers and Coach Higgins has been an emotional one for Hornet football fans.
Wiemers was well-liked and when the news came he wouldn’t be here next year, many fans were upset.
During the search for a new coach, there were two applicants with local ties who made the list of finalists — Higgins, who played at ESU, and Joe Bob Clements, who grew up in Emporia. Any time there are two candidates with local ties in the running, both will have strong supporters.
The person at the center of the debates was Emporia State athletic director Kent Wieser, and he was really in a no-win situation.
Our community has had a good debate over the last two months, but now we need to focus on the future.
Garin Higgins was selected as the coach and he has a big job to do. He will have to not only bring the team together but also work at bringing the football fans back together.
We need to make sure the football program has the resources and ticket sales to be successful.