Former Elmwood/Brimfield quarterback Nick McCormick will be named the next Canton head football coach, pending approval at Monday’s school board meeting.
McCormick replaces Nick Wright, who resigned in November following four seasons at the Mid-Illini Conference school. The Little Giants went 1-8 in 2023, ending their regular season with a 14-7 victory over Limestone in Week 9.
McCormick, a 2013 Prairieland all-conference player, was affected greatly by the Peoria County program run by hall of fame coach Todd Hollis.
“The program that coach Hollis ran out there in Elmwood made a huge difference on my life,” said McCormick, a 2014 Brimfield grad. “The way it was made about more than just the game of football. It’s been a desire of mine to be a head coach and do the same for a community, as well.”
“I saw the opening out there at Canton, and I knew that it was a community that loved its football program and thought it would be a great place to do something like that.”
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Hollis says he and his former two-year QB1 had a few conversations regarding taking the Canton job.
“He really still appreciates our approach to the part of football that is away from football,” Hollis said. “The character, education and men of virtue.
“… I think (Canton is) definitely going to see somebody who’s going to take an off-the-field approach in addition to on-the-field. He’s going to take the opportunity to try and build young men.”
McCormick, who played football at NCAA Division III Crown College, spent the last six years teaching and coaching at Illinois Valley Central in Chillicothe, working his way up through the underclass ranks and finally took over the reigns as the varsity offensive coordinator during the 2023 season. The Grey…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/former-peoria-area-star-qb-230003859.html
Author : Journal Star
Publish date : 2024-03-15 23:00:03
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