The Maizer

December 6th, 2016 at 11:46 AM ^

I've also heard this. The University doesn't have to worry about balancing the budget in this case. Kalamazoo has a few people with very deep pockets that are enjoying the Broncos' success.

Joined: 08/07/2015

MGoPoints: 10228

JTrain

December 6th, 2016 at 2:54 PM ^

I had heard at one point Stryker medical would match whatever the school offered. I Never investigated it but I would not at all be surprised.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 12/08/2012

MGoPoints: 8459

ijohnb

December 6th, 2016 at 11:32 AM ^

the contrary, I think they may see this as a once in a generation opportunity to try to complete with the big boys.  I am not saying it will work for sure, but at least they are giving it a go.  Western is a relatively big school with a fairly substantial alumni base for a mid-major.  I can see them being one of the only teams in the MAC that could sell out on moving up in class and have it work.

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 69986

Mr Miggle

December 6th, 2016 at 12:27 PM ^

That's OK, they're allowed to dream. But they have no chance of moving to a Power 5 conference. Ever. If they wanted to, maybe they could move up to a tougher Group of 5 conference. That still seems stupid, would involve giving up all their rivalries with little to gain.

They have a very long way to go to match Boise's success on the field. Boise  hasn't gotten any interest from Power conferences since the Big East imploded.

 

Joined: 10/07/2010

MGoPoints: 47590

Mr Miggle

December 6th, 2016 at 12:49 PM ^

Where would WMU go? Boise at least could possibly fit in the Big 12 or Pac 12. They bring some sort of market with them. Boise's academics are worse, but any conference using that as a criterion would pass on both.

I agree with your point that sustained success at WMU will be much harder to achieve. That alone gives Fleck much more of a reason to move on than Peterson and Harshin.

Joined: 10/07/2010

MGoPoints: 47590

rainingmaize

December 6th, 2016 at 2:01 PM ^

I'm not saying Western is going to go anywhere, but that program has sneaky potential. For one, people have brought up the fact that it has a decent alumni base, but they are in a better media market than what people think. They have access to Kalamazoo as well as Grand Rapids markets. That area also produces a good amount of football talent. If they can keep Fleck for a bit, that program might be another Boise State. 

Joined: 04/13/2010

MGoPoints: 10458

Cali Wolverine

December 6th, 2016 at 12:06 PM ^

...and brother of Pistons owner Tom Gores...he is worth $2.1 Billion and will probably be writing a HUGE check to Western Michigan to try to keep Fleck. Gores singlehandedly arranged the 2017 football game between Western Michigan and USC at the Coliseum. It will be interesting to see what programs come calling for Fleck.

Joined: 01/13/2013

MGoPoints: 21755

SirMedia

December 6th, 2016 at 12:59 PM ^

Alec Gores and his $2.1 billion net worth wouldnt even be the richest person in Kalamazoo, not even the second or third either.  There is some serious money in Kalamazoo, and they do an amazing job of investing in the community.  Things like the Kalamazoo Promise where kids can go to college for free, and the recent donation of $70million to cover the city's budget deficit and drop property tax rates by about a third.

 

Joined: 02/26/2012

MGoPoints: 25

MichiganTeacher

December 6th, 2016 at 6:44 PM ^

a) You guys are sort of making me want to move to Kalamazoo.

b) If Fleck could lock in a Ferentz-style buyout and Gores/Stryker/et al. are serious about keeping him, it may well be that WMU is the best financial deal on the table by a considerable margin.

c) I agree that WMU is in a tougher spot than Boise, say, for sustained success, for a number of reasons. On the other hand, I wouldn't say it's impossible. Far stranger things have happened.

Joined: 10/06/2011

MGoPoints: 9263

Brodie

December 6th, 2016 at 1:07 PM ^

Yes.

We may not see it that way, but the CFPC clearly does hence Navy nearly making it in over WMU. They even kept a one loss Boise State above Western all season. The MAC is not held in any esteem whatsoever. At Cincinnati if you upset someone big aand win a bunch of games, they put you in the top 5 like they did with Houston. The best coaches in the MAC go places like NC State, Iowa State and Syracuse. The best coaches in the AAC go places like Texas, Baylor and Oregon. No comparison, really. 

Joined: 11/19/2008

MGoPoints: 10712

Brodie

December 6th, 2016 at 1:42 PM ^

almost 50 years ago, sure. Now you have guys like Urban Meyer and Brian Kelly ditching the MAC after a couple of years for better lower tier jobs. The prestige just isn't there to be able to move up directly from the MAC to something better than a Purdue level school. 

Joined: 11/19/2008

MGoPoints: 10712

ATC

December 6th, 2016 at 3:23 PM ^

but it appears unlikely at the moment... his agent responded to Bearcat A.D. that he wants a P-5 job....who knows, maybe negotiating.....the reality is that Cincy (regarding football) has taken a step down after the Big East and BCS ending. P. J.'s two and three deep roster is stacked........wouldn't be bad to stick at Western another year with a big raise, have another solid year (which he would), then take another paycheck raise the following to a P-5 in the Midwest. Then again, who knows ..........

Joined: 12/05/2014

MGoPoints: 2151