Justin Wilcox Leaving Boise State Is Good for Everybody

Bronco fans have been through a lot this season.

Some good, and some bad.

One of the best things to happen to us in the postseason was the departure of defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox.

Most Bronco fans will think that statement is completely bogus, but I couldn't be happier about Justin's departure.

It's good for everybody involved, and here's why.

Let's Start with the Kids on the Team

I do appreciate Wilcox waiting until national signing day was over to depart.

I consider it his final gift to us.

He did show interest in departing a month ago when the D coordinator job for Texas A&M was up for grabs. But I still believe he would have waited to make it official until signing day.

He also hit the recruiting trail the NEXT DAY after his team won the Fiesta Bowl, traveling to California and Hawaii to represent a team and job that he was obviously unhappy with, and that does show character.

Let's Continue with the Coaching Staff of Boise State

I preface this part of the article with a bit of opinion. I have been in a management position, and when someone decides that they no longer support the status quo, it can have a very negative affect on their job performance.

It is my opinion that Wilcox probably started getting offers almost immediately after beating up on Oregon, and it did have an effect on the field for the Broncos.

BSU's D, which looked incredible against Oregon, had four or five mediocre games against mediocre opponents, and I'm sorry to say that the problem was the defense.

But on the big stage against TCU, Wilcox did roar back and make a statement for his resume.

Wilcox was elevated in 2006 to coach the Broncos defense, but Chris Petersen and Co. felt that he wasn't quite ready to lead the pack yet, so they looked to Montana State's Defensive Coordinator, Pete Kwiatkowski.

Pete K's main job was to lead the defensive line for Boise State, but his unofficial second job was to add a little experience to Wilcox as he sat in the big D chair.

If the D line of this year was any indication of his skill level, I think we are in for another fantastic defensive year in 2010.

Let's Finish with Wilcox, Dooley, and the Volunteers of Tennessee

Tennessee got screwed by Lane Kiffin.

There is no nice way of saying it, so why try?  Mr. Kiffin left in the dead of night, with no apology, a month before the recruiting day signings. He lied through his teeth up until the point that he left.

I felt very bad for the Vols.

But light came shining from the WAC for this beat up SEC team, in the form of two proven coaches with long family traditions in the football world.

Derek Dooley was a very under-appreciated commodity in the NCAA.

He served Louisiana Tech as head football coach and athletic director.

I don't care what school he came from, shouldering that load must have been HARD.

Son of Auburn legend Vince Dooley, Derek has roots in the south, and I think that he will bring much needed integrity to the Tennessee football program.

Justin Wilcox was a much needed addition to Dooley's coaching staff.

Bronco fans all know his track record, stuffing vaunted offenses from the Pac-10, the Mountain West, and the Big 12; he was a piece of the puzzle that is much needed if Dooley is going to compete against the Florida's, Bama's, and Auburn's of the world.

I didn't leave LSU out, it's just that Dooley is very familiar with LSU, as he has played against them every year with his La-Tech team.

So, in summary, I don't see much of a downside to Wilcox's departure.

The Broncos did the smart thing and elevated a coach from within their ranks to preserve continuity, and we didn't have to keep a D coordinator with a chip on his shoulder.

Sorry to disappoint those of you who hoped that this would diminish the hopes of the upstart Boise State Broncos.

We will be back in 2010.....and stronger than ever!