In the early months of 1924, the college considered applications from 90 candidates for the position as the head football coach. On April 1, 1924, Paul Schissler was hired for the post. He had previously served as the head football coach at Lombard College in Galesburg, Illinois, had lost only one game (to Notre Dame) and outscored opponents 800 to 69 in three years at Lombard, and had been recommended to Oregon Agricultural by Knute Rockne.[3]