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(03-15-2017 04:23 PM)MajorHoople Wrote:  

(03-15-2017 01:45 PM)BroncoMinor Wrote:  Are you done w/ Greg Jennings, Saddi Washington, Corey Davis, John Offerdahl, Tim Lester, and other Bronco legends?

They didn't transfer to other schools to play out rest of their careers.

Especially after being quoted about how much they loved Kalamazoo and were grateful to WMU.

I don't think most people will be "cheering" Fleck as they were with Jennings, etc. But there's a lot of interest and curiosity in seeing how he'll do in the upcoming seasons. Not just from a Win/Loss standpoint, but to see how his cult of personality plays out up there.

Hence, the statistical probability Fleck's name will keep recurring on various threads is close to 1.

(03-15-2017 08:34 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  

(03-15-2017 04:23 PM)MajorHoople Wrote:  

(03-15-2017 01:45 PM)BroncoMinor Wrote:  Are you done w/ Greg Jennings, Saddi Washington, Corey Davis, John Offerdahl, Tim Lester, and other Bronco legends?

They didn't transfer to other schools to play out rest of their careers.

Especially after being quoted about how much they loved Kalamazoo and were grateful to WMU.

I don't think most people will be "cheering" Fleck as they were with Jennings, etc. But there's a lot of interest and curiosity in seeing how he'll do in the upcoming seasons. Not just from a Win/Loss standpoint, but to see how his cult of personality plays out up there.

Hence, the statistical probability Fleck's name will keep recurring on various threads is close to 1.

His train has seemed to slow up a bit haven't seen any pr stunts or any guest appearances on ESPN or Jim Rome etc . Not sure what's been going on in the local media in Minney .Im sure he has something planned along the way of self promotion.

Twin Cities is a pro sports town so media tends to be more cynical-critical than say that in Kalamazoo or DeKalb, especially with the U's general lack of success in most sports.

Fleck won't be able to control them like he did here. As far as ESPN, Rome et al - he's no longer an unusual young coach at a rising G5, he's just another Big Ten coach. And all his slogans, gimmicks etc. are "old news."

Yes. Done with PJ as PJ is done with WMU.

That said, it was quite a ride.

Like him or not, personally, Fleck is possibly the finest football coach WMU ever had based on what he accomplished. 13-0. First MAC Championship in 28 years. Cotton Bowl. Top 15 national ranking. ESPN Game Day.

However, just like so many other successful MAC coaches (pretty much ANY successful MAC coach of the last generation), he moved on for more $. He is the first WMU football coach to leave based on his success.

Congratulations. Thank you...now, go Coach Lester!

And anyone who thinks Lester won't leave in 2-4 years if he has success is kidding themselves.

In the MAC, coaches either leave after 2-4 years because they are successful, or leave after 2-4 years (5 if you're AD has no guts) because they are fired for being unsuccessful.

(03-16-2017 08:05 AM)GullLake Wrote:  And anyone who thinks Lester won't leave in 2-4 years if he has success is kidding themselves.

I agree, but I do feel Lester would stay a 5th year.

Also, say we win the MAC this year, I don't think Lester would be a 1-and-done coach like many MAC coaches who are hired away are

(03-16-2017 06:59 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  Twin Cities is a pro sports town so media tends to be more cynical-critical than say that in Kalamazoo or DeKalb, especially with the U's general lack of success in most sports.

Fleck won't be able to control them like he did here. As far as ESPN, Rome et al - he's no longer an unusual young coach at a rising G5, he's just another Big Ten coach. And all his slogans, gimmicks etc. are "old news."

So true,besides Harbaugh has everyones attention in the Big Ten and it would take something special to shift the attention toward Dr. Fleckenstien.

(03-16-2017 08:45 AM)Bronco14 Wrote:  

(03-16-2017 08:05 AM)GullLake Wrote:  And anyone who thinks Lester won't leave in 2-4 years if he has success is kidding themselves.

I agree, but I do feel Lester would stay a 5th year.

Also, say we win the MAC this year, I don't think Lester would be a 1-and-done coach like many MAC coaches who are hired away are

Unfortunately, Lester needs to win in his first two years because he has great talent, and a lot coming back from one of the best MAC teams in history, and if he doesn't people will blame it on him, whether it is deserved or not (probably it would be deserved). That is what he took on. But if and when he wins he won't be given as much credit as perhaps he will deserve. In a sense it's a great situation for a coach to come into, but in another it's the worst. If he can maintain excellence he will eventually get other opportunities. If he does, then he shouldn't feel bad if he wants to take them. He will have earned the right to leave, as fleck did. I am pretty confident though, just seeing how Lester conducts himself, he would never leave on bad terms, and would never poach players.

