The four candidates for the Quincy University football job have all made their way through town. If everything goes according to Marty Bell’s plan, the program should have a coach next week. As part of each candidate’s trip, they spent time with area media. I was able to meet all four candidates — the only member of the local media to do so. Here’s how I handicap the field, in order of chances to get the job:

1. Tom Pajic

Bell saved the best for last. Pajic is the most ready to come in and coach this team. He’s done great things at his current spot in Bloomsburg (Pa.), a Division II school. He has the Division II experience that the QU brass desires, but is lacking on any Midwestern ties. Then again none of the other finalists had a ton of recruiting ties to these parts. He’s cut from the same mold as Bell was — a long-time assistant looking for his first chance. Bell hired a coach with a similar background when he tabbed Jeni Garber as JD Gravina’s replacement for the women’s basketball program. Would not be surprised if Pajic was the next person in that mold to make his way to QU.

Pajic has had a hand in fund-raising at Bloomsburg. Fund-raising will be a big part of the QU job. Former QU coach Bill Terlisner was a tireless fund-raiser for his program and the school. Now, Pajic is a Bloomsburg grad, so it was a little easier for him to cultivate those relationships than if he were to come here and do it cold.

QU’s scholarship situation doesn’t bother him as the Hawks have more scholarships than what he currently has at Bloomsburg. He said all of the right things to the media on Thursday.

2. Phil Longo

Longo was the only one in the finalist pool with prior head coaching experience. He came across as a guy who would sleep in his office to get the job done. He was very energetic and appeared to do more background on the QU job than of the others. The guy was watching high school tape of current QU players to get an idea of what he had to work with here.

Longo’s family situation might hold him back. His wife is the head women’s basketball coach at Slippery Rock and there aren’t any openings for her around here. Plus, Slippery Rock’s offensive coordinator retired on the same day that Longo was here for his interview. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he was promoted to that spot. I would be a bit worried about Longo going from job to job, too, as he’s been a bit of a nomad. If he were to take the QU job, it would be his fourth job at four different schools in the last four seasons.

3. Bob James

The defensive coordinator at Wingate (N.C.) is a friend of Bell’s, which is likely the main reason he receive an interview. He’s been at Wingate the last four seasons as the leader of the defense, but his teams haven’t been the reason for the team’s success. Wingate was 5-6 this season and the team was last in its eight-team conference in points allowed. His teams have never been higher than fourth in the league in total defense, which includes the 2010 season when the school won its league crown and made the Division II playoffs.

4. Nick Anderson

The surprise finalist. He has never been a full-time coach in his professional career. He’s worked a ton of hours at Butler, but hasn’t had to deal with the number of responsibilities a head coach of a program must contend with. Anderson feels like a fall-back candidate. He would bring an enthusiasm and a knowledge of the school and the program’s history, but he’d need a good staff around him to help him get his feet under him.

QU football head coaching finalist Nick Anderson. He's currently the tight ends coach at Butler University.

QU football head coaching finalist Tom Pajic. He is currently the offensive coordinator at Bloomsburg.

QU football head coaching finalist Bobby James, who is currently the defensive coordinator at Wingate, N.C.

QU football head coaching finalist Phil Longo. He's currently the wide receivers coach at Slippery Rock.

Just a few hours after I posted my speculation on who some candidates for the QU coaching post would be, I was able to find out the final four.

Here’s a link to my story in Thursday’s Whig on who the finalists are.

An interesting group that I’m looking forward to talking to next week.

Phil Longo, who is the wide receivers coach at Slippery Rock, is the only one with any previous head coaching experience. It will be interesting if he can move since his wife is also the women’s basketball coach at Slippery Rock.

Bobby James is the defensive coordinator at Wingate (N.C). He’s been at several different schools — big and small — and has a nice background.

Tom Pagic in an interesting finalist. He’s been the offensive coordinator at Bloomsburg for eight years. Bloomsburg also happens to be his alma mater. The QU job may entice him since it would give him a chance to run a program for the first time.

Nick Anderson, a former Hawk, seems to be a bit of a wild card in this race. He’s only been an assistant at Butler, serving as a position coach there for five years. I actually covered him when he played for the Hawks. He was a three-year starter at defensive back from 2000-2002.

