P. J. Fleck Reported To Western Michigan
December 17th, 2012
Per multiple reports, Western Michigan will hire Buccaneers wide receiver coach P.J. Fleck as its head coach, per MLive.com.
Western Michigan University’s month-long search for its next football coach is over.
The school is expected to hire Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers coach P.J. Fleck as its next head football coach on Tuesday, multiple sources have told the Kalamazoo Gazette.
Those sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because the announcement is pending.
This could be a loss for the Bucs in that Fleck, a high-energy, high-octane coach, was close to the Bucs wide receivers and just about every receiver Joe has spoken with raved about Fleck.
Interesting that Fleck would leave an NFL gig for a MAC school.
UPDATE: Per CBSSports.com college football expert Bruce Feldman, the reports are true about Fleck.
@BFeldmanCBS: PJ Fleck will be the new head coach at WMU, source tells CBS, as 1st reported by Kalamazoo Gazette. Schiano Tree growing fast
UPDATE II: Greg Schiano, speaking before media this afternoon, wouldn’t comment about the potential loss of Fleck, other than to say lots of great coaches like Fleck on his staff will be in demand for other positions.
December 17th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
Keenan McCardell
December 17th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
Wow. P.J. really took Florio’s unnamed source’s comment to heart!
December 17th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
I think this maybe one of quite a few coaching changes you will see coming during the off season to our staff.
December 17th, 2012 at 4:36 pm
That’s confirmed on the Bucs web site. Oh well….coaches are hard to keep.
December 17th, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Too bad. He was a good one, from what players said.
December 17th, 2012 at 4:38 pm
Bobby:
Where on the Bucs site? Don’t see it.
December 17th, 2012 at 4:45 pm
Joe,
It’s not a Bucs organization posting. It’s just a tweet roll at the bottom of the Bucs home page showing Feldman’s tweet.
December 17th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
I have no problem with a coach wanting to move up or move on. But I cant stand how they do this during the season. If players were discussing playing for another team during the season coaches would sh!t themselves. Why are coaches allowed to do it? Realistically how can this not be a distraction?
December 17th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
I laughed about the Fleck hiring. But I gotta admit- I think the guy is a good coach.
December 17th, 2012 at 4:51 pm
I agree @silence.
There should be a rule as to when coaches are available to interview or discuss job opportunites during the season. It’s a disservice to NFL teams and players.
Good for him nonetheless.
December 17th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
train already is off the tracks. Distracting the conductor is now meaningless.
Good for PJ, thats not a bad football school. They have given some big schools fits.
Kinda like Rutgers. Should be a springboard to a NFL head coaching gig. Just don’t screw up and win the conference.
December 17th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Pardon my ingorance but does this mean he’s done for the Bucs immediately or will he finish out the remainder of the games?
December 17th, 2012 at 4:58 pm
Genocide:
Good question. Not sure.
December 17th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Agree it’s gotta be a distraction to his current team. I guess a HC gig at Western Michigan is a step up.
December 17th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
@Joe…on the twitter comments at the bottom
December 17th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
Thanks Dallas.
Bobby:
Noticed it was a Twitter feed, not “on” Bucs site. Just a feed that appears there.
Was looking for a story but there was none. Feldman is almost always spot on.
December 17th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
Congrats PJ. With your personality, it will be fun i’m sure. Best wishes!
December 17th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
@Erik
Not making the playoffs does not mean the rest of the games are meaningless in the least. Getting Free out of his funk and in a good rhythm and maybe even on a winning streak would go along way for next year. This news may not be huge but they dont need anymore sh!t added on the problem if that makes sense.
December 17th, 2012 at 5:14 pm
Like rumors of Monte Kiffin signing with Tampa as the DC.
December 17th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
“I have no problem with a coach wanting to move up or move on. But I cant stand how they do this during the season.”
In 3 weeks, almost all the college head coaching jobs will be filled. It’s either interview and take the job or never get one.