(03-16-2017 01:54 PM)brovol Wrote:  

(03-16-2017 08:45 AM)Bronco14 Wrote:  

(03-16-2017 08:05 AM)GullLake Wrote:  And anyone who thinks Lester won't leave in 2-4 years if he has success is kidding themselves.

I agree, but I do feel Lester would stay a 5th year.

Also, say we win the MAC this year, I don't think Lester would be a 1-and-done coach like many MAC coaches who are hired away are

Unfortunately, Lester needs to win in his first two years because he has great talent, and a lot coming back from one of the best MAC teams in history, and if he doesn't people will blame it on him, whether it is deserved or not (probably it would be deserved). That is what he took on. But if and when he wins he won't be given as much credit as perhaps he will deserve. In a sense it's a great situation for a coach to come into, but in another it's the worst. If he can maintain excellence he will eventually get other opportunities. If he does, then he shouldn't feel bad if he wants to take them. He will have earned the right to leave, as fleck did. I am pretty confident though, just seeing how Lester conducts himself, he would never leave on bad terms, and would never poach players.

If PJ was coaching this year I would expect a 10 and 2 record. Doesn't change with a new coach. Anything less than 9 wins is bad.

(03-16-2017 05:59 PM)New School Bronco Wrote:  

(03-16-2017 01:54 PM)brovol Wrote:  

(03-16-2017 08:45 AM)Bronco14 Wrote:  

(03-16-2017 08:05 AM)GullLake Wrote:  And anyone who thinks Lester won't leave in 2-4 years if he has success is kidding themselves.

I agree, but I do feel Lester would stay a 5th year.

Also, say we win the MAC this year, I don't think Lester would be a 1-and-done coach like many MAC coaches who are hired away are

Unfortunately, Lester needs to win in his first two years because he has great talent, and a lot coming back from one of the best MAC teams in history, and if he doesn't people will blame it on him, whether it is deserved or not (probably it would be deserved). That is what he took on. But if and when he wins he won't be given as much credit as perhaps he will deserve. In a sense it's a great situation for a coach to come into, but in another it's the worst. If he can maintain excellence he will eventually get other opportunities. If he does, then he shouldn't feel bad if he wants to take them. He will have earned the right to leave, as fleck did. I am pretty confident though, just seeing how Lester conducts himself, he would never leave on bad terms, and would never poach players.

If PJ was coaching this year I would expect a 10 and 2 record. Doesn't change with a new coach. Anything less than 9 wins is bad.

Tough call with an inexperienced QB. I'd be elated at 9-3 but I don't think so.

(03-16-2017 05:59 PM)New School Bronco Wrote:  If PJ was coaching this year I would expect a 10 and 2 record. Doesn't change with a new coach. Anything less than 9 wins is bad.

You're setting yourself up for disappointment. Unrealistic expectations. You seem to forget several things;

1) the MAC was quite weak last year
2) We had a VERY favorable schedule - two moderate B1G teams, UT and NIU at home
3) We had a four year starter at QB
4) We had an NFL caliber WR and several other productive Sr. WRs.

We should expect them to make a serious run at the MAC title again. I am refraining from making predictions or setting an arbitrary mark where anything less is unacceptable. With a change of staff and uncertainty with the above skill positions, there are lots of variables. For everything to work out just right AGAIN is asking a lot. Last year, all the dominoes seemed to fall the correct way right when WMU needed them to. Doesn't happen that often.

(03-16-2017 01:54 PM)brovol Wrote:  

(03-16-2017 08:45 AM)Bronco14 Wrote:  

(03-16-2017 08:05 AM)GullLake Wrote:  And anyone who thinks Lester won't leave in 2-4 years if he has success is kidding themselves.

I agree, but I do feel Lester would stay a 5th year.

Also, say we win the MAC this year, I don't think Lester would be a 1-and-done coach like many MAC coaches who are hired away are

Unfortunately, Lester needs to win in his first two years because he has great talent, and a lot coming back from one of the best MAC teams in history, and if he doesn't people will blame it on him, whether it is deserved or not (probably it would be deserved). That is what he took on. But if and when he wins he won't be given as much credit as perhaps he will deserve. In a sense it's a great situation for a coach to come into, but in another it's the worst. If he can maintain excellence he will eventually get other opportunities. If he does, then he shouldn't feel bad if he wants to take them. He will have earned the right to leave, as fleck did. I am pretty confident though, just seeing how Lester conducts himself, he would never leave on bad terms, and would never poach players.

What is unfortunate about Lester having talent to win right now?

This is where I don't get too wrapped up in the PJ hate. Yes, he has done some things that bugged me as he left. But, where Western was when he entered the program and where it is when he left is night and day.