I had none of the names correct in my post from Wednesday, but I had the backgrounds pegged. Two of these guys are currently in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference — Longo and Pagic. One of them has a Drake background — James — and the other has ties to the school — Anderson.

QU Athletic Director Marty Bell seems to be on track for the Dec. 15 deadline he hoped to hit. That’s the final day of finals for the fall semester.

One of the things that every newspaper does when there is a job opening is speculate on who the next coach is going to be.

That’s much easier to do at the major college level than it at a small Division II school like Quincy University. Knowing Quincy University Athletic Director Marty Bell and what he’s looking for in a hire, I’ve made up a short list of people who could be running the show for the Hawks next fall.

Bell, a Pennsylvania native, loves to go back to his home roots to hire people. His top assistant for men’s basketball, Jon Perry, worked under Bell’s long-time boss, Kurt Kanaskie, at Penn State. He plucked QU’s women’s volleyball coach, Jen Constantino, from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. Bell spent many years in the PSAC while at Lock Haven and Indiana (Pa.).

I have no insider knowledge about which way Bell is going to proceed. These are purely guesses. I will say that I will be shocked if the new coach doesn’t come from somewhere were Bell has been previously — the PSAC, with a heavy lean toward someone from Indiana (Pa.), or Drake, where he was an assistant coach before coming to QU. If he goes outside of that box, I’d be shocked.

The best guesses (with emphasis on guesses)

1. Roc Bellatoni

He was the defensive coordinator at Eastern Illinois University until recently. He had hoped to be considered to replace the retiring Bob Spoo, but was denied that chance by the EIU AD. Going from EIU, a Football Championship Subdivision school, to a Division II school like Quincy would be a step back career-wise for Bellatoni, who played collegiately at Iona. Before going to EIU, he was the defensive coordinator at — wait for it — Drake. He lacks the Division II experience that Bell is seeking, but has the recruiting contacts that Bell seeks and knows the Midwest, another plus. He won’t get paid as much here as he did at EIU, but he also doesn’t have a job now either. He was at EIU for 11 years, so he seems to like stability. This would give him a chance to run a program for the first time.

2. Luke Getsy

Until I started formulating this list I had no idea who Luke Getsy was. Heck, he may not even know where Quincy is or that there’s a university here. But this is my Indiana (Pa.) guess. He has some Division II roots. He served as the offensive coordinator at West Virginia Wesleyan, transforming that Division II school’s offensive attack, and has most recently been the offensive coordinator for the Crimson Hawks of IUP. A prolific quarterback at Akron, Getsy’s boss is Curt Cignetti, whose father, Frank, was the head coach at IUP when Bell was an assistant basketball coach there.  The Crimson Hawks went 7-3 this season and averaged 27.7 points per game. Gesty is a young guy — he’s only 27 — who’s probably eager to run his own program. He doesn’t have the Midwestern roots that Bell seems to be seeking.

Off the board guesses

3. Jim Unruh

He’s done it all at the high school level, so taking over the Hawks’ program would certainly be a new challenge for him. Of course, he doesn’t have any of the college experience that Bell desires, but his five state titles should make his resume look good. He knows the area, but has never recruited before. That doesn’t mean he couldn’t put some recruiters around him. It would be interesting to see if he could win on the college level. And the chances of Unruh having any interest is probably somewhere between none and next-to none. Then again we’re not talking about Gerry Faust going from Cincinnati Moeller to Notre Dame either.

4. Derek Leonard

He’s the head coach of the back-to-back Class 4A state champs from Rochester, the team that has ended Quincy Notre Dame’s season each of the last three years. One of his former players, Dan Camp, was QU’s top defender this year as a true freshman. All he’d have to do is recruit the Central State Eight’s best players and you’d think QU would be competitive. He’s been able to develop several Division I players, including this year’s quarterback Wes Lunt who is headed for Oklahoma State. Leonard has indicated he’d like to coach at the college level. Again, no prior Division II experience Bell is seeking.

The absurd guess

5. Ron Zook

There’s always a chance that Bell could lure the former University of Ilinois coach to become the new head coach and in turn he hires Turner Gill as offensive coordinator and Jack Del Rio as defensive coordinator. None of those guys would have to worry about getting paid since they got plenty of money from their previous employers.

