JMU Weekend Wrap: New OC and Hoops Drops Elon

We’re in the thick of hoops season, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have one eye on Everett Withers and the football program at all times. After the Dukes had Co-Offensive Coordinator and play caller Drew Mehringer snatched up by the Houston Cougars, Withers had to find a replacement. Mehringer really came into his own as a playcaller and left some big shoes to fill. After a bit of internet speculation, JMU made if official and announced the hiring Brett Elliot heading into the weekend. He’ll serve as the Co-Offensive Coordinator and QB coach.

Much like he did with Mehringer, Withers poached a young guy from a top program with the Elliot hire. Elliot comes to JMU where he served on the coaching staff of Mississippi State as the quality control coordinator. He’s a former college QB who started his career at Utah playing for Withers former boss, Urban Meyer. He entered the 2003 season as the starter, but got hurt and lost his place to future NFL first round pick Alex Smith. Elliot transferred to DIII Linfield College, where he won a national championship and had a record breaking career. After college he had a brief stay with the San Diego Chargers before bouncing around the arena league and getting into to coaching in 2012 at Mississippi State.

Elliot is relatively inexperienced, but appears to bring some real potential to the table. He’s a talented QB who should be able to step in and build on the success Mehringer and Vad Lee had. At Mississippi State he had a chance to work with a bright group of offensive minds and a talented QB in Dak Prescott. Withers displayed an eye for young talent with the coaching staff he assembled last year. We expect similar success with the Elliot hire.

Men’s Hoops Drops Elon

The hoops team won its second game in a row after the dismissal of Andre Nation. Yohanny Dalembert and the Dukes knocked off Elon 75-72 in the Convo Saturday night. JMU controlled much of the game until a furious late run by Elon, and a series of misses from the free throw line by the Dukes, made it was closer than JMU fans wanted it to be. Yohanny Dalembert shined in the win, scoring 16 points on 6 for 7 shooting. YoYo also grabbed 12 boards. He probably would have eclipses the 20 point mark, if not for an uncharacteristically poor night from the stripe. He managed to hit only 4 of 10 free throws. Jackson Kent and Ron Curry also reached double figures, scoring 15 and 10 points respectively.

The win moved JMU to 11-8 overall and 4-2 in the CAA. Elon fell to 10-9 and 2-4 in league play. The Dukes are tied with UNCW and Hofstra for 3rd in the CAA. Brady and the Dukes have a big week with an important road trip to face a couple of contenders. JMU will play at Northeastern and Hofstra. Two wins and JMU will suddenly find itself in the mix for the CAA. Anything less than that, and they’ll be fighting it out with a pack of teams in the middle.