The Claeysites loved Tracy and are embarrassed by PJ's way of doing things. They can't wait to tell us how big of a mistake it was to fire Tracy. With the expectation of 9 wins, they have created the perfect scenario for themselves. If PJ wins early, it was because of all the talent Tracy left behind. If he doesn't, it was a mistake to fire a 9 win coach.
Wow. That's a pretty rigid and narrow definition. The only way you can like Tracy Claeys is by being embarrased by Fleck. News for you buddy, I liked Tracy Claeys. I am not embarrased by Fleck.
It was not a mistake to fire Claeys, but it was handled poorly.
I do expect to win nine games, but I won't be shocked if we don't
If PJ wins early it is because he is the coach and he coached a team to those wins. I will also acknowledge that his task was made easier based on the tools that were left behind, including, but not limited to a team full of high character guys and a great academic standing as measured by APR and by overall team GPA.
If PJ Fleck wins 5 games, I will be less than impressed with his ability, but I don't think it was a mistake to fire Tracy Claeys.
If he wins one game, I will really be disappointed and expect Mark Coyle to be fired (He won't be, we didn't change the culture at the top where it needs to be changed) but I won't think it was a mistake to fire Tracy Claeys.
Hiring Tim Brewster was a massive mistake under any circumstances. Hiring PJ Fleck was a calculated risk - he may be the next Ara Parseghian, Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler, coming out of the MAC. Or the next Darrel Hazel. While we'll know in a few years time for sure, we'll begin to get an indication in less than a week.
The world is not black and white. Painting everyone with such a broad brush does one thing, and one thing only - continues this ridiculous battle that has shaped up into a two groups of people - those that think everything PJ Fleck does is absolutely perfect how dare you disagree with anything, and Everyone else.
I have seen far more rigidity and obstinance coming from the Flecksters who feel everything he does is the greatest thing that has ever been done, ever. period. paragraph. AND then attack anyone who even suggests that something he has said or done wasn't 100% accurate and absolutely the exact best and most accurate and unquestionable genius thing ever said, done, or thought, ever.
Or hanging on to the notion that someone who was officially the head coach for 2 games in the 2015 season was a two year head coach - but not giving him any credit for how he kept the team together and playing hard with all of the turmoil going on around the program AND that he coached a bowl game that year because of the character and academic progress of the team. Claeys is gone. He deserves to be. Stop imitating Mark Coyle and working to trash him. We can look back and say, good guy, good coach, and gone for a reason without acting like Sherman through Atlanta about anything and everything he did while here. Like the blind faith in all things PJ Fleck, it's pedantic, and pathetic.
