Listening to everyone's thoughts today, I was impressed at the magnitude of respect, love and genuine support that was expressed for Coach Pete. Though extremely sad and feeling a sick feeling of despair regarding the future of our Broncos, we were all grateful for the 8 wonderful years of winning success that Coach Pete brought. And more importantly the immense prominence and respect that he brought our team and university.
Coach Pete is in my mind the perfect coach. He is a leader of young men and an example to all he is associated with. He is genuine in his concern for the well being of others, especially the student athletes under his stewardship. He is a pillar in the community. He is down to earth and humble. He has morals and discipline that he demands also from his team. You notice that I haven't even talked about his actual coaching yet. That is the part that the entire nation is already familiar with. As Bronco Nation knows, Coach Pete is the winningest coach in NCAA history based on winning percentage. He has won an incredible 92 games in 8 seasons with only 12 losses. He has won multiple bowl games including 2 BCS Fiesta Bowls. He has been willing to play many of the bigger schools from bigger conferences including Oregon, Washington, Oregon State, Georgia, Virginia Tech, Michigan State, Utah, and BYU. He has an amazing winning record against them. He has beaten perennial power Oregon twice and even the fabled Oklahoma. He has done this with all the disadvantages of a smaller school from a smaller market. He has turned 2 star recruits into NFL draftees. He has brought the likes of ESPN and Nike knocking on the door. He has been honored as the National Coach of the Year twice. He has turned Boise State University into a national power with an unlikely following of fans throughout the country.
Yes, Coach Pete is one of a kind. I am saddened beyond words to see him go. I can't imagine who will be invited to come and replace him and even more, I can't think of anyone who could fill his shoes. With that said, I am so happy for Coach Pete. I never thought I would be a Washington Husky fan but I truly will be as long as Coach Pete is at the helm. He deserves every opportunity that comes his way. Washington is beyond lucky to have landed him as coach. I know he will bring the Huskies back to national prominence and I look forward to seeing that happen. Hopefully the Broncos will keep pace. Washington should also feel very special because many schools have tried to pry Coach Pete away from the Blue over the years including USC, Notre Dame, Stanford, UCLA and others.
Coach Pete, I will pray for you and your family in your new endeavor. I hope you will always know how loved you are by the Bronco Nation. We will always welcome you home to the Blue and perhaps one day you will come back.
Go Huskies!! Go Broncos!! And Go Coach Pete!! You are truly, number one!
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