TIM LESTER

Lester, a 46-year-old Illinois Native, has ties with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur – they were in the same quarterback room during WMU’s 1998 and 1999 seasons. Lester was removed from WMU coaching duties following the Broncos’ 5-7 2022 campaign, the first losing season in his six-year tenure. RELATED: Former WMU football coach Tim Lester on 6-year run with Broncos, what’s nextThat doesn’t mean he can’t bring success to the NFL. He’s served as the quarterbacks coach at Syracuse, Purdue and WMU, while starting his college head coaching career at NCAA Division II Saint Joseph’s College in 2004. Fresh off a rollercoaster 2022 season, Lester joins a Packers staff enduring their first losing campaign since 2018.

KALAMAZOO, MI – It was a nerve-wracking race to the finish line, but Western Michigan ended college football’s early signing period with one of the best recruiting classes in the Mid-American Conference. “For them to feel comfortable that quickly after the signing day – it was a whirlwind tour. “He is a really talented player and a kid that I saw and met him and his mom at their school,” Taylor said. “I think that our recruiting footprint is our six-hour radius, and we have to be great in the state of Michigan and Ohio. Hester, receiver Tony Martin, and offensive lineman Luke Zanotti – have graduated high school early and will enroll at WMU for the upcoming semester, making them eligible to start working out with the team on Jan. 9.

KALAMAZOO, MI – A coaching change can wreak havoc on a college football recruiting class, but Western Michigan appears to have salvaged what is shaping up to be one of the Mid-American Conference’s best groups heading into Wednesday’s early signing day. WMU ranks second to only rival Central Michigan for total recruiting points, which takes into account the number of players committed and their individual rankings. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Storer is a Dallas native that picked WMU over offers from Kansas and California, among others, and he ranked as the Broncos’ fourth-best player in the 2023 recruiting class. WMU’s new coaching staff got some good news on the offensive side of the ball, when Ohio Mr. Football finalist C.J. Wyoming athletic director Jeff King said Hester plans to seal his WMU pledge by signing a national letter of intent on Wednesday.

Defensive coordinator Lou Esposito is expected to retain his same role under Taylor, who was announced as Tim Lester’s replacement atop the program on Thursday. ESPN’s Pete Thamel broke the news on Sunday, and Esposito appeared to affirm the report by retweeting Thamel’s post with a hashtag #DBlock2023 referring to the Broncos’ defense for the upcoming season. The Broncos were also third in the MAC in interceptions (11) and passing yards allowed per game (212.1). On a national scale, WMU’s 14 fumbles recovered ranked third in college football, and its 25 turnovers gained ranked sixth. Esposito returned to Kalamazoo in 2017 as Lester’s co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, then took over sole responsibility of the defensive coordinator role in 2019.

The former Western Michigan University football coach has dedicated his life to the sport since his pee-wee playing days, and while it has afforded him a lot, it hasn’t come without sacrifice. Members of the Western Michigan football team pose at midfield after the second half of the Quick Lane Bowl NCAA college football game against Nevada, Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, in Detroit. “If you show the ability to hire a successful football coach and support them, then you’ll be in the SEC in a couple of years. “He’s going to be supported, I think, and he’ll be funded like I used to be funded. “I think he’s a good A.D., and I think he’s going to do a great job, and he gets to do his job, which is hire a coach, support him and go win,” he said.

That was made clear during a Monday afternoon press conference with WMU athletic director Dan Bartholomae, who talked about the decision to fire football coach Tim Lester after six seasons atop the program. “That is one, and that’s an important one.”Western Michigan head football coach Tim Lester talks to the media after the first day of practice at Waldo Stadium on the campus of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. Since joining the MAC in 1948, WMU has claimed three football conference championships, most recently in 2016, when P.J. Nothing is more important to an athletic director than hiring a head coach and hiring the right head coach. Fleck, who became a first-time head coach with the Broncos.

The Broncos announced a change of leadership regarding their football team as head coach Tim Lester will not be returning after the 2022 season.

KALAMAZOO, MI – Western Michigan University announced Monday the firing of head football coach Tim Lester following the Broncos’ 2022 campaign, in which the team posted its first losing season in his six-year tenure. “First, I am disappointed that I won’t get to lead the Western Michigan football program and these players in the future,” Lester said in a press release. “The upcoming college football playoff expansion and the incredible foundation for success we have within our football program provides an exciting national opportunity for Bronco football,” Bartholomae said. “It is imperative that we seize this opportunity by pursuing a new direction within our football program. “Western Michigan University can set the standard for football in the MAC, which in turn will position us for success in the new and evolving college football landscape.

Mihalic’s third punt of the night also made him WMU’s career record holder, surpassing J. Schroeder’s 230 punts from 2012-15. “That really hurt us,” WMU head coach Tim Lester said of Tyler’s injury on the second-to-last play of the third quarter. Holding a two-score lead with just over a quarter remaining put WMU in good position against a struggling Toledo offense that benched rotated quarterbacks Dequan Finn and Gleason for much of the game. “In the next week, we’re going to sit down, meet, figure out – we have to get better, period, the end. Everything that’s happened on the offensive side hasn’t been good enough, and I’ve got to find a way to make it better.

