As we all know, Chris Petersen has taken the Boise State Bronco football team to places that they or us as fans could have never imagined. In 2006, he reluctantly went from offensive coordinator to head coach when Dan Hawkins left for Colorado. Two Fiesta Bowl victories, 4 straight years in the top 25, and the highest ranking in school history later, Coach Pete continues to do things the same way he always has. That is with class, honor, aggressiveness, respect, and glory. Seriously, think about it! There is Nick Saban, Les Miles, and Lane Kiffin who are seen as the villains of the college coaching world. The way they carry themselves on the sideline and in press conferences is the polar opposite of Chris Petersen. Both ways are working, obviously, as I have named coaches of winning programs (Actually, for Kiffin the jury is still out). The perfect example of the calmness of Coach was in his response to the Broncos dropping in the polls. You can read the full story here, but this is a quote from him that sums it up perfectly;
"To me, wait until December, and then it's news whether this conversation is even worth having. As we all know, there is going to be a lot of things happening between now and then."
The best part was when someone asked him if he would use the drop in the polls as a chip on the shoulder of his players. He said that it is impossible to use the fact that they are ranked 4th in the country as a motivation tool, and he laughed the whole time.
Indeed this is a man who is constantly preparing for the next opponent, not looking ahead or past a team, and his players follow suit. Look at his track record, 4 undefeated regular seasons in 5 years, 2 Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Trophies (the only coach to win it twice, by the way), and another great season in the works as I type this. I think maybe the most incredible thing about Coach Petersen's tenure is the fact that there have been absolutely no scandals or NCAA investigations. The closest thing to a scandal that has happened is the Jason Robinson ordeal, and maybe some late hits or players that lead with their heads sometimes (the sore losers who couldn't beat the Broncos claim much worse things of the beloved coach. I say, get over it). In fact, when one of Boise State's recruits died in a car accident earlier this year, Petersen did not call the kid's family without getting permission from the NCAA so as to avoid recruiting violations of illegal contact. Ludicrous, I know, but that is how it went down. I think for all this he should be adding other awards to his trophy case. Maybe a Nobel Peace Prize?...Probably not, but his demeanor makes it seem possible.
Coach Chris Petersen and his Broncos continue their quest for an unbeaten season, another BCS Bowl berth, and a long shot at the National Championship Game this Saturday when they host the Toledo Rockets on The Blue. It is homecoming so the atmosphere will be spectacular. Emotions will be riding high and their will be plenty of local hype for all of the festivities. Along with that will come hope and angst that the Broncos do not slip further in the polls or lose ground to the squads ranked behind them. Just don't expect Petersen to care about any of that. He is focused on the Rockets. There are a few things in life that you can't avoid; death, taxes, and Coach Pete's unrelenting pursuit of the cliched "one game at a time" attitude.
No comments:
Post a Comment