Kevin Ashcraft
MulesCentral Editor

In the annals of Central Missouri history, it does not take long to see that there have not been many quarterbacks that have started longer than a season or two and had much success. By no means does this say that Central has been without great quarterbacks. Names like Korrodi, Gile, Vining and Eckinger are strewn about the record book, but none had the kind of success that current Mules quarterback Eric Czerniewski is having over as many seasons.

The best comparables to what the junior is doing are Paul Kaiser, Jeff Phillips and Scott Loveland. Each of those three guys started at least three seasons under center for Central, and each are with Czerniewski in the top-four of every major career passing category.

It started with Co-Defensive Coordinator Gregg Nesbitt leaving to become the head coach at Truman State. After taking several assistants with him to Kirksville, we found out that Willie Fritz was leaving to be the head man at Division I Sam Houston St. He also took part of the staff.  Lastly, Division I Nicholls St. made Offensive Coordinator Charlie Stubbs their head coach.

On Tuesday January 19th, Central Missouri officially welcomed Jim Svoboda to the position of head coach. Svoboda is the 28th man to lead the Mules, and if his first press conference is any indication, fans of Central Missouri football have a lot to look forward to over the next few seasons.

Athletic Director Jerry Hughes hired Svoboda after 84 others applied for much-coveted post and were turned away. Hughes said Tuesday that when he saw Svoboda's offenses pound the Mules while at Northwest Missouri in the late 1990s that, "one of these days I am going to get that guy as our head coach."

Svoboda was very impressed with the situation. "This place has always been a coveted place....it has been envied across the country." Svoboda called Central "a special place", saying he is "humbled and invigorated by the challenge" to lead the Mules.

After Jim Svoboda's introductory press conference on January 19th, David Lee of KDKD Radio in Clinton and MulesCentral.com chatted with two men who has a hand in Svoboda's hiring. Lee met with Associate Athletics Director Shawn Jones, as well as Athletics Director Jerry Hughes.

In addition, Lee also provided the full audio of the press conference. The one-on-one with Svoboda starts before the 19:00 mark, followed by remarks from Jones and Hughes.