COLUMN: Fleck extension spells trouble for CMU football
The Chippewas are going to The Bahamas for postseason play and the Western Michigan University Broncos are headed to Idaho for a bowl game. But it’s WMU fans that have the bigger reason to celebrate.
The Broncos jubilation should not come as a reaction to a bowl announcement, but because of a contract extension.
WMU is finalizing a contract with Head Coach P.J. Fleck that would keep him in Kalamazoo through 2020.
In essence, this is bad news for Chippewa fans hoping to someday bring the Victory Cannon back to Mount Pleasant.
CMU football fell from 12-2 the year before current Head Coach Dan Enos took over, to 3-9 in Enos' first year.
But CMU football has slowly improved and has a chance at winning eight games this season with a victory in the Dec. 24 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl.
Meanwhile in Kalamazoo, Fleck took over a dismal program — one that has never won a bowl game — and transformed it into a contender in only just two years time.
The 34-year old was seen as a wack-job three months ago, coming off a 1-11 season and obsessing over his “Row the Boat” philosophy. Now, after an 8-4 season and a win over CMU, he’s a genius and the Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year.
Fleck brought in the best recruiting class in the MAC coming into the season, highlighted by freshman running back Jarvion Franklin.
Franklin finished the regular season in the Top 10 in the country in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and carries.
The Broncos have the top recruiting class in the MAC again in 2015.
While CMU’s best players—wide receiver Titus Davis and running back Thomas Rawls—are on their way out, WMU’s best players are still underclassmen. WMU sophomore quarterback Zach Terrell and wide receiver Corey Davis were huge standouts this fall.
The young rowers are maturing and only getting better.
Fleck was featured on CBS sports radio and television earlier this month talking with Jim Rome. Fleck said: “I want to make Western Michigan the best Western Michigan has ever been and I'm not going to stop until I do it."
That’s like nails on a chalkboard to Chippewa fans. Or any team in the MAC for that matter.
Great coaches in the MAC normally don’t stay long. Former CMU coaches Brian Kelly and Butch Jones were Chippewas for a combined six seasons and are now at Notre Dame University and The University of Tennessee.
A Fleck extension through 2020 would keep the youngest coach in the country and CMU’s biggest rival around for six more seasons.
As his players get better and recruits start to yearn for spot on Fleck's team, do not be surprised to see his name attached to some big jobs come 2020.
The Chippewas can only hope his Bronco faithfulness has its limits.
Sinking the boat is out of the question for CMU. The Chippewas can only hope Fleck will eventually choose a bigger, shinier boat somewhere well beyond Kalamazoo.
