Jim Molinari is one of 2 finalists for Western Illinois job

[Da Coach]

Ball State assistant and former Bradley coach Jim Molinari and Oklahoma City (NAIA) coach (and former Kentucky Wesleyan coach) Ray Harper are reported to be the 2 finalists for the head coaching job at Western Illinois University. Coach Molinari is reported to be in Macomb this week for another interview, and WIU says they should have a new coach by "later this week or early next week".

http://www.wgem.com/Sports/index.php?ID=23446

In this blog, the writer thinks Jim Molinari is the best choice, but he reports that Ray Harper may already have resigned his job at Oklahoma City University, and told people he is moving to a Division I job--

http://www.wgem.com/Blogs/sports_blog.php

Ray Harper resigns from Oklahoma City-

http://media.www.ocustupub.com/media/storage/paper1152/news/2008/04/08/Sports/Coach.Harper.Resigns-3310905.shtml?xmlsyn=1

[BradleyBrave]

I really want Mo to get another job. It doesn't sound like they're leaning his direction, but I hope they go with him.

[Out of Balance]

I really want Mo to get another job. It doesn't sound like they're leaning his direction, but I hope they go with him.

I also hope Mo gets this job. He is a good person, coach and this would being him closer to his family. Good luck Mo!

[2bradleyfans]

My vote is for Mo.

[houstontxbrave]

Ill say it again. If the WIU administration has any brains and Mo is interested in their job they need to hire him. I understand Harper is a good coach with success at the NAIA level and is an up and coming coach.

Mo is a known winner at the D1 level, has shown commitment and simply is a hard worker who will make the program respectable and likely wont be looking to move on in 3-4 years.

[Braves4Life]

I think the decision will rest with where WIU wants to put their priorities -- Win at any cost, or to field a competitive program and graduate great student athletes.

My guess would be that, being WIU, they will choose instant success over sustained excellence in Mo and choose Harper. I can see Harper having quick success and leaving their program in shambles/scandal. This is just my hunch.

[Big Mike]

This would be a good gig for JM.......I wonder if his son Billy would end up playing for him if he getws the job?

[Murph]

WIU would be a nice fit for Mo, hope he gets the job.

[Da Coach]

This article suggests that Ray Harper is the front-runner for the job. He interviews at WIU today.

http://www.wgem.com/Sports/index.php?ID=23495

The PJ Star has an article about the WIU job today--

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/041008/WIU_BGA4MMBI.077.php

[squirrel]

There's a report that Harper is taking the assistant's job at WKU: http://newsok.com/article/3227901/1207829174

. . .meaning if true, the job is Mo's.

[lefty]

There's a report that Harper is taking the assistant's job at WKU: http://newsok.com/article/3227901/1207829174

. . .meaning if true, the job is Mo's.

I certainly hope it's true

[Da Coach]

There's a report that Harper is taking the assistant's job at WKU: http://newsok.com/article/3227901/1207829174

. . .meaning if true, the job is Mo's.

Harper is a friend of Ken McDonald who was just hired as the head coach at WKU. The article cited also says--
"He also is one of two finalists for the head coaching job at Western Illinois, which has lost 104 of 144 games in the five seasons since former Oklahoma assistant Jim Kerwin left that school."

In an interview on another site, Harper said that he has been offered the WKU assistant coach job, but that he will pursure the WIU head coaching job first, and then take the WKU job if he does not get the WIU job. I don't think this article excludes him from getting the WIU job, and some sources say he is the front-runner. I hope not, I want to see Mo get it.