[Opinion] Good Luck, Tim Lester, You’ll Need It

There's an old saying. "You don't want to be the guy who replaced the guy. You want to be the guy who replaces the guy who replaced the guy."New WMU Football coach Tim Lester doesn't have that luxury. He's the guy replacing the guy.

(Western Michigan Bronco Athletics via YouTube)

It was funny watching video of Athletic Director Kathy Beauregard introducing Lester, and then Lester's opening remarks. I understand the thinking, but not one mention of former coach P. J. Fleck. All the proper acknowledgements, all the proud accomplishments from this past season, but not by name. But, again, we're moving forward. We have no choice but to move forward. It's like we knew the pretty girl would never stay with us. And sure enough, she ran off the with big ugly guy with the deep pockets.

I hope Tim Lester turns out to be the greatest football coach in Bronco history. I really do. Because it's cool when Western is this good. It was cool being the next Boise State. And it really hurt that that may not continue.

Fleck's premium recruits are almost all following him to Minnesota. Can you them? Yes, it's Minnesota, but you're still in the Big Ten (the conference that can't count) and if you're dreaming is lacing them up in the NFL someday, you're chances are probably better playing in the conference that can't count.

Lester made it clear he realizes is about recruiting. He's got a staff to build, and more importantly, players to recruit. They can't all play for Fleck. And if they were paying attention last season, Western was on TV a lot. Corey Davis will probably go in the first round of the NFL Draft. This is still a good place to come and work on your football career; a pretty good place to get an education, too.

It's just that Fleck was that once in a generation personality. He got 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 year-olds to buy into the rah rah, and run through a wall for him. I hope Lester can do the same.