AZBlue

January 13th, 2017 at 8:36 PM ^

For the next few years I think it will be a race between TW finding a Head coaching job at a lower school and JH having an opening to allow at least a "Co-OC" in his title (provided he has earned it).

If/when he gets that Co-OC or OC title, we may have a year or two of calm before we have to worry about him leaving for a P5 head gig. He needs the experience -- as someone will have to replace JH in 10-15 years.

Joined: 09/14/2008

MGoPoints: 16880

HireWayne

January 13th, 2017 at 7:36 PM ^

I'm disappointed as a WMU alum.  I thought PJ Fleck raised the prestige of the program a little and there would big a bigger splash of a hire like Frank Solich to Ohio.  Wonder if Les Miles or Bo Pelini were interviewed.

Joined: 09/30/2016

MGoPoints: 5112

Honey Badger

January 13th, 2017 at 7:44 PM ^

Why all the hate? A Michigan school that is good for the state who poses no threat to Michigan. Fleck was not exactly a splashy hire. WMU's athletic director has a formula she is trying to replicate. Anyways, I like Western being the second best football team in the state.

Joined: 06/15/2015

MGoPoints: 3676

drjaws

January 13th, 2017 at 7:50 PM ^

If this is their choice, it almost comes across is if everyone remotely worth a poke who interviewed and looked around said "Cool story. Thanks. Bells, Gonzo's, Rupert's, One Well and HopCat are cool, but ....... later."



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Joined: 02/26/2014

MGoPoints: 47511

lhglrkwg

January 13th, 2017 at 8:04 PM ^

I mean, I know they're not a P5 school, but I thought off that run of success they'd be able to do a little better than a guy who's essentially only been a P5 QB coach (I know he was apparently Cuse's OC for one season). I thought they might've had a shot at Les

Joined: 07/03/2008

MGoPoints: 88119

LSAClassOf2000

January 13th, 2017 at 8:14 PM ^

Now that I see people like Lester who are my age.....in some cases younger.....getting positions like this at various levels, it leads me to ask a question that has been on my mind lately - what DIDN'T I do in my life that I couldn't break into sports as something other than a second-rate player?

Seems like an anticlimactic follow-up to Fleck, but we shall see, I guess.

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130831

Tigercub33

January 13th, 2017 at 8:40 PM ^

As an alum it seems pretty "meh"...but it also makes me smile as I'm reminded of my freshman year when my dad kept yelling "RUN CHICKENSHIT RUN!" when Lester kept throwing the ball away instead of taking the 5-10 yards the defense was giving him all game. Ahhh, my classy father.

Joined: 11/20/2008

MGoPoints: 63

JHendo

January 13th, 2017 at 8:50 PM ^

I'm in the boat of WMU alums dissapointed it wasn't a bigger hire. They were in the best spot they were ever going to be in to hire someone who either has a history of success or was a coveted newcomer to the HC ranks. Instead, they went for someone who no one really wanted on the P5 coordinator level, let alone as a HC for what was a top 25 team. Seems like the Kzoo version of "Michigan man" syndrome, and I mean that in a Hoke way, not a Harbaugh way. Then again, it's Western. My first season as a fan/student was a 1 -10 trainwreck, so missed hiring oppurtunies are no biggie.

Joined: 10/25/2008

MGoPoints: 13993

CTG

January 14th, 2017 at 10:13 AM ^

I think this is the best take on the hire.  After PJ left, I think they might be worried about another up and coming coach (not that Lester is an up and coming coach, but he is a young coach) having success and then bolting for another job.  By hiring an alum, I assume they are hoping, with success (assuming he is successful), he will not leave for greener pastures.  If that was the administration's hope, keep hoping as WMU is not a destination job for anyone, even an alum.  Successful coaches aspire like any top competitors for better/higher goals.

 

Joined: 07/21/2016

MGoPoints: 259

Mr Miggle

January 13th, 2017 at 8:58 PM ^

They raised a lot of money in the hopes of keeping Fleck. I don't know if this is a good or bad hire, but it looks like a cheap one. Just the kind of move you would expect from an average MAC program.

Joined: 10/07/2010

MGoPoints: 47773

WMUgoblue

January 13th, 2017 at 9:08 PM ^

Not impressed, there's talk about Cubit joining the staff in some capacity. If that happens I may just have to write a strongly worded letter...but seriously Cubit sucks.

Joined: 12/06/2009

MGoPoints: 12422

Wolfman

January 14th, 2017 at 4:58 AM ^

The refusal on the part of WMU to realize an almost guaranteed continuance of what Fleck has started, the top three recruiting classes in the MAC in consecutive years with the first year's being the highest rated group in MAC history by offering the job to Wheatley in favor of a "Brady Hoke" like Tim Lester, albeit with far fewer years of mediocrity is questionable. 

While true that chances of losing Wheatley to a P5 school would loom large, great football tradition and history is built upon continuous strong hires. WMU has never been in a better position to become THE program in that conference. 

While extremely happy to have Wheatley remain a member of this staff, I cannot understand this hire through the eyes of  WMU. 

Joined: 07/23/2008

MGoPoints: 8259