PJ Fleck - He's Rolling Again! Is He Our Next Man?

[BuggsyRU]

I know he is a little hokey, but he is the reigning MAC Coach of The Year....currently has W. Michigan at 5-3....and on a 4 game winning streak. He's 4-0 in conference (a true test, against peer schools.)

Two of his 3 losses this year are:

Michigan State - L 34-27
Ohio State - L 12-38

They were more competitive on the road against Ohio State this year then we were at home against Ohio State.

The guy can flat out recruit (best recruiting class in the MAC his first two years....and currently running neck and neck with Toledo for best MAC class in 2016). Most importantly, he gets the most out of his players, and for us, that means a lot, because I think we have a ton of talent on our team.

Like Harbaugh has done elevating the play of the kids he inherited, I think Fleck would do the same.

Finally, he is making 800K a year at WMU. We can afford him. Will still take 1.5 - 2MM/year to get him, but we can afford him.

He is only 34 years old. Wouldn't be surprised if he goes to Illinois though.

 

[Rnation]

RU will sit on there hands as all the good coaches get hired by other schools.

 

[RUTGERZ_R00LZ]

RU will sit on there hands as all the good coaches get hired by other schools.

The Geico ads say it perfectly: it's what they do. Golf commentators whisper; it's what they do.
RU sits on their hands while other programs act; it's what they do.

 

[Mr_Twister]

I would prefer the Toledo coach, who I believe has stronger Ohio/Midwestern recruiting ties. Realistically, both Fleck and Campbell will get better offers than Rutgers. I'd guess we have a better shot at redemptive hires like Bo Pelini and Luke Fickell, both of whom have "Big Ten" recruiting chops and have coached on a large stage.

 

[MikeR0102]

Would rather have Campbell then another Schiano guy.

 

[MADHAT1]

Bud Foster might be available if he isn't named Beamer's replacement and would be a fairly solid hire compared to any other assistant that might be considered.
His cost might not be as much as we would think it would be if he wants a HCing job
and the P5 schools looking for HCs don't have him as one of their top choices.

 

[cRURah]

The Geico ads say it perfectly: it's what they do. Golf commentators whisper; it's what they do.
RU sits on their hands while other programs act; it's what they do.

Rutgers fans suffer while they hope and pray; its what they do.

 

[Toddwills00]

Western Michigan played OSU and MSU tougher than we did combined.

 

[BuggsyRU]

I would prefer the Toledo coach, who I believe has stronger Ohio/Midwestern recruiting ties. Realistically, both Fleck and Campbell will get better offers than Rutgers. I'd guess we have a better shot at redemptive hires like Bo Pelini and Luke Fickell, both of whom have "Big Ten" recruiting chops and have coached on a large stage.

We don't need stronger midwest recruiting ties.

We need a coach who can recruit NJ first and foremost, and Fleck has experience with that.

I do like Campbell also though. Dude can coach and recruit....much like Fleck.

My list of realistic (and that is the key word) coaching possibilities, ones we could afford... are:

1.) Fleck
2.) Campbell
3.) Pelini
4.) Larry Johnson
5.) Meachem

Coaches that are not realistic, and no reason to even discuss further

1.) Rhule -He will go to a bigger school for bigger money
2.) Hermann - (see Rhule above)
3.) Schiano
4.) Tressel
5.) Frost

 

[DJ Spanky]

So are donors willing to make their wives available for Fleck?

 

[BuggsyRU]

So are donors willing to make their wives available for Fleck?

What does this mean?

 

[Knight Shift]

He's rowing again?

 

[RBNY87]

I think Rhule is realistic. I think Fleck would energize NJ recruiting. They both relate well to high school players. Remember, you can backload a contract to catch up on the money when RU revenues are stronger I think a key is going to have the fanbase being realistic in how hard it is to get to the next level in our division.

 

[scarletschuyler]

Again with the " we must recruit NJ" nonsense. You can't put a top tier program together just by recruiting NJ, but by selling the program as far as possible. yes, NJ has some great prospects, but I think we are deluding ourselves if we think the NUMBER of great kids is equal to Fla, Cal, Ohio, Texas, etc.

 

[koleszar]

Fleck wants the Illinois job. He's from that area and they can offer more. He's not coming here. Scratch him off your list. I do agree he would have been a big upgrade over our current coach though. Hell most coaches are with his resume.

 

[biazza38]

^Nonsense?!? Really, you think it's nonsense?!? Some of the best players are in our backyard and right now they couldn't care less about playing for us. The reality is, we need top recruits in order to compete. Last time I checked, we're not getting visits from 5 star recruits from out of state. Yes we have landed some very good players, but you need to have the ability to close the in state guys. OWe're getting a good amount of the out of state guys we want. But we have no chance if we don't start landing guys like Peppers, Gary, Walker, Fitzpatricks, etc. It's ignorant if you think we can do this without top NJ guys. The best players on our team are four star players from NJ.

