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.

35 Responses to “P. J. Fleck Reported To Western Michigan”

  1. Rrsrq Says:

    Keenan McCardell

  2. lightningbuc Says:

    Wow. P.J. really took Florio’s unnamed source’s comment to heart!

  3. SilenceTheCritics Says:

    I think this maybe one of quite a few coaching changes you will see coming during the off season to our staff.

  4. Bobby Says:

    That’s confirmed on the Bucs web site. Oh well….coaches are hard to keep.

  5. Bucamania Says:

    Too bad. He was a good one, from what players said.

  6. Joe Says:

    Bobby:

    Where on the Bucs site? Don’t see it.

  7. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    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.

  8. SilenceTheCritics Says:

    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?

  9. Capt. Tim Says:

    I laughed about the Fleck hiring. But I gotta admit- I think the guy is a good coach.

  10. bucfanjeff Says:

    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.

  11. Eric Says:

    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.

  12. GenocideD Says:

    Pardon my ingorance but does this mean he’s done for the Bucs immediately or will he finish out the remainder of the games?

  13. Joe Says:

    Genocide:

    Pardon my ingorance but does this mean he’s done for the Bucs immediately or will he finish out the remainder of the games?

    Good question. Not sure.

  14. Bucamania Says:

    Agree it’s gotta be a distraction to his current team. I guess a HC gig at Western Michigan is a step up.

  15. Bobby Says:

    @Joe…on the twitter comments at the bottom

  16. Joe Says:

    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.

  17. Macabee Says:

    Congrats PJ. With your personality, it will be fun i’m sure. Best wishes!

  18. SilenceTheCritics Says:

    @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.

  19. Drew Says:

    Like rumors of Monte Kiffin signing with Tampa as the DC.

  20. AmbushBuc Says:

    “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.

  21. SilenceTheCritics Says:

    @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.

  22. Eric Says:

    I dont think V-Jack and the boys need much help.

  23. PRBucFan Says:

    Free’s in no funk, he’s on a full-blown downward spiral.

  24. JonBuc Says:

    Good for Fleck, with the Pirate Ship taking on so much water this past month, he was probably wise to grab the opportunity.

  25. Bucky23 Says:

    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!

  26. Theodore Says:

    How are WRs gonna learn to catch under/overthrown balls now?

  27. BK Says:

    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

  28. BK Says:

    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.

  29. Joe Says:

    Theodore:

    Well done.

  30. Joe Says:

    Genocide:

    Joe did some checking with folks and is led to believe that Fleck will finish the season with the Bucs, but cannot confirm.

  31. Rick Says:

    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.

  32. Macabee Says:

    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!

  33. flushtheherd Says:

    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.

  34. BK Says:

    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.

  35. Miguel El Magnifico Says:

    !st rat to jump off the sinking pirate ship.

    Kiffin started recruiting with 6 weeks left in the season.