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 WCU head football coach Dennis Wagner addressed members of the media during Friday's formal introduction. |
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Jan. 4, 2008
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Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina introduced Dennis Wagner as its 12th head football coach in front of a standing room only crowd Friday afternoon. Over 200 people and various media outlets packed into the first floor Hospitality Room of the Ramsey Center to welcome the new coach who was officially announced back on Dec. 31.
WCU Athletics Director Chip Smith opened with a brief introduction where he outlined the search for a new head coach before introducing Wagner.
"Today is the culmination of a long and deliberate process we started a few weeks back. The whole purpose of that process was to find someone who could come in and lead the Catamount football team," Smith opened. "Throughout this whole process, we were looking for a person who had experience as a head coach, who had the reputation of being a winner. And we were looking for someone who was passionate about their belief that we could - and would - be successful in the Southern Conference. Dennis Wagner fit every one of those descriptions."
Wagner began meeting with supporters at 1:30 pm prior to the press conference. After making a few brief statements, he met with members of the media before returning to the throng which had gathered for the event and continued to shake hands and share stories until nearly 4:00 pm.
"It's great to be here. And I greatly appreciate the opportunity to be the head coach here at Western Carolina. It's a marriage made in heaven for me and my family," said Wagner after being introduced to the audience by Smith. "I'm looking forward to the challenge of being the coach here. Obviously with the turnout today and the support of the people here, I think everything is in place to be successful here. I know this is a place that is hungry, and we're hungry."
Asked about his new team during the media conference, Wagner stated that with the relative quickness in the hire, he had not had a chance to meet with his players - but had already scheduled a meeting with his returning squad.
"I haven't seen any film and I've talked to just a couple of players but I know they are just like the community and the university. They are hungry to get started and to turn this thing around," Wagner said.
Wagner comes to Cullowhee with more than two decades of coaching experience, including seven as a head coach at Wayne State College in Nebraska. He turned around the NCAA Division II program which had posted a 2-29 record - including having dropped 11 straight - in its three seasons prior to his arrival. The Waverly, Iowa, native finished with a 44-37-1 overall record at WSC.
Wagner spent the last four seasons at Nebraska leading the Cornhusker offensive linemen during the program's transition from the option-based offensive attack to the West Coast offense. He has made coaching stops at St. Cloud (Minn.) State, Luther College, UNLV and Fresno State.
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