[jpfine]

Chambers declines Offensive Coordinator job at Bucknell

Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior Writer
March 22, 2013
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Lewisburg, PA - After a month and some change of catastrophe for the Chippewas, it finally looks like something good may happen for the Central Michigan football program.

We have received word that Andrew Chambers, seemingly the leading candidate for the Central Michigan head coaching job, has been offered a promotion from Wide Receiver coach to Offensive Coordinator for the Bucknell Bison - and declined. Reportedly, the contract was for a two-year stint at the job and would be extended, if necessary, to upwards of five-years added onto the contract.

Quote: Originally Posted by Bucknell Head Coach Joe Susan

I thought that Andrew would jump at the opportunity to move up in our system of coaches. After [Bucknell Offensive Coordinator] Brian [Bossard] retired from coaching, we thought [Andrew] was the prime candidate to build up our offense.

In the past three years, Susan, along with Chambers, has led the Bison to a cumulative record of 10-23, including a 1-10 season in 2010. Chambers has come along for the ride with Susan at Bucknell, joining Bucknell with Susan after he left Western Illinois. Susan was the offensive coordinator for the Leathernecks from 2006 to 2009, before he left to become head coach of Bucknell.

Chambers joined Western Illinois for the 2009 season and left when Susan left for Bucknell. Prior to Wide Receiver Coach at Western Illinois, the young, 33-year old started coaching when he was 25 years old at Missouri State. After just a year there being WR Coach, he was promoted to Offensive Coordinator of the Bears and stayed there until the 2008 season, where he moved to Western Illinois.

Chambers' action to decline this offer is thought to be so that he can take the position at Central Michigan. Chambers is, supposedly, in negotiations with Central Michigan AD, Dave Heeke, about the head coaching job that opened up. Chambers is, seemingly, the top candidate to fill the position that Dan Enos left.

On the flipside, it can be assumed that the Bison were trying to deflect these negotiations by offering Chambers a better position in the program. If this were true, then it seems as though Chambers may have made his decision and that the Bucknell Athletic Department's efforts failed.

If Chambers does decide to take the job at Central Michigan, he will be making the switch to the FBS, who has recently changed to a promotion-relegation system. Central Michigan has been placed in the bottom tier, which has caused some uproar from the Chippewas. However, Heeke was reportedly talking about Chambers when he said,"I feel that we're getting real close to picking up a guy for our head coaching job. He's exactly who we're looking for to bring this program from Tier 8 all the way up to Tier 1 and he believes that he can bring us there, too." This was said after it was announced that Mike Cummings, the former Central Michigan offensive coordinator, has left the program.

It has been reported that Heeke will have his head coach for the 2013 season quite soon.

Chambers and Bucknell Athletic Director, John Hardt, both declined to comment on this situation.