The Hawks made it a happy first homecoming at Flinn Stadium on a overcast Saturday afternoon by drilling the first-year Cardinal program.

Here’s a look at Saturday’s stars:

1. Jarrod Sargent

The true freshman from Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin made the most of his first college start. He was on the receiving end of two touchdown bombs by fellow SHG alum Bobby Brenneisen. Sargent had all of one catch on the season before Saturday, but had scoring grabs of 53 and 62 yards. With senior John Casselberry out because of injury, Sargent slid right into the lineup and the Hawks’ offense didn’t miss a beat.

2. Cory Connolly

He was a menace on defense again. Though he made only two tackles, the sophomore from Aurora harassed Concordia QB Scott Galland for much of the first half. He was in the right place at the right time in the first quarter, picking up a fumble and returning it 9 yards for a touchdown. It was his first touchdown since the eighth-grade. He’s developing into one of the best defensive ends in the Mid-States Football Association.

3. Leon Spears

He only made one play, but it was a big one. The sophomore returned the opening kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown, setting the tone for a big day for the Hawks. His performance came on the heels of a rough day against Marian last week when he fumbled two kickoffs and muffed another.

DOBservations

The Hawks’ 55 first-half points established a school record, topping the 49 they put up in a 77-21 victory over Taylor at QU-Stadium back in 2003. … This was one of the few breaks in the Hawks’ grueling Mid-States Football Association Mideast Division schedule. They’ve already played Marion, ranked No. 4 in the NAIA, and still have games looming with No. 1 St. Xavier and No. 2 St. Francis (Ind.). When asked if getting a gimmie like Saturday’s made up for the three tough games, QU coach Bill Terlisner said: “I’m sure we probably would have had to play those three monsters in (MSFA) crossover games anyway. That’s one thing I’m not going to miss about the Mid-States is not getting nice scheduling.” … Spears’ kick return for a touchdown was QU’s first since Kehan Rahming did it in a game against Geneva (Pa.) in 2004.

After going the entire 2010 season without a win, the Hawks took care of their losing streak by breaking in Flinn Stadium with a win on Saturday night.

Here’s a look at QU’s stars:

1. Justin Dickens

After making seven TD catches as a freshman last year, everyone knew he could play. He elevated his game on Saturday, making two sick catches for touchdowns. He caught a 46-yard bomb from Bobby Brenneisen on QU’s first drive of the game. He was a little fortunate on that catch as the ball bounced off an Iowa Wesleyan defender. There wasn’t anything lucky about his second TD catch, an acrobatic grab in the back of the end zone in the final minute of the first half. He finished with 67 yards receiving on three catches.

2. Dan Camp

The true freshman linebacker from Rochester, Ill., made his presence felt in his first collegiate game. Camp led the Hawks with 11 tackles, including a key stop of Iowa Wesleyan quarterback Kevin McConnell to stunt the Tigers’ last drive of the game. QU coach Bill Terlisner raved about Camp in his postgame chats with the media. If Saturday’s a sign of things to come, the Hawks’ linebacking corps looks to be in good shape.

3. Bobby Brenneisen

Sure, he threw the two touchdown passes and finished with 209 yards passing on 15-of-27 passing. But he was just as important in the special teams. With the Hawks using the pooch punt near midfield, Brenneisen got off six punts for an average of 35.2 yards per punt. Four of his attempts were downed inside the 20. With the Hawks’ defense proving to be stout for much of the game, those punts helped keep the field position battle tilted in the Hawks’ favor.

DOBservations

The win was the 100th in the program’s history since its rebirth in 1986. QU is now 100-148-1 overall. … The game was the first night game at home in the current era. … The school is taking measures to make Flinn, which is the home of the Quincy High School Blue Devils, feel like the Hawks’ nest. The school will put up signage outside the stadium as well as inside on the press box. … The game was delayed 45 minutes thanks to lightning and didn’t get over until nearly 11 p.m. … In addition to the new field, the Hawks had new white helmets and new uniforms. … The Hawks’ offensive line didn’t allow a sack all game. … After connecting on all three of his field goal attempts last year, Brandon Mulloy banged a 30-yard attempt off the left upright for the first miss of his career. … Saturday marked the first time since Oct. 20, 2007 that both QU and Culver-Stockton College had won games on the same day.

