After plucking Chris O'Leary from the NFL to run his defense, Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor is adding another veteran coach to his defensive staff.
Sources tell FootballScoop that Taylor is bringing Billy Kirkendall into the Broncos program as a defensive quality control coach.
He's been at FCS program Presbyterian as the special teams coordinator and safeties coach for the Blue Hose.
But Kirkendall has extensive experience following his playing career at Olivet College (Michigan).
Kirkendall served multiple seasons at Morehead State, another FCS program, and coached at Eastern Kentucky.
Earlier in his career, Kirkendall coached at Florida Tech.
Western Michigan is entering Year 3 under Taylor and again revamping staff after losing both offensive coordinator Billy Cosh and defensive coordinator Lou Esposito after Taylor's first season.
Just within the past week, WMU lost heralded young offensive line coach Trevor Mendelson to the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Broncos made a bowl in 2024 and are scheduled to open their 2025 season Aug.. 30 at in-state foe Michigan State, followed by a home game against North Texas and then another Big Ten money game -- this one Sept. 13 at Illinois.