(Peru, Neb.) – While the coronavirus pandemic caused many challenges for all athletic teams, it also impacted the work of many sports information directors.
 
In this case, sometimes things were a little overlooked which included introducing four new members of the Peru State football coaching staff.
 
Head coach Casey Creehan had the opportunity to rework his football coaching staff and was able to hire four new individuals. Obviously, the entire Bobcat football staff had challenges with COVID-19 disrupting their season, but the crew is busy recruiting and planning for better things for the 2021 fall season.

The four new coaches hired include Tanner McCormick, Will Fields, Eric Yates, and Jake Wilson. McCormick and Fields are fulltime hires while Yates is a part-time assistant. Wilson is one of four graduate assistants.
 
Tanner McCormick – Offensive Coordinator

 
Coach McCormick is overseeing the development of an exciting multiple spread attack that will challenge Bobcat opponents. He has the responsibility of working with the quarterbacks.
 
In 2019 at Eastern Kentucky, McCormick helped the Colonel offense rank 26th in the country in rushing.

During the spring of 2018, he was the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at Lyon College in Batesville, Arkansas.  He also coached the punters and kickers.

McCormick coached at Alderson Broaddus University (ABU) in Philippi, West Virginia, from 2015 to 2017. He was the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach during the 2017 season after previously working as the offensive pass game coordinator, running backs and tight ends coach. McCormick helped ABU capture the 2016 GMAC Championship.

From 2012 to 2015, McCormick was on the staff at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Connecticut. He started as the offensive pass game coordinator and wide receivers' coach in 2012 and 2013, was the defensive pass game coordinator in 2014, and was then promoted to co-offensive coordinator in the spring of 2015.

McCormick earned a bachelor's degree in history and political science at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio. The Rutherford B Hayes High School (Delaware, Ohio) alum played wide receiver for Otterbein where he graduated in 2010. He finished with 36 catches for 695 yards and seven touchdowns during his final two seasons.
 
Will Fields – Defensive Coordinator
 

Coach Will Fields brings a wealth of experience to the Bobcat defense as a player and coach in the Canadian Football League (CFL)/XFL. With his expertise, Fields has the main responsibility for the defensive backs.
 
After his college playing career at the University of Houston, Coach Fields spent six seasons as a defensive back in the CFL. Fields made his coaching debut in the CFL in 2015 as the BC Lions assistant defensive backs coach and defensive quality control coach. His secondary finished tied for second place in the CFL with 23 interceptions. In 2016 Coach Fields was named the assistant defensive backs coach and defensive quality control coach for the Montreal Alouettes.
 
Fields spent one season as a member of the Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, B.C., Canada) coaching staff in 2014.
 
Most recently Fields was with the XFL Tampa Vipers as the secondary coach.
 
The McKeesport, Pa., native made his coaching debut at Cypress Christian High School in Houston where he was the defensive backs coach from 2010 to 2013 seasons.
 
Fields had a six-year career in the CFL as a member of the Calgary Stampeders (2001-04) and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2005-06) where he appeared in 87 games. He recorded 223 defensive tackles and 13 interceptions. As a member of the Stampeders, Fields and his teammates won the Grey Cup in 2001 at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.
 
Eric Yates – Coaching Assistant
 
Yates is serving as a coaching assistant for Peru State with the responsibilities for special teams, tight ends, and fullbacks.

 
The Ohio native graduated from Dublin Scioto High School and then from Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. Prior to transferring to Otterbein, Yates attended the Naval Academy his freshman year.
 
Yates was a three-year starter for the Cardinals and graduated with a bachelor of science in math education.  He started his coaching career as an assistant coach in 2012 at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Connecticut. Yates served as the run game coordinator and running backs coach for the Colonials through the 2015 school year. 
 
Before joining the Bobcats, Eric taught Math and coached football and wrestling in Gypsum and Denver, Colorado.
 
Jake Wilson – Graduate Assistant
 
From Weeki Wachee, Fla., Wilson is serving as a graduate assistant for the Peru State football team. His responsibilities include working with the defensive line and special teams.

 
Wilson played his college ball at Lyon College in Batesville, Ark., with his last two years under now Bobcat head coach Casey Creehan. He graduated from Lyon with a bachelor of science in business management and a minor in physical education in the spring of 2020.
 
Following his final season, Wilson served as a student assistant coach at Lyon.
 
In addition to the four hires, the rest of Creehan's staff includes longtime coaching assistant Lou Varley and three former Bobcats who are serving as graduate assistants – Colton Audsley, Jake Coughlin, and Justin Barnes.
 
Peru State finished its coronavirus-shortened season with a 1-2 record.