By ISU Sports Information
NORMAL – Another familiar face is set to join the Illinois State football coaching staff, as former Redbird wide receiver Corey Shandrick has accepted a position as the offensive assistant coach for head coach Brock Spack.
In his role as the offensive assistant coach, Shandrick will assist members of the offensive coaching staff with day-to-day coaching and preparation responsibilities. He fills the open spot vacated by Kane Keirnan, who was elevated to work with the Redbird wide receivers.
“It’s exciting for me as head coach to have several former players want to come back to this program as coaches,” Spack stated. “If they want to get into coaching, sometimes it’s better to go away for a while and learn somewhere else first before returning and that’s exactly what Corey did for the past two years as a graduate assistant at Missouri Western. A guy like Corey, who has played in our system, knows the terminology and has worked with the majority of the coaching staff, should have a seamless transition into this new role.”
A four-year letterwiner for the Redbirds from 2010-1013, Shandrick played in 34 games as a wide receiver for the Redbirds and caught 20 passes for 193 yards with two touchdowns in his career at Illinois State. He was also a standout special teams performer, averaging 19.8 yards per kick return on 13 attempts and recording 11 special teams tackles.
“It’s a dream to come back and coach for the program that I care so much about,” Shandrick said. “Most of the football values and philosophies I carry with me as a young coach were taught to me as a Redbird football player. So, to be able to return to the program and work alongside many of the coaches who taught me, is a tremendous opportunity.”
Shandrick recently finished his second season as a graduate assistant at Missouri Western State. The West Lafayette, Indiana, native worked primarily with the running backs as a member of the Griffon Football coaching staff.
The Griffon running backs averaged 180.5 yards per game in 2015 and three-time All-MIAA selection Raphael Spencer recorded his third 1,000-yard season of career with 1,188 yards and seven touchdowns. Spencer became just the second Griffon to rush for 4,000 yards in his career and ranks second all-time at MWSU with 4,234 rushing yards. He was aided by talented freshman Josh Caldwell, who had a breakout season and ran for 647 yards with six touchdowns.
“I like hiring former players because I think it means a little more to them having played here,” Spack said. “Corey brings a great skillset with him to this role and he will be a great fit once again for the Redbird Football program.”