MOUNT PLEASANT, MI – Western Michigan’s Parker Domschke had the inside scoop and knew what type of weather was coming to Mount Pleasant for Wednesday’s rivalry game against Central Michigan. “I wasn’t expecting that, but coming from the Midwest, you get lucky enough to get used to those elements. That’s his strength, and watching him make the adjustment that fast… I was just so proud of that adjustment because that’s hard. But outside of that long run, WMU’s defense held CMU to 193 yards of offense, including 99 rushing yards at 2.8 per carry. Emanuel Jr. completed all three of his passes for 32 yards, while backup Bauer was 3 of 7 for 62 yards.

The Broncos are 3-7 overall and 2-4 in Mid-American Conference play, which means no bowl game after next week’s regular season finale against West Division champ Toledo. “We’ve had a good week, and obviously, this is an easy week to get up for: Central Michigan,” he said. Beyond the rivalry, CMU (4-6, 3-3) also has bowl eligibility at stake, needing to win Wednesday and next week at Eastern Michigan to qualify for a postseason game. 10 (Richardson) will play; we’ve watched No. He’s hard on himself, and I think that’s one of the reasons you see the improvement week in and week out.

“He showed improvement reading coverage, used his feet well,” WMU head coach Tim Lester said of Bourguet. What I mean by that is reading coverage, putting the ball in tight windows and not just scrambling all the time. That squandered big play was a theme for the Broncos, who had two touchdowns called back due to penalties. “We called a pass play, and we called a pass protection; that was the frustrating part,” Lester said. Tyler led WMU’s ground game with 97 yards on 18 carries, and Crooms led the receivers with 105 yards on seven catches.

KALAMAZOO, MI – It didn’t take long for Western Michigan’s offensive coaches to start seeing some promise in true freshman quarterback Treyson Bourguet. Players can take the field for up to four games and still preserve a redshirt, which would give Bourguet and extra year of eligibility down the road. That isn’t factoring into this week’s contest, but it will come into play sooner than later, Lester said during this week’s media availability. “Our job is to win this game, and we’ll discuss next week, next week. “I think he was better in Game 2 than Game 1,” Lester said of Bourguet.

Both Bourguet and Salopek, as well as running quarterback Mareyohn Hrabowski, will be ready for Bowling Green, but head coach Tim Lester said the starter won’t be announced until kickoff. I’m not necessarily going to say who’s going to start, but they’re both ready,” Lester said. “I put the plan together; Eric was upstairs, so Eric called the plays with me,” Lester said. “My biggest thing is we’re struggling on offense, and we need to make changes,” said Lester, who will use the same play-calling arrangement this week at Bowling Green. 1 scoring offense into nationally ranked series vs. Notre DameOffense’s ‘complete disaster’ of a 2nd half dooms WMU football in loss to Ohio

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Western Michigan football team will be without running back La’Darius Jefferson for an undetermined amount of time due to his suspension for a violation of team rules. “He’s been suspended indefinitely from our team for an off the field issue for a violation of team rules, and that’s all I’m going to say about that now,” Lester said. The 6-foot-1, 238-pound senior leads WMU in rushing touchdowns (5) and ranks second on the team in rushing yards (240) and carries (56) through seven games this season. Jefferson received immediate eligibility at WMU after his transfer and led the Broncos with 624 yards and five touchdowns at 5.6 yards per carry during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. As a fourth-year junior in 2021, Jefferson led WMU in rushing touchdowns (10), while ranking second in both yards (760) and carries (173).

Two plays later, Samson Evans punched in the second of his three touchdown runs to make it 21-0. WMU’s defense didn’t get its first stop until EMU’s fourth drive, which ended with 11:51 left in the second quarter. EMU’s offense went three-and-out on its next drive, and while Eagles’ punter Mitchell Tomasek wasn’t needed often, he pinned WMU down at the 11-yard line. WMU hadn’t allowed 35 points in a half since its 2018 Potato Bowl loss to BYU and future No. Jack (Sherwin) played right (tackle), Matt (Muetterties) played right, (Adam) Vandervest played right tackle because that was a major issue.

“He’s been practicing this week; looks good,” Lester of the redshirt freshman signal caller, who started WMU’s first three games. Perhaps most frustrating were the four first-quarter false start penalties that put WMU behind the chains when the Broncos could least afford it. “We obviously had Mareyohn in, so the cadence was a little bit different, but we got that fixed immediately. “The starting lineup may or may not be the same as last week because we need more up there. That (San Jose State) defensive front, I think they made a difference in the game…“We have a good group, and they’re working at it.