 

[RUJohnny99]

What does this mean?

It means spanky better lawyer up.

http://deadspin.com/wmu-boosters-wife-sues-message-board-posters-over-****-1684191151

 

[brgossRU90]

I think a key is going to have the fanbase being realistic in how hard it is to get to the next level in our division.

Right now fans are most concerned about us not slipping back to sewer status.

 

[WhiteBus]

Right now fans are most concerned about us not slipping back to sewer status.

Thankfully the leaves of fall are blocking the sewer. Most feel like we are already there.

 

[Caliknight]

As long as he doesn't bring the row the boat shtick.

 

[BuggsyRU]

Again with the " we must recruit NJ" nonsense. You can't put a top tier program together just by recruiting NJ, but by selling the program as far as possible. yes, NJ has some great prospects, but I think we are deluding ourselves if we think the NUMBER of great kids is equal to Fla, Cal, Ohio, Texas, etc.

It's not nonsense. If our recruiting classes aren't made up of kids from the NJ ti-state area, the best kids that is....we will never compete with the best programs.

Our only chance of competing with schools like Ohio State and Penn State in our division (who put a huge emphasis on recruiting their own state, btw,) is to attract the top kids in our state EVERY YEAR, and pepper in some great kids from the other nearby states that make up the our recruiting base, like NY and PA.

We don't have the same number of top kids in NJ as the states you mentioned. Only a fool would believe we do.

But the state of California also has USC, Cal, UCLA, Stanford, and a bunch of lesser D1 schools.

The state of Texas has UT, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, TCU and a bunch of lesser D1 schools

The state of Florida has Miami, Florida State, U of Florida and a bunch of lesser D1 schools.

The state of NJ has Rutgers. That it. That's the only D1 school.

HUGE difference than what you said.

 

[WhiteBus]

Would rather have Campbell then another Schiano guy.

Another idiot who hates Schiano so much that he would rather have a lesser coach. Un-Fing-Real

 

[James_Bond]

Lol Fleck is going to get a LOT better offers than Rutgers. Board cracks me up sometimes.

 

[MADHAT1]

Not sure about Fleck as the best available, but sure he's better than Flood.
Also not sure about any of the realistic candidates ( if Fleck isn't out of RU's price range)
so can't say I know of a better choice.
PJ is supposed to be an up and coming talent , he might be the right man for the job

 

[MikeR0102]

Another idiot who hates Schiano so much that he would rather have a lesser coach. Un-Fing-Real

LOL at the idea that Fleck is a better coach than Campbell. Is Fleck gonna bring Captain Kirk back to the Banks with him? What about Ed Pinkham?

 

[MikeR0102]

Lol Fleck is going to get a LOT better offers than Rutgers. Board cracks me up sometimes.

What are these better schools that are going to give a coach with a career 14-19 record an offer?

 

[AreYouNUTS]

Again with the " we must recruit NJ" nonsense. You can't put a top tier program together just by recruiting NJ,

Facts are facts:

Since Flood started flopping, in NJ, our classes have gotten worse and our program is not trending downhill due to the lack of quality depth on the roster. So, yes, we must recruit NJ well, OR, at least a lot better than this moron has recruited OUR state.

 

[RUwoz]

As long as he doesn't bring the row the boat shtick.

It's the same as the chop shtick

 

[WhiteBus]

LOL at the idea that Fleck is a better coach than Campbell. Is Fleck gonna bring Captain Kirk back to the Banks with him? What about Ed Pinkham?

LOL that you will not want a successful HC simply because he worked for Schiano. If Fleck never coached for Schiano you would love him. But your hatred for a former coach disqualifies him. Stupid posts need to be called out. What a jerk off

 

[Ole Cabbagehead]

Another idiot who hates Schiano so much that he would rather have a lesser coach. Un-Fing-Real

Huh? In what way is Matt Campbell a "lesser coach" than PJ Fleck??

PJ Fleck at WMU
1-11
8-5
5-3

2.5 yrs HC experience; 5 yrs WR coach for NIU, RU and then a year with the Bucs

Matt Campbell at Toledo
9-4
7-5
9-4
7-0

4 yrs HC experience; 2 yrs OC; 3 yrs OL

People want Matt Campbell over Fleck because he is a better coaching candidate. Period, full stop.

 

[WhiteBus]

Huh? In what way is Matt Campbell a "lesser coach" than PJ Fleck??

