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

I'm not trying to get into another pissing match. That has never been my point. So I will try hard to make these comments without instigating a fight.

As I have stated before, many of my issues with the program and athletic dept in general, go way back before PJ. So my comments are not solely based on my opinion of him.

I agree with pretty much everything being said here. And its OBVIOUS, that this is going to be a work in progress. You don't go from 1-11 to 10-2 overnight. My concern is that after last year, we are now HOPING for 4 wins this season and HOPING to be in the hunt for .500 next season. In my opinion, that's still steps backwards from where we were at. Yes, they were 4-8 Cubits last season, which is a valid reason to let the man go. He should have gone especially since he had only 1 year left on his contract and you couldn't extend him after 4-8. And if we were in the same exact situation right now with ANY coach I would be frustrated because I do think that we have a right to expect more that HOPING for .500.

Right now, I am just hoping to at least be competitive. Last year, we were not.....period.

So now looking ahead. We really need to HOPE that this vaunted recruiting class that is coming produces multiple starters that give solid contributions this season. We then need to HOPE that experience gained by this years freshman and sophomores, translates into developing into studs in the next couple years. And that in fact these highly touted recruits pan out to what they are expected to. That will fall squarely on PJ and his staff to develop these youngsters.

The last thing, and yes this is going to be directed at PJ. I think that the "bafoonery" comment is quite telling and maybe the single biggest issue that I have with PJ. If the national media, that probably doesn't give 2 buckets of spit about WMU Football, realizes that last season and the circus that revolved around it were "bafoonish" that tells me something. And I guess what upsets me most about that is that the school and program that I have loved for years and supported steadfastly has in essence become a laughing stock, rather than a respected mid major. I think MajorHooples comment above "How far we have fallen" is really where I get my disappointment.

Emu had and probably has a better run game than we do, and Hill and Brumfield both return. Our defense should be far better than theirs. Simply should have scored more points last year.

(07-03-2014 11:24 AM)Broncobelt Wrote:  Hoekey and DB - Why do you both assume that we should beat EMU this year? They always play us tough, and we could not beat them days after their HC was fired last year. The new man is a proven HC that knows how to win.

I guess "assume" was the incorrect term. Because I agree. We are in no position to say we expect to beat EMU. I think having them at home helps though. I do think we should beat EMU this year, though, regardless of Creighton. He doesn't scare me terribly simply because it's still EMU. I think they will show some improvement under his watch but it is still going to be very hard recruiting kids to a stadium full of 500 people when they're taking official visits this fall. But regardless of what happens, I would like to see us beat EMU this year.

(07-03-2014 01:00 PM)WheresWaldo42 Wrote:  The last thing, and yes this is going to be directed at PJ. I think that the "bafoonery" comment is quite telling and maybe the single biggest issue that I have with PJ. If the national media, that probably doesn't give 2 buckets of spit about WMU Football, realizes that last season and the circus that revolved around it were "bafoonish" that tells me something. And I guess what upsets me most about that is that the school and program that I have loved for years and supported steadfastly has in essence become a laughing stock, rather than a respected mid major. I think MajorHooples comment above "How far we have fallen" is really where I get my disappointment.

I think you (and others) read way too much into the "buffoonish" comment. Writers -- national ones especially -- are going to use outlandish terms like this to draw attention to their article and gain interest. What's more telling to me is all of the positive things the writer is talking about with an incredible recruiting class and the potential that lies within. That far outweighs a few journalism-speak editorials comments here and there.

Thanks for telling us what to think.

Does it all the time.

(07-03-2014 03:03 PM)thegeneral Wrote:  Thanks for telling us what to think.

It's an opinion. Everyone here shares theirs too. This is a message board right?

Share yours then. That'd be the itch in your ointment, itchnut.

(07-03-2014 08:16 PM)DesertBronco Wrote:  Share yours then. That'd be the itch in your ointment, itchnut.

Uh, I did.

And the general is right.

(07-03-2014 08:20 PM)DesertBronco Wrote:  And the general is right.

Sounds like a "^this" or a "BAM!" post.

Well then, it's decided!

(07-03-2014 08:22 PM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  

(07-03-2014 08:20 PM)DesertBronco Wrote:  And the general is right.

Sounds like a "^this" or a "BAM!" post.

Well then, it's decided!

I agree, it's really sad we have a HC that can't prepare or coach on game day.

How sad that we're now reduced to hoping against hope that we can beat Murray State, Idaho, EMU, and downtrodden Miami. I thought B.C. was fired because we needed someone to 'take us to the next level?' Instead, we get a humiliating debut season with tons of ridiculous fluff and glorified yap but so little substance that we can't even beat Nicholls State, let alone 'no coach' EMU or 5 turnover CMU at home. For season 2 "success" apparently means aspiring to B.C.'s worst record of wins. Pathetic! Do we get to dream of 500 ball again in Season 3 ?

(07-04-2014 12:23 AM)coax Wrote:  How sad that we're now reduced to hoping against hope that we can beat Murray State, Idaho, EMU, and downtrodden Miami.

Reality of the situation we are in unfortunately. Rebuilding takes time.

(07-04-2014 06:38 AM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  Reality of the situation we are in unfortunately. Rebuilding takes time.

Very few outside of Coach Nero believed program had to be burned to the ground and completely rebuilt (with 'RTB' on everything).

(07-04-2014 06:41 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  

(07-04-2014 06:38 AM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  Reality of the situation we are in unfortunately. Rebuilding takes time.

Very few outside of Coach Nero believed program had to be burned to the ground and completely rebuilt (with 'RTB' on everything).

True. Myself included.

Don't feel the same way anymore since then, though. It's clear to me that it needed to be rebuilt.

(07-04-2014 07:07 AM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  

(07-04-2014 06:41 AM)MajorHoople Wrote:  

(07-04-2014 06:38 AM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  Reality of the situation we are in unfortunately. Rebuilding takes time.

Very few outside of Coach Nero believed program had to be burned to the ground and completely rebuilt (with 'RTB' on everything).

True. Myself included.

Don't feel the same way anymore since then, though. It's clear to me that it needed to be rebuilt.

It definitely needs to be rebuilt after the way it was torn down last year.

Self-fulfilling prophecy.

But he also said we could win NC too.

Can't wait.

Sure, it was self-fulfilling for Fleck. But there's almost no question the football program needed to hit the restart button after 2012, and the couple of years leading up to that season. That's why, in the end, it turned out to be a good match IMO.

(07-04-2014 08:48 AM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  Sure, it was self-fulfilling for Fleck. But there's almost no question the football program needed to hit the restart button after 2012, and the couple of years leading up to that season. That's why, in the end, it turned out to be a good match IMO.

The years leading up to 2012???? My memory oft is not the best, but I do recall watching WMU play in the LCPB in Ford field in 2011. You think that was a bad season or evidence of a downward spiral?