Illinois State head football coach Denver Johnson announced Monday that assistant coach Scott Preston, who served as the Redbirds offensive coordinator for the last four seasons, will resign at the completion of the recruiting period effective February 6.
After getting married this past fall, I decided that it was time to make a change in my career, Preston said. I approached coach Johnson at the end of the season and was honest with him about my intention and hopes of running my own program. At his request, I agreed to stay on through the end of the recruiting season unless there was a conflicting job opportunity. I enjoyed my time at Illinois State and I wish Denver and his staff nothing but the best of luck in the years to come.
Preston came to Illinois State from Murray State along with Johnson. With the Racers, Preston worked two seasons under Johnson as the offensive coordinator.
I really hate to lose Scott, Johnson said. Hes been a loyal, integral part of our program. He brought maturity and experience to a young staff. Under Scotts leadership, we had some impressive offensive numbers. Scotts an outstanding football coach and I certainly hope that he finds the opportunity and challenge that hes looking for. I wish him the best of luck and I will forever be grateful for his contributions to Redbird football.
In 2003, Preston guided a Redbird offense that ranked No. 1 in the Gateway Football Conference with 420 yards per game and produced the leagues leading rusher, Sha-Ron Edwards, and receiver, Dwayne Smith. The ISU offense was powered by a school record 264.42 rushing yards per contest, which shattered the old mark by over 50 yards per game. Nationally, the Birds ranked No. 15 in total offense and No. 10 in rushing offense.
Four of Illinois States eight most prolific offensive days in the history of the program came by way of Prestons play calling, including a school record 733 yards of total offense against West Virginia Tech in 2000. The Palo Alto, Calif, native is also responsible for three of the Redbirds five most productive offensive seasons, including a school best 458.2 yards per game in 2000.
As the running backs coach, Preston also produced four 1,000-yard rushers in Willie Watts, Quincy Washington and Edwards in his four seasons.
