The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

I just went back through the old "2014 Official Recruiting Thread" just for kicks because I remember all of the belittling comments about how "recruiting doesn't matter" and "P.J. can't coach anyways". It's quite hilarious to see all of the comments looking back on it now. I took out names just to show a little bit of sensitivity to it and not put everyone on blast... but I figure most of you can figure out who the majority of these come from.

This is only a SMALL sampling of it all. Enjoy.

(06-23-2013 10:30 AM) Wrote:  Must be that time of year. Fans getting overly exuberant over 17 and 18 year old recruits. Only time will tell if these guys can play D1 ball.

(10-13-2013 06:15 PM) Wrote:  Which is why I pay no homage to verbals. Why we got our chests all pumped out over those is beyond me.

(10-13-2013 07:30 PM) Wrote:  I think we might want to wait for the LOI's. I work with a man who's boy is through the process right now, I asked him about our situation. He said he would let the kid think what he wants until it's really decision time, but no way does he let his boy join a trainwreck filled with the nonsense and distractions that our gig has.

Fortunately his kid is BCS and we don't have our eye on him.

(10-15-2013 04:00 PM) Wrote:  So does this make Fleck the Jim Culhane of the football program? Can recruit with the best of them, but can't coach his way out of a paper bag.

(11-20-2013 01:28 PM) Wrote:  How many of these kids will ever actually see the field? And it takes 2 or 3 years before we know what most of them are anyways. So all this promise about this recruiting class effecting next season is bogus.

(11-20-2013 01:29 PM) Wrote:  I think that is what is most annoying, the collective group just buying into this with no objective insight to the spin they're being fed.

(01-11-2014 03:40 PM) Wrote:  Fleck is recruiting a great class. He may be best recruiter we've ever had.

Within three years (all his recruits in program) we will be where NIU was in winning MAC West, MACC, in consideration for major bowl game.

Absolutely inspired hire by Dunn. Don't know why I didn't see it before.

Thanks for opening my eyes.

(01-11-2014 07:22 PM) Wrote:  And since you "See All, Know All" - we'll still be ranked the best MAC class in 3-4 weeks.

What could go wrong?

(01-24-2014 02:19 PM) Wrote:  I personally don't think his system will work even with talent well above (according to some) what we normally get.

On a side note, great call here!

(01-26-2014 08:01 PM)Stampede your face!! Wrote:  

(01-26-2014 06:37 PM)flushtheherd Wrote:  Now to get back on topic... Is there one particular recruit in the list that you think stands out as third straight Freshman of the Year candidate? Wouldn't it be great to take that award THREE straight times! Obviously this is all speculation and primarily a conversation starter in this long off season...

Jarvion Franklin.

Its usually going to be an offensive guy, so that is why I went with Franklin. He is the one out of the running backs I kind of expect to take over. Ekwoge is coming off a knee injury, and I'm not sure Bogan is an every down guy because of his size.

That last quote was the best to read, great call!

Last season was worth it IF Fleck gets the program to a level its never been before i.e. 10 wins, bowl win, MACC winner. We aren't there yet though. We've all seen teams that are above .500 with lots of good players and a seemingly bright future. I don't begrudge anyone their legitimate concern after 1-11 or anything they said about the product on the field. Hopefully the progress demonstrated on the field with such a young roster alleviates concern and we as a fan base let this staff go to work without the resentment that many here have demonstrated towards them and to PJ specifically but I'm not ready to start taking victory laps at anyones expense (no matter how incessantly negative they've been).

Disagree. Last year was a clean up and necessary to change the culture of the program. It was going to be lousy no matter who the coach was. 2012 showed the program as it had existed 05-11 was done. You can't expect miracles.

All the negative chirpers should be eating all their words.

As tempting as it must be, Liam is being the classiest and rising above the fray. The rest of you guys are more worried about being on a web board and right rather than being fans of WMU.

I would think you would be happy that there is some hope after last year?

I think you both have great points.

(10-19-2014 12:04 PM)Liam9903 Wrote:  Last season was worth it IF Fleck gets the program to a level its never been before i.e. 10 wins, bowl win, MACC winner. We aren't there yet though.

Hopefully the progress demonstrated on the field with such a young roster alleviates concern and we as a fan base let this staff go to work without the resentment that many here have demonstrated towards them and to PJ specifically but I'm not ready to start taking victory laps at anyones expense (no matter how incessantly negative they've been).

Also agree with this:

(10-19-2014 12:13 PM)ghost bronco Wrote:  Last year was a clean up and necessary to change the culture of the program. It was going to be lousy no matter who the coach was. 2012 showed the program as it had existed 05-11 was done. You can't expect miracles.

Quote:Last season was worth it IF Fleck gets the program to a level its never been before i.e. 10 wins, bowl win, MACC winner.

Well, last season (1-11) was worth it (over expected 4-8ish), if WMU becomes a winning program -- basically Cubit at his peak, but consistently (until Fleck would get hired elsewhere).

Which would I rather have?

COACH CUBNELL: 4-8, 5-7, 6-6, 7-5, 6-6, 7-5, 7-5, 7-5, 6-6...

COACH FLECK: 1-11, 6-6, 8-4, 9-3, 7-5, 8-4, 9-3 (hired elsewhere)

I wouldn't care so much about the 1st season. With our injuries and any new coach, we weren't expected to be .500 or better anyway. It was more a thing of Embarrassment for a while, and mainly Fear of everything going down the toilet. This season seems to be putting that to rest (knock on wood).

What if he gets his nine this year and goes elsewhere?

