http://www.theplayerstribune.com/pj-fleck-western-michigan-keep-rowing/
Great read from the Western Michigan coach. I thought he would have been a pretty good hire for us last year (if a tier below Fuente) and now with Herman gone he'll likely be among the top coaches on the market this offseason. I don't see how fans and players wouldn't get fired up with this guy as their coach.
This anecdote stuck out especially:
I paused for a moment to take in the scene, and then delivered what I think might be the most effective speech I've given since I arrived at Western Michigan.
It was 10 words.
"When are you going to be tired of being average?"
Then I walked out.
And this sounds like a classic Beamer-ism:
It's funny, since our team has started winning I've had a lot of people ask me, "Coach, what's the secret?"
They're always disappointed when I tell them that there is no secret. It's very simple: Just treat people the right way. If you start there, a lot of other stuff will fall into place.
Will be very interesting to see if he leaves WMU and where he ends up. I could see Oregon making a play. I hope to god it's not Notre Dame though.
Comments
This might be new or revolutionary, but why not just stay at WMU??? If you feel committed, just stay there and build your program and transform the perennial losing into perennial winning. Make a name at a school that no one has made a name for themselves there before (if that makes sense). Don't just leave for the sole reason of the next school having more *Prestige*. Make your own prestige....
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
EDIT: In all honesty this just isn't the way the world works.
My wife went to grad-school at VCU and both my in-laws are Ram Alum, therefore I have a rooting interest in VCU basketball. We thought Shaka was gonna do the same thing. He could've had statues at VCU. But let's be honest; VCU was never his dream job. And PJ's dream job isn't WMU.
No matter what profession you're in, you always want to be the best you can be. You're always looking for that dream job. No matter how good you get at what you currently do, chances are there's a bigger fish you want to fry.
When you have the talent and charisma to coach well and inspire your players, build your own program, don't just "Make More Money". That's a waste, especially for Broncos fans
I can understand dream job though, but honestly, beside ND which school out there would be someone's dream job? Stay with a winner
Texas, Alabama, LSU, USCw, Oklahoma, Ohio St., Michigan...depends on who the guy is.
What he's done at WMU is cool and all, but it's a spring board for him. Do you think WMU has potential to exceed what they're doing this year?
They'll never be a national title contender and will struggle to make a NY6 bowl with any consistency. He can't recruit blue chip talent there.
That's not to say he isn't happy there. But for someone competitive and driven enough to land a gig as head coach at an FBS program, this can't be the end goal for him.
Maybe he'll prove me wrong. But history says otherwise.
Basketball's a little different though, in that VCU had the opportunity to compete for championships. Shaka left because he wanted money and prestige. WMU has no avenue where they can consistently compete for national championships, and Fleck's decision to leave could come down to nothing more than a desire to compete.
Even more to my point. If Shaka didn't stay, I don't know who does. It's just the business.
CFB is too stratified. A MAC team has no way of competing for national championships, and no obviuos path to get to that point. It very well may simply come down to wanting to play against the best, which he can't do in Kalamazoo.
Fleck currently makes $392,500 although they are working on an extension through 2020 right now and I can't find the details.
Charlie Strong just got paid $10M+ to NOT coach at UT anymore. It would take PJ 25 years of working at that income level to match that buyout. And yes, I know it's not equal because of taxes, but the point still stands.
Edit: And Charlie Weis made $24M to NOT coach at Notre Dame and Kansas. It would take PJ 61 years to make that at his current salary.
Charlie makes even more because Texas has no income tax.
Side note, Corey Davis really is an absurdly good wide receiver. Glad to see that kid is successful, he's gonna be a high round draft pick and the human interest story that will be told is going to be a great one.