Hopefully, Coach Lester takes the program to even greater heights over the next 5 years or so and we're all complaining about him leaving for a bigger job. This is life in the MAC for successful programs. It beats firing a HC every 5 years or so.

(03-16-2017 07:46 PM)MileHighBronco Wrote:  

(03-16-2017 05:59 PM)New School Bronco Wrote:  If PJ was coaching this year I would expect a 10 and 2 record. Doesn't change with a new coach. Anything less than 9 wins is bad.

You're setting yourself up for disappointment. Unrealistic expectations. You seem to forget several things;

1) the MAC was quite weak last year
2) We had a VERY favorable schedule - two moderate B1G teams, UT and NIU at home
3) We had a four year starter at QB
4) We had an NFL caliber WR and several other productive Sr. WRs.

We should expect them to make a serious run at the MAC title again. I am refraining from making predictions or setting an arbitrary mark where anything less is unacceptable. With a change of staff and uncertainty with the above skill positions, there are lots of variables. For everything to work out just right AGAIN is asking a lot. Last year, all the dominoes seemed to fall the correct way right when WMU needed them to. Doesn't happen that often.

Agreed. I think 8-4 is perfectly acceptable barring unusual circumstances.

(03-16-2017 09:58 PM)wmubroncopilot Wrote:  

(03-16-2017 07:46 PM)MileHighBronco Wrote:  

(03-16-2017 05:59 PM)New School Bronco Wrote:  If PJ was coaching this year I would expect a 10 and 2 record. Doesn't change with a new coach. Anything less than 9 wins is bad.

You're setting yourself up for disappointment. Unrealistic expectations. You seem to forget several things;

1) the MAC was quite weak last year
2) We had a VERY favorable schedule - two moderate B1G teams, UT and NIU at home
3) We had a four year starter at QB
4) We had an NFL caliber WR and several other productive Sr. WRs.

We should expect them to make a serious run at the MAC title again. I am refraining from making predictions or setting an arbitrary mark where anything less is unacceptable. With a change of staff and uncertainty with the above skill positions, there are lots of variables. For everything to work out just right AGAIN is asking a lot. Last year, all the dominoes seemed to fall the correct way right when WMU needed them to. Doesn't happen that often.

Agreed. I think 8-4 is perfectly acceptable barring unusual circumstances.

I'm expecting 9 wins. Yes to the 4 points above, BUT, also, a very mature, experienced team who is still progressing as I type, and a monstrous running game. And awesome fans.

Losing Spillane is going to create a big void in our Defense.

Tougher schedule, new QB, new system, everyone gunning for us... I'd gladly take 8 wins as long as we are competing for a MAC Championship still.

9 wins or Todd and I have a duel on S. Park St.

(03-17-2017 10:17 AM)Hiller4Hyz09 Wrote:  9 wins or Todd and I have a duel on S. Park St.

Maybe we could have,the Bronco Marching Band warm up the crowd before the duel. Robin Hook could call the action. Do we have any betting odds from Vegas yet?

(03-17-2017 10:17 AM)Hiller4Hyz09 Wrote:  9 wins or Todd and I have a duel on S. Park St.

If you need a second let me know.

(03-17-2017 10:17 AM)Hiller4Hyz09 Wrote:  9 wins or Todd and I have a duel on S. Park St.

Wear gloves. On second thought, a hazmat suit might be better.

Quote:9 wins or Todd and I have a duel on S. Park St.

Oh, I'll take on that challenge. What kind of duel? As you know, any time there is a challenge in the middle of South Park street, it doesn't involve a gun, but one's own loaded pistol...

With our schedule, no way 9W comes to us. 8W is, sure, doable ... but a huge jump to get to 9W. Not seeing it.

Of a 13-game season (if we're not counting regular-only):

@USC, @MSU, @Toledo -- Losses (0W-3L)
@NIU -- very possible loss, erring against us (0.5W-0.5L)
Idaho, CMU, @EMU -- possible losses (2.25W-0.75L)
BSU, Kent, Akron, @Buffalo -- highly probable wins, erring for us (3.75W-0.25L)
Wagner -- Win (1W-0L)

= 7.5W - 4.5L

Even if you add a bowl WIN on top of that -- it's still shy of 9W. 7-5 is pretty likely -- just a "Doh!". 8-4 --> Very solid.

To get 9W, means only 3L. @USC, @MSU, and losing to *only* 1 other (@Toledo, @NIU, CMU, @Improved-EMU, Idaho, BSU, Kent, Akron, @Buffalo).

Don't see it. For regular season, I'll take you on the "South Park Draw" :)