SUMMIT PODCAST
Scott Holland
MACOMB – When head coach Rob Jeter took over the Western Illinois men’s basketball program, the new leader had the tall task of replenishing a roster that saw the majority of the team leave via transfer.
Jeter worked quickly, bringing aboard a new staff that signed 13 new faces of all sizes, ages and backgrounds.
Two of those players come via grad transfer in Rod Johnson and Will Carius.
Though both are new to WIU, they are not new to the staff as both are well traveled, but well versed in the system that Jeter hopes to run.
“It was the coaching staff, I felt like I had a real solid relationship with them over the last five, six years,” Johnson, who comes to WIU from Tennessee-Chattanooga. “They recruited me out of high school, I used to play for Coach Chad Boudreau and Kyle Heikkinen at Highland Community College, after that I transferred to Chattanooga, then I got the grad year because of tearing my meniscus my junior year, so when I got the year of eligibility back, I was talking to the coaches and it was a no brainer for me.”
And with his experience, Johnson has no problem joining with Carius as serving as veteran presences on the roster.
“Showing them the ropes when it comes to time management, get to practice on time, get to lifting early, teach them how to get proper nutrition, do all the right things, be a good person in the community when you go places,” Johnson said of the leadership role. “It’s really teaching them everything I’ve learned, everything Will has learned the last four years in college to help them succeed.”
For Carius, his journey to Macomb has also been an interesting one.
The Pleasant Valley, Iowa native first began his career at Northern Michigan University before transferring to Monmouth College.
And now in his final season, Carius decided to make the step up to Division I and play at WIU.
“I think being close to home was a big thing, I only live about an hour and a half away, it was nice with only having one year left to stay home and close to family and be around them,” Carius said. “Also, I’ve known the coaching staff pretty well from the past and some of the players too so it’s a good mix of a bunch of different positives that did make it a good option.”
Carius also has the chance to make history this season.
After playing at Division II Northern Michigan and Division III Monmouth, he can become the second player in NCAA men’s basketball history to play at all three levels.
“I think one other person has, it’s kind of crazy,” he said. “To me, I never really thought about doing it this way but it’s kind of how my college career has flowed. I can’t complain how it’s gone, I’ve ended up at some really good spots and I’m happy with how things have gone, it’s not chasing that recognition for a record, just how things have gone.”
