Western Michigan hires P.J. Fleck as head coach

Western Michigan has hired Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant P.J. Fleck to be its next head coach, according to a source. Fleck, 32, becomes the youngest head coach in major college football. One of the reasons athletic director Kathy Beauregard was attracted to Fleck was his energy and enthusiasm.

Fleck coached one year in Tampa under Greg Schiano and spent two more years at Rutgers coaching receivers under Schiano. Fleck is also familiar with the MAC from his playing career and three-year coaching stint at Northern Illinois. He also spent two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers as a player.

While at Northern Illinois as an assistant, Fleck had duties that included coaching wide receivers and working as a recruiting coordinator.

He replaces Bill Cubit, whose strong tenure at Western Michigan included a 51-47 record and three bowl appearances. Western Michigan went 4-8 last season and just 2-6 in the MAC.