(11-16-2023 01:54 PM)WMU2013 Wrote: Are EMU fans happy with Chris Creighton? Or do you guys want new leadership?
I think the general feeling on Creighton is a positive one among the fanbase. As other have pointed out the 30+ years prior to him taking over were a mess. Taking out his first two years when he was laying down his foundation, he is basically a .500 coach overall, who is sub .500 in the MAC. That is all a huge improvement for a program that was being talked about being dropped down a level or being dropped all together. The games are much more competitive and entertaining. He's gone on the road and beaten four power-five teams and played others close. And of course got our first bowl win since 1987 last year while winning the Michigan MAC.
The other thing (and I don't know the guy so this is all from watching/reading about him and what other have said) is that he is a very good man. He cares about the university, the players, and the community. He seems to do a great job of building a family-like atmosphere with team, they are out doing community service projects, team-building trips, and the team GPA and graduation rate is always good.
So overall, he has done wonders for EMU football. Admittedly the bar was pretty low, but he has gotten it to a place I think few of us thought it could be. If we beat Buffalo next week that will be his sixth bowl game. That would be six bowl games in eight years, and six in seven normal years (if you take out 2020). Furthermore, if you had told us when they hired Creighton that he would make six bowl games in 10 years (or even five if he lose to Buffalo), I think most would have been happy to hear that.
I think there is some frustration for some fans (me included) because it seems like we have left some meat on the bone these past few years. In 2018 and 2022 we were literally one play away from winning the MAC-west and going to the MAC championship game both years. At times there can be a feeling of playing too conservative or "playing not to lose, and not playing to win." In addition to that, after a great season last year expectations were at an all-time high going into this year and
even if we do get to a bowl, the season has felt pretty disappointing. The offense has been about as bad as it's been.
I want to highlight that part above because just saying/thinking/typing something like that would have been unimaginable for EMU football just a short time ago. I think Creighton deserves credit for that.
Regardless of the outcome of Tuesdays game, this is a huge off-season for Coach Creighton. There are certainly some major holes on this years team, but the last two recruiting classes have been good, so those guys should be ready to go next year, and of course the transfer portal CAN be a quick fix at times. If things don't improve some though, I could see people getting...impatient.
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Each bowl appearance will earn EMU's Chris Creighton extra year under new contract