December 17th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
@Ambush
You are correct. However if the NFL had a rule that stated you cant talk to coaches under contract until there respective teams season is over. I bet college teams would wait before hiring there next coach… if they were as interested as they seem to be anyways.
December 17th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
I dont think V-Jack and the boys need much help.
December 17th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
Free’s in no funk, he’s on a full-blown downward spiral.
December 17th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Good for Fleck, with the Pirate Ship taking on so much water this past month, he was probably wise to grab the opportunity.
December 17th, 2012 at 6:23 pm
Met P.J. Fleck at a camp for my High School football team. Really nice guy and said you can do anything you want to if you are willing to put in the work. Said he’s not a big kid and doesn’t have that many special attributes about him, but worked hard and was able to make it the NFL as a player. Really high energy guy, and I am sure he will be missed. Good luck at Western Michigan!
December 17th, 2012 at 6:35 pm
How are WRs gonna learn to catch under/overthrown balls now?
December 17th, 2012 at 7:57 pm
I think this is BAD career move by PJ Fleck. He should have stayed 2 more years and then he would have had real credibility as a WR coach at the NFL level. The last time I checked the MAC was an isolated conference filled with low end programs. (Sorry MAC graduates…this is about football not the schools themselves.) He could have been head coach at a much bigger program if he stayed the course as his name was getting good press here. It also doesn’t reflect well on your resume when you change places on a annual basis as he has the last 5 years!. Check wikipedia on him. I think it shows a lack of commitment.
I wish PJ the best but I would not have recommended his current career course.
BK
December 17th, 2012 at 8:04 pm
Northern Illinois (2007-2009)
(Wide receivers coach)
Rutgers University (2010-2011)
(Wide receivers coach)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012–present)
(Wide receivers coach)
Sorry it was 3 places in 5 years…same opinion though. Stick to something and prove your worthiness ESPECIALLY if you get the chance at Pro/NFL level.
December 17th, 2012 at 8:40 pm
Theodore:
Well done.
December 17th, 2012 at 8:41 pm
Genocide:
Joe did some checking with folks and is led to believe that Fleck will finish the season with the Bucs, but cannot confirm.
December 17th, 2012 at 9:48 pm
I can’t divulge how I know, but I will confirm without hesitation PJ is definately high motor, intense, and very well thought of and respected by the players in that lockerroom. time will tell, but if I was betting $$ it would be that he goes far. that said, I wish he could stick around here. very infectious to have that kind of positive energy.
December 17th, 2012 at 10:28 pm
Congrats PJ and good luck at WMU. But no great loss for the Bucs. V-Jax doesn’t need a coach and other than Mike Will the WR corp is nothing to shout about. I loved his personality and attitude and I’m not saying that Fleck would not have made a difference in time, but he has no handprint on this offense – not enough time. This is a good thing if the Bucs go out and get someone with proven NFL results. We need more offensive firepower in addition to Vincent Jackson at WR. So best wishes PJ!
December 17th, 2012 at 10:28 pm
As a WMU alumni, I am super excited to have PJ joining the Bronco community… I am really amped up now to have a coach with so much enthusiasm… great to read the comments on here about his character, coaching techniques and general repoire with the Buccaneer fans. BTW – Your own EJ Biggers is a WMU alumni.
December 17th, 2012 at 11:19 pm
High school recruiting season is now occurring…not sure how he could finish the season unless he has no plans for a Freshman class.
Good luck PJ! I could not agree more with Macabee post…PJ is fully replaceable and our main WR is seasoned. Bright side…to a slowly deflating season.
No more 5 in 13 or it will be another wasted season. I think Glazer know that so I expect to see a VET QB in training cam as to me he needs to know everyday that its make it or move on.
December 18th, 2012 at 12:23 am
!st rat to jump off the sinking pirate ship.
Kiffin started recruiting with 6 weeks left in the season.