PezkingGL
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open letter to coach Fleck
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12-11-2014 12:32 AM |
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toddjnsn
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
Very good!
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12-11-2014 12:40 AM |
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Dci007
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
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12-11-2014 06:02 AM |
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BCBronco
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
Nice, but he's gonna get a big head, as much as I like Phillip John, let's remember that 8-4 seasons are not unheard of, and even though all the praise for rebounding from 1-11 is great, he was responsible for that too. So while it's fun to celebrate and look forward to the future, let's keep our feet on the ground.
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12-11-2014 07:51 AM |
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MajorHoople
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
Uzelac rebounded from 1-10 to 7-4 and MAC COY.
His third year we were picked to win MAC. A rash of injuries contributed to slipping back to a 4-7 record instead.
Four years later he was fired.
8-4 is a good season, not great. It "feels" better because of the 1-11 that preceded it that, as BC pointed out, Fleck was responsible for too.
His tenure here has only just begun. People (including AD) thought Jim Culhane was a fine hockey coach after two seasons too.
(This post was last modified: 12-11-2014 08:12 AM by MajorHoople.)
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12-11-2014 08:00 AM |
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Motown Bronco
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
I largely agree with what's been said here.
I enjoyed the turnaround, and Fleck's rather unconventional style had grown on me more (although I may never 100% buy in to all his ideas). And winning cures ills. Where Fleck was mocked and assumed a short-lived clown in the media a year ago, it's done a 180 degree turn with praise coming from those same media with accolades.
Who would've thought last December that his name would get floated around for the UM job this December, even if that chance was incredibly small?
I'm optimistic, but in a cautious sense. I tempered my pessimism last year because I figured I'm give him a chance to show his stuff. And similarly, I'm keeping my enthusiasm a bit in check now because it's hardly a guarantee we're on the path of guaranteed 8+ win seasons every year moving forward. Our previous HCs had the best seasons early in their tenures.
Last year's off season question was, Can this guy coach 'em up, turn it around and produce wins during his 'OTJ training'? That answer is yes. Now it's, Can he continue and sustain winning seasons at WMU and get us back to the MACC?
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12-11-2014 08:21 AM |
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brovol
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
My optimism is less driven by the record than it is by what I see happening foundationally. The recruiting, the energy put towards promoting the school and the program, the rtb philosophy which promotes a concept of full time commitment in all aspects on and off the field, and his game management is good too. While many hate his style, I think it works very well in that profession. And as I said last year, I love that he really appears to believe in what he is doing, and its not just a sales pitch. He may not come across as genuine, based on the fast talking mantra, but I really think he is. Anyhow, I'm glad we have him.
....and he is becoming a rock star. Lol
(This post was last modified: 12-11-2014 08:35 AM by brovol.)
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12-11-2014 08:34 AM |
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Dirty Ernie
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
A nice tribute to Coach Fleck.
Adding a new chapter to a great tradition.
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12-11-2014 08:53 AM |
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Hoekjeness
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
(12-11-2014 08:34 AM)brovol Wrote: My optimism is less driven by the record than it is by what I see happening foundationally.
^this
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12-11-2014 10:39 AM |
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jubbasubba
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
Oh how people quickly forget Cubit taking a 1-10 team he inherited to a 7-4 record.
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12-11-2014 11:11 AM |
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bostonbronco
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
(12-11-2014 11:11 AM)jubbasubba Wrote: Oh how people quickly forget Cubit taking a 1-10 team he inherited to a 7-4 record.
Didn't forget that and appreciate all that Cubit did for the team and our university.
However, this is now and that was then.
Row the Boat. Congratulations on a great year and for getting us to a bowl game. Air Force will be a huge challenge.
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12-11-2014 11:21 AM |
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Hoekjeness
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
(12-11-2014 11:11 AM)jubbasubba Wrote: Oh how people quickly forget Cubit taking a 1-10 team he inherited to a 7-4 record.
I don't intend to speak for everyone, but for me, the major differences between then and now is that we are seeing record breaking recruiting, and the ladder never seemed to be set up for sustainable success.
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12-11-2014 11:26 AM |
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Cant make this sh t up
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
(12-11-2014 08:34 AM)brovol Wrote: My optimism is less driven by the record than it is by what I see happening foundationally. The recruiting, the energy put towards promoting the school and the program, the rtb philosophy which promotes a concept of full time commitment in all aspects on and off the field, and his game management is good too. While many hate his style, I think it works very well in that profession. And as I said last year, I love that he really appears to believe in what he is doing, and its not just a sales pitch. He may not come across as genuine, based on the fast talking mantra, but I really think he is. Anyhow, I'm glad we have him.
....and he is becoming a rock star. Lol
For now he is OUR Rock Star...like it or not
RTB
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12-11-2014 11:27 AM |
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broncojohnny
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
If you leave facilities improvements out of the argument, then just stop the discussion...
Had the chance to take a tour of the Bill Brown Center with Gene Cavich, who was our "D" coordinator under Elliot U. He said it's the Best building he's ever seen in the MAC...And that, if he had this facility back in the day, we'd have the best recruiting classes in the MAC. every year.
We simply don't have any of the upgrades without PJ.
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12-11-2014 11:44 AM |
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Hoekjeness
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
^Another great point.
Nobody in the MAC -- except probably Northern Illinois -- can even touch our facilities/upgrades. That's a big reason why the two schools are fighting for the top two recruiting classes in both 2014 and 2015, and probably beyond.
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12-11-2014 11:50 AM |
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wmutkelaw
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
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12-11-2014 12:05 PM |
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wmutkelaw
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
(12-11-2014 11:11 AM)jubbasubba Wrote: Oh how people quickly forget Cubit taking a 1-10 team he inherited to a 7-4 record.
was thinking the same thing. Cubit's turnaround was great. But, Cubit is no longer our coach.
I did not want Cubit fired. However, he was.
Was an injustice done to Cubit, by not honoring him for his accomplishment? Is it relevant any more?
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12-11-2014 12:08 PM |
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WesternSkillet
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
First off, I enjoyed this letter. It is well written and I could relate to a lot of what the author wrote.
The thing I am most excited about is our recruiting. It is something I have not seen at WMU in the four years of being a student and now alum. Even looking back on the last 10 years of recruiting this is truly a high point.
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12-11-2014 12:36 PM |
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PezkingGL
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
Quote:Did you author the letter?
No. I came across the link shared on facebook.
(This post was last modified: 12-11-2014 12:47 PM by PezkingGL.)
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12-11-2014 12:46 PM |
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Chipdip2
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RE: open letter to coach Fleck
I really get tired of Fleck and some of the younger fans acting as if we've never won in football.
1. We've been a winning program for the last 25 years. 15 winning seasons in that span.
2. When it's framed in MAC championships and bowls it paints a skewed picture. If the bowl picture was like it is today we'd have gone to numerous bowls.
Buffalo, Kent and Akron have had recent division and MAC championships, but for the most part they've been consistent losers.
The culture Fleck has changed was not ingrained for decades, it was a definite downturn but hardly on the level we have seen at EMU, Akron, or Miami.
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12-11-2014 12:51 PM |
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