I'd just like to give credit the not-so-many of us here who gave the coach a fair chance at creating a winning program and trying to change a culture of mediocrity. Those who were wise enough to realize it probably would not be done in one season. Those who avoided bashing the coach, his style, his personal life, calling him absurd names. There is still work to be done, but it looks like there are good things on the horizon for the program. I'm glad that this is a team that everyone is enjoying, whether you were anti-fleck, pro-fleck, or in the middle somewhere. Finally something to cheer about. I hope we keep this momentum going all the way to a bowl game.

I'm just happy their play on the field is much improved. I'm not overly concerned with win totals this season, nor next year when the schedule is much tougher. Just want to see improvement, and the W's will take care of themselves. I do want this team to be a legitimate contender and maybe even frontrunner for the MAC title in Fleck's fourth year.

I'm not worried about Coach Fleck being hired elsewhere if he were to win 9 games this season. Why?

1. He would still be a sub .500 head coach thanks yo his 1-11 season last year.
2. Since Turner Gill, the power schools are getting more and more leery of hiring non-power conference coaches because they have not been living up to expectations. Just ask scUM.
3. He only has 1 1/2 years experience as a head coach.
4. They want to see if coaches can build and maintain a high level of success.

If the Broncos are continually in the mix for the MACC and a major bowl over the next 4 years then I will start worrying about who the next coach will be.

(10-19-2014 05:38 PM)John52168 Wrote:  I'm not worried about Coach Fleck being hired elsewhere if he were to win 9 games this season. Why?

1. He would still be a sub .500 head coach thanks yo his 1-11 season last year.
2. Since Turner Gill, the power schools are getting more and more leery of hiring non-power conference coaches because they have not been living up to expectations. Just ask scUM.
3. He only has 1 1/2 years experience as a head coach.
4. They want to see if coaches can build and maintain a high level of success.

If the Broncos are continually in the mix for the MACC and a major bowl over the next 4 years then I will start worrying about who the next coach will be.

I agree. He isn't going to win 9 this year anyway. I think it's more 6 or 7 and that isn't going to get him hired away. Even if he gets to 8, I think if you really look at it, we've had a favorable schedule this season in a MAC that lacks a dominant team (maybe Toledo?). BG was a real big win for WMU, but ultimately, Rod Carey has a couple wins out of conference that makes BCS schools eyes pop.

If a lower tier power 5 is looking for a recruiter with energy, we may be in trouble, but I just think it's too early for a power 5 to make that call.

(10-19-2014 05:04 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  COACH FLECK: 1-11, 6-6, 8-4, 9-3, 7-5, 8-4, 9-3 (hired elsewhere)

If this happened, he'd be gone and snatched up in year 3, year 4 at the latest. DB will get his wish.

Quote:I personally don't think his system will work even with talent well above (according to some) what we normally get.

My quote I believe and we are not running anywhere near the system we ran last year. Not even close. The OC has done a nice job so far. Still think we have more left in the tank.

(10-19-2014 05:57 PM)Kimbosucks Wrote:  

Quote:I personally don't think his system will work even with talent well above (according to some) what we normally get.

My quote I believe and we are not running anywhere near the system we ran last year. Not even close. The OC has done a nice job so far. Still think we have more left in the tank.

Agree. Lots of wrinkles left.

My take has always been the guy was a young inexperienced hire with a high motor, lots of potential, and an unfortunate knack of saying unsatisfying things. The advice of several of us was cut the crap and concentrate on getting ready to play football. The good news it seems that is exactly what happened. I'm liking what I'm seeing this year but it is still in the developmental phase. Absolutely on the right track though. Fight on. Go Broncos.

(10-19-2014 05:16 PM)DesertBronco Wrote:  What if he gets his nine this year and goes elsewhere?

Rinse and repeat


Please shut up

(10-19-2014 06:25 PM)Chipdip2 Wrote:  

(10-19-2014 05:16 PM)DesertBronco Wrote:  What if he gets his nine this year and goes elsewhere?

Rinse and repeat


Please shut up

LOL!

(10-19-2014 05:52 PM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  

(10-19-2014 05:04 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  COACH FLECK: 1-11, 6-6, 8-4, 9-3, 7-5, 8-4, 9-3 (hired elsewhere)

If this happened, he'd be gone and snatched up in year 3, year 4 at the latest. DB will get his wish.

News flash. It's not really his wish. It's his fallback position.

DB wanted him gone because he was a 100% sure he'd be a coaching disaster. He'll tell you he doesn't think recruiting matters, but he doesn't believe it. When Fleck got the solid recruiting class he starting going to his fallback position. "I hope he succeeds so he leaves," followed by "even if he succeeds we could never keep him."

DBs interest in the program is trumped by his desire to be right on a stupid message board.

(10-19-2014 05:57 PM)Kimbosucks Wrote:  

Quote:I personally don't think his system will work even with talent well above (according to some) what we normally get.

My quote I believe and we are not running anywhere near the system we ran last year. Not even close. The OC has done a nice job so far. Still think we have more left in the tank.

Hey I wasn't going to call you out on that... but you're right. It's not as "pro-style" as we were led to believe it might be last season.

(10-19-2014 06:31 PM)Chipdip2 Wrote:  

(10-19-2014 05:52 PM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  

(10-19-2014 05:04 PM)toddjnsn Wrote:  COACH FLECK: 1-11, 6-6, 8-4, 9-3, 7-5, 8-4, 9-3 (hired elsewhere)

If this happened, he'd be gone and snatched up in year 3, year 4 at the latest. DB will get his wish.

News flash. It's not really his wish. It's his fallback position.

DB wanted him gone because he was a 100% sure he'd be a coaching disaster.

You're right. God, he's even nearly brainwashed me to believe that.