Fox Football Connection with Lindenwood-Belleville

Next fall, Fox athletic director Nick Gianino will be able to drive 40 minutes to watch four Fox football players compete on the Lindenwood-Belleville University playing field.

Lindenwood-Belleville will be kicking off its inaugural football season. The coach of the new team, Jeff Fisher, also coached Fox athletic director Nick Gianino, when he played football at McKendree College (now University).

Fisher and Gianino have stayed close, and Fisher knew that players who came from Fox would fit right in to his new program.

“They’re all young men that I know come from a football program where hard work, dedication and commitment are the values that are stressed,” he said. “Those things are going to pay off.”

Brandon Pendrod, graduating this year, was recruited by Fisher. Fox graduates Jimmy Brewer and Zach Slavik were recruited out of high school by Lindenwood-St. Charles, and have now transferred to Lindenwood-Belleville. Bobby Ford started out at SEMO, and has also transferred.

Gianino isn’t the only Fox connection to the McKendree team. Coaches Kolin Peterson and Steve Kirk were there too. Fisher said they exhibited a great work ethic and desire for the game at McKendree.

“I know those are things that they’ve taken on in their coaching career, and that they stress, and demand from their guys, so I have a pretty good idea of about what we’re going to be getting,” he said.

Gianino said he like sending players to Fisher.

“I have a lot of respect for him and the programs he’s been a part of,” he said. “I know that the kids that come from here will fit that type of system.”

Fisher doesn’t know what positions any of them will be playing. He’ll figure that out in the fall.

“They’re all different,” he said. “I can just tell you, what we’re looking for is good football players that are going to work hard both in the classroom and the football field.

“The type of guys we’re looking for have that pioneering type spirit,” Fisher said. “They want to be part of building something from scratch.”