The Hawks fell to 0-9 despite getting off to a great start on Saturday at QU-Stadium.

Here’s a look at Saturday’s stars:

1. Austin Fisher

In the Bearcats’ wing-T scheme, the quarterback is usually no more than a caretaker. Fisher showed why Carl Poekler mixes in the spread. He completed 10 of 15 passes for 195 yards and four touchdowns. He hit six different receivers and didn’t seem at all flustered when the Hawks put some pressure on him, which the QU front finally did for once.

2. Ohene Akuoku

The freshman from Springfield Southeast had all of seven tackles coming into the game. He had nine tackles and broke up a pass. His biggest stop came early in the game when the Bearcats tried a fake punt. He was the only Hawk who didn’t fall for the fake and wound up bringing down McKendree running back Marlone Chenault to help preserve the Hawks’ early lead.

3. Jason Rejfek

The McKendree linebacker had a problem keeping his helmet on during a portion of the game. He came up big all game long though with a team-high eight stops. He also recovered a fumble by QU quarterback Bobby Brenneisen that led to a score. He also had an interception of Brenneisen.

DOBservations

QU was without running back Sterling Ross, who missed the game with a left leg injury. …The Hawks led 14-3 at the end of the first quarter marked their first lead at the end of a quarter for the first time all season. … Former Hawks Ryan Smith and Emmitt Harriel, who are now defensive backs at McKendree, had little impact on the game. Smith had four tackles and Harriel had two stops. … QU had two sacks after having just two the entire season coming into the game. … With Culver-Stockton College’s 38-33 victory over Graceland to end a 32-game losing streak, Texas College of Tyler, Texas, and Edward Waters College of Jacksonville, Fla., now share the dubious honor of having the NAIA’s longest losing streak at 18 games. Dordt College of Sioux Center, Iowa is next at 17, Olivet Nazarene is fourth at 14, Kentucky Christian is fifth at 12 and QU is one of four teams tied for sixth with nine straight losses.

The Hawks fell to 0-2 in games in which they scored at least 50 points when they dropped a Mid-States Football Association Midwest Division game at QU-Stadium.

Here’s a look at Saturday’s stars:

1. Sterling Ross

The redshirt freshman had his coming out party against the Tigers. He had just 218 yards on the season coming into the game, but finished with 251 yards and two touchdowns on 30 attempts. Ross showed the ability to be elusive and strong in slashing his way through the Iowa Wesleyan defense. It looks like the Hawks may have finally found their feature back after a half season of looking for someone to assume that role.

2. Greg Fields

The Iowa Wesleyan senior made one of the biggest plays of the game early in the second quarter. With the game tied at 21, QU’s Earl Love had just intercepted a pass from Iowa Wesleyan quarterback Kevin McConnell near midfield. As Love tried to run the ball back, he got caught up in a traffic jam. Fields came in and swiped the ball from him and went 48 yards the other way for a touchdown. It was one of the weirdest touchdowns I’ve ever witnessed. Fields also caught a TD pass late in the game to help salt away the win.

3. Kevin McConnell

The Tigers’ quarterback played a key role in the Tigers’ win. He didn’t make many mistakes in tearing apart the Hawks’ secondary. He passed for 435 yards and five touchdowns. He made several key third-down conversion passes that kept drives alive and added 45 rushing yards. His poise in the pocket helped make the difference.

DOBservations

The win was Iowa Wesleyan’s first over QU since 1987. The Hawks now lead the all-time series 8-2. … At 0-7, QU is off to its worst start since Bill Terlisner’s first year when the Hawks lost their first nine games of the year in 2000. … QU was without freshman wide receiver Jeacky Charles, who missed the game with an ankle injury. The Hawks also didn’t have backup quarterback Trevor Durham available because of a head injury. … Ross credited his big day to the play of the Hawks’ offense line, which looked as good as it has all season, and the fact he has a new pair of cleats. … Iowa Wesleyan head coach Kent Anderson is in his first year at the college head coach after spending 16 years as a head coach in the German Football League. … If Hawks fans want to take any solace in other school’s problems, Culver-Stockton College set a dubious school record on Saturday, allowing the most points in school history in a 90-19 loss at Lindenwood. It was C-SC’s 31st straight loss.