Arne Ferguson Signs 2-Year Deal as WOU Leader

Interim tag is removed; Ferguson is WOU’s head football coach

MONMOUTH, Ore. – It’s official, Arne Ferguson is Western Oregon University’s head football coach.

After working for the past year as the interim leader of the program, Ferguson signed a two-year contract yesterday (Tuesday).  His Wolves won the final three games of the 2005 season to finish 5-6 on the year, winning four more games than the 2004 squad did.

“Obviously, we were pleased with the progress that the football program made this year,” said WOU athletic director Jon Carey.  “All that we anticipated happening in the areas of improvement, did happen.  As we go into the recruiting season, we felt that it was very important to have the right guy in place as the leader of this program.”

The Wolves began the 2005 year with an impressive 35-0 win over Willamette in Ferguson’s debut, and ended Great Northwest Athletic Conference play with a near-perfect 28-7 road victory over Western Washington.

“It’s nice to solidify this right before we head into recruiting,” Ferguson said.  “I feel really good about where we are headed right now.  We finished on a very strong note and the future is bright for WOU football.  I am excited about continuing the push.”

Ferguson, a Vale, Ore. native who played for the Wolves in the mid 1980’s, was a three-time all-conference pick as a defensive back. He began his coaching career at WOU in 1992.  He has served as the defensive coordinator since 1997, a role that he continues fill while the head coach.

“I am very encouraged about the direction President (John) Minahan, Jon Carey and our foundation folks have taken,” Ferguson continued.  “They are committed to taking steps to give us a chance to be successful in the future.”
  
The 40-year-old teaches in WOU’s health and physical education department and lives in Salem with wife April.  They have two sons, Logan (4) and Brooks (2).