PJ Fleck at WMU
1-11
8-5
5-3

2.5 yrs HC experience; 5 yrs WR coach for NIU, RU and then a year with the Bucs

Matt Campbell at Toledo
9-4
7-5
9-4
7-0

4 yrs HC experience; 2 yrs OC; 3 yrs OL

Again it's the fact that you clowns will disqualify a quality canidate simply because he was on Schiano ' staff. The stupidity on this board is completely amazing

 

[Ole Cabbagehead]

Lol Fleck is going to get a LOT better offers than Rutgers. Board cracks me up sometimes.

So the notion that Rutgers could hire PJ Fleck cracks you up. Who do you think would be realistic targets then?

 

[sodakboy93]

Again with the " we must recruit NJ" nonsense. You can't put a top tier program together just by recruiting NJ, but by selling the program as far as possible. yes, NJ has some great prospects, but I think we are deluding ourselves if we think the NUMBER of great kids is equal to Fla, Cal, Ohio, Texas, etc.

The problem is that we never get any of the top talent in Jersey, which creates a self-fulfilling prophecy where it appears Rutgers isn't big time even in their home state. That makes it harder to attract elite players from out of state.

 

[MikeR0102]

LOL that you will not want a successful HC simply because he worked for Schiano. If Fleck never coached for Schiano you would love him. But your hatred for a former coach disqualifies him. Stupid posts need to be called out. What a jerk off

I don't hate Schiano. I would take him back now for the money he was making previously. But I don't want Fleck and all his issues here. NJAM would have a field day with all his off the field improprieties. And don't forget the stupid Row the Boat crap.

 

[Ole Cabbagehead]

Again it's the fact that you clowns will disqualify a quality canidate simply because he was on Schiano ' staff. The stupidity on this board is completely amazing

He said "Would rather have Campbell then another Schiano guy"
And you said he was "another idiot who hates Schiano so much he would rather have a lesser coach"
I asked in what way Campbell was a lesser coach.

Speaking of Fleck, even going beyond records... PJ Fleck has a losing record as a HC, no prior HC experience, no coordinator experience, probably wasn't even qualified to be an HC. Hmm....sounds a lot like another coach I know. I would love to see the meltdown the first time we lost 3 in a row. He is in no way qualified....he hasn't even proven he can handle the MAC yet. Thank god the people on this board aren't in charge of hiring. Want to get rid of Flood because he had no credentials and has to learn on the job, and want to hire PJ Fleck and AAC flavor of the month Matt Rhule. One hasn't proven he can handle the MAC, the other is riding a senior laden team in the AAC. You think these guys are going to step in and compete?

 

[RedSpartan]

LOL at the idea that Fleck is a better coach than Campbell. Is Fleck gonna bring Captain Kirk back to the Banks with him? What about Ed Pinkham?

I know Ed Pinkham. I played for Ed Pinkham. Ed Pinkham is a friend of mine. I'd take Ed Pinkham over Rossi every day of the week and twice on Saturday.

 

[WhiteBus]

He said "Would rather have Campbell then another Schiano guy"
And you said he was "another idiot who hates Schiano so much he would rather have a lesser coach"
I asked in what way Campbell was a lesser coach.

Speaking of Fleck, even going beyond records... PJ Fleck has a losing record as a HC, no prior HC experience, no coordinator experience, probably wasn't even qualified to be an HC. Hmm....sounds a lot like another coach I know. I would love to see the meltdown the first time we lost 3 in a row. He is in no way qualified....he hasn't even proven he can handle the MAC yet. Thank god the people on this board aren't in charge of hiring. Want to get rid of Flood because he had no credentials and has to learn on the job, and want to hire PJ Fleck and AAC flavor of the month Matt Rhule. One hasn't proven he can handle the MAC, the other is riding a senior laden team in the AAC. You think these guys are going to step in and compete?

Where did I say that Fleck was better than Cambell. But he does post he would rather have Cambell than a Schiano guy. Go read his post again! Holy crap.

 

[northeastNebraska]

Matt Campbell is the guy. That's who Rutgers should start and end their search with IMO.

 

[Caliknight]

It's the same as the chop shtick

Not really. Pretty different actually. The chop was an internal thing that happened to become public after seeing members of the team do it.

The row shtick was completely contrived marketing. The coach was doing tutorials on it with the team and fans a like.

Big difference.

 

[MikeR0102]

Where did I say that Fleck was better than Cambell. But he does post he would rather have Cambell than a Schiano guy. Go read his post again! Holy crap.

I don't want a Schiano guy, because we have one now, and I want a clean break. If you want to bring back Schiano, fine, but I'd rather just have a clean break, whether that's Matt Campbell or a coordinator like Doug Meacham