It didn’t take former Emporia State football coach Dave Wiemers long to make a return to the MIAA.
Wiemers, who resigned as Hornets head coach after the 2006 season, has been hired as Pittsburg State’s defensive coordinator, the university released in a statement Thursday.
“There were only a few things out there that we were going to leave Texas for. Something like Pitt State — having the opportunity to coach there — would be one of them,” Wiemers said when reached on his cell phone Thursday in Texas. “We’re feeling pretty fortunate we had the chance. Now, we’re going to try to take advantage of it.”
With the new job, Wiemers returns to where he started his collegiate coaching career.
Wiemers was a graduate assistant defensive line coach at PSU from 1992-93, helping the Gorillas to a pair of NCAA playoff appearances.
“I’m real familiar with the people there, so I think the whole transition will be smooth,” Wiemers said. “We enjoyed Texas and Tarleton. We had a lot of fun, but we’re excited about going up there to see if maybe we can get the Gorillas going again.”
Wiemers replaces Anton Stewart, who stepped down from the position after the season. He had been in charge of the unit since 1994.
“Dave comes to our staff with vast coaching experience,” PSU coach Chuck Broyles said. “He has great familiarity with the MIAA and our regional recruiting circle having spent six years as head coach at Emporia State.”
Wiemers compiled a 35-32 record in his six years as head coach at ESU.
The return of Wiemers to the league will set up what could be an emotional game at Welch Stadium next season.
Because of the MIAA rotation, PSU will travel to face ESU in Emporia.
“I’m sure there’ll be some things made of it, but that’s not going to be a big deal,” Wiemers said. “It’s still going to be about players playing. I’m not real concerned with that.
“I know we play next year, and it will be one of many games. I’m sure I’ll feel it that week because some of the kids that I was a part of will still be hanging around, but hopefully it’s just another game and we can let those kids get out there and decide who the best team is.”
Though he only served as offensive coordinator and head coach at ESU, Wiemers was previously a defensive coordinator from 1994-98 at Saginaw Valley State for then-coach Jerry Kill.
Last year, as offensive coordinator for Tarleton State, Wiemers’ unit averaged 37.2 points per game. TSU went 9-2 but failed to qualify for the Division-II playoffs.
Wiemers didn’t believe his layoff from the defensive side of the ball would cause any problems.
“As long as you’ve got good players, anybody can coach,” Wiemers said. “I think they’re excited about their team for next year. I’m excited just to get with those kids to find out what they’re made of, and hopefully I can get them in the right places so they’ll play well.”
Wiemers’ best years at ESU came early in his tenure, as he led the Hornets to a Mineral Water Bowl victory in 2002 and a share of the MIAA title in 2003, when he also was named the Wilson/MIAA Coach of the Year.
The Hornets struggled in Wiemers’ final three seasons. ESU finished 5-6 in 2004, 4-6 in 2005, then 3-8 in 2006. Wiemers resigned shortly after his team’s final loss in 2006 against Missouri Southern.
“(Dave)’s a proven recruiter and his experience as a head coach will enable him to provide added insights into the everyday workings of a college football program,” Broyles said.
A Clay Center native, Wiemers said the move back to Kansas was one he was looking forward to.
“For my immediate family, I think everybody’s pretty excited,” Wiemers said. “It was a no-brainer on the decision. It didn’t take long for [wife] Susie and [sons] Brett and Tyson to decide this is what we should do, so we did it.
“We’re going to be closer to some people that are close to us, so that will be a lot of fun.”