Football | October 20, 2016
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Western Michigan head coach P.J Fleck has been named to the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award Watch List. Fleck is one of 23 head coaches around the country to be on the watch list, with the winner being announced on Jan. 11, 2017 at the awards banquet in Houston at the Toyota Center.
This season Fleck has guided Western Michigan to its first-ever top-25 ranking, as the Broncos currently sit No. 20 in both the
USA Today Amway Coaches Poll and the
Associated Press Poll. WMU got there by virtue of beating two Power 5 teams (Northwestern and Illinois) for the first time in program history along with winning the Battle for the Cannon against Central Michigan for the third straight season, 49-10.
Fleck's offense has been on a record pace through the first seven games as the team has scored a record 310 points. Leading the way has been quarterback
Zach Terrell who was named a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award along with wide receiver
Corey Davis who became the all-time leading receiver in Mid-American Conference history with 4,437 career receiving yards.
They have been supplemented by the No. 11 running game in the country that has averaged 265.8 yards thanks in large part to
Jarvion Franklin who set the Western Michigan single game rushing record with 281 yards at Akron. Up front, the offensive line was ranked No. 4 in the country by
Pro Football Focus and received the Joe Moore Midseason Award for being one of the top offensive lines in the country.
On the defensive side of the ball, Fleck has seen a revitalization as the Broncos posted their first shutout in 10 years against Akron with its 41-0 victory.
Keion Adams has been relentless on opposing ball carriers, ranking in the top-20 in the country with 11.0 tackles for loss this season. Defensive back
Darius Phillips has returned two interceptions for touchdowns, becoming the first Bronco to do so since 1996.