KALAMAZOO, MI – Western Michigan will be without two defensive starters for Saturday’s college football game against Pittsburgh. “He’s out of the boot, which was just for healing and swelling purposes,” Lester said of Kneeland. “I mean, they’re really all making plays and comfortable in what we’re doing, and I was really proud of them. That has given Lester and his defensive coaching staff some extra homework heading into Saturday’s kickoff. I would call it differently when our backup quarterback goes in for the start of the third quarter.

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Western Michigan football will be without one of its top pass rushers for at least the Broncos’ Week 2 matchup with Ball State. “He tried to gut it out (against Michigan State); some things you can gut out, some things you can’t, and he just didn’t have a lot of power pushing off. Lee, a former two-star recruit out of South Bend, Ind., saw action in two games last season and made one tackle against MSU. In addition to Lee and Fiske seeing time at defensive end against Ball State, Lester said redshirt freshmen Elijah Hawk (6-3, 265), Joshua Nobles (6-2, 250) and Corey Walker (6-5, 270) could also rotate into the lineup. 15 Michigan State pulls away for 35-13 season-opening win vs. Western MichiganOverheard outside Michigan State’s locker room: Mindset to dominate and a stupid playMichigan State without notable players for season opener vs. Western MichiganAfter 3 knee surgeries, Muskegon native ready for big season with WMU football

A week into the 2022 season, it has become clear how much the Broncos’ coaching staff likes the true freshman signal caller out of Arizona. WMU released its first depth chart Wednesday, and Bourguet is listed at the back-up behind redshirt freshman Jack Salopek. Aside from starting kicker Palmer Domschke and backup kicker Cale Allaire, Bourguet is the only true freshman on the Broncos’ two-deep heading into Saturday’s Mid-American Conference opener at Ball State. 14 Michigan State, completing 21 of 36 passes for 193 yards and ripping off a 61-yard run. RELATED: Western Michigan football adds 3-star QB on national signing dayRated as a three-star prospect and the No.

There was a late change to the TV broadcast for Michigan State football’s season opener. 15 Spartans host Western Michigan on Friday (7 p.m.) in East Lansing and that game was moved from ESPN to ESPN2, it was announced Thursday night. 5 things to watch in Michigan State vs. Western Michigan and a final score predictionWilliams, 40, is 23-time Grand Slam winner and one of the most accomplished athletes of all time. Michigan State is favored by 21.5 points, according to vegasinsider.com as of Thursday night. Related Michigan State football stories:Spartan Confidential podcast: Are you ready for some Michigan State football?

Senior tight end Austin Hence will miss several weeks with a knee injury sustained during fall camp, Lester said during Tuesday’s press conference. “We were really excited about him at the tight end spot,” Lester said. “We could’ve used (him) last year, but he got hurt,” Lester said of Hence back on Aug. 4. Holland West Ottawa's Blake Bosma (19) makes a catch against Stevensville Lakeshore's Kyle Wojahn at West Ottawa on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018. Cory Morse | MLive.comCory Morse | MLive.com“He’ll be one of our three men that rotate in there,” Lester said of Bosma.

EAST LANSING – The calendar says Monday but it’s actually Tuesday for the Michigan State football team. “We’re in the weeds right now,” coach Mel Tucker said of the intensity and focus in practice. The rise of Mel Tucker, Michigan State’s $95M coachWestern Michigan is coming off an 8-5 season and coach Tim Lester is heading into his sixth year leading the program. Lester in January hired a new offensive coordinator in Jeff Thorne, who is the father of Michigan State starting quarterback Payton Thorne. They’re going to be more intense than that, they’re going to be stronger than that, they’re going to be faster than that, they’re going to be more physical than that.

Thorne has been calling college football offenses for the last 20 years, and though he’s heading into his first at WMU, his philosophy, particularly involving the passing game, has Kalamazoo roots. “We were having trouble moving him around and finding the way to most efficiently do that,” Thorne said of Spencer. Now in his sixth year as the Broncos head coach, Lester has been able to relax his grip on the offense by hiring a long-trusted friend and colleague, who shares the same football philosophies. They’re aggressive, multiple fronts, a lot of different looks, and for our young quarterbacks, what a great way to learn. More WMU sports coverageEx-Western Michigan RB named to college football’s athletic ‘freaks’ listWMU football’s offensive line taking shape after first week of fall campBig Ten, ACC transfers add talent, experience to WMU football WR roomStarting QB emerging as WMU football kicks off 2022 fall campFormer Western Michigan football prized OL recruit no longer with team5 things to watch from Western Michigan football’s 2022 fall camp

KALAMAZOO, MI – The “thuds” echoed a little louder throughout Waldo Stadium on Tuesday, as the Western Michigan football team held its first full pads and full contact practice of the Broncos’ 2022 fall camp. “It doesn’t change much for the O-line,” senior left tackle Dylan Deatherage said. Sherwin switched from jumbo tight end, while Gideon started all 13 games at left guard last year. Deatherage started 12 at right guard, but was recruited as a long and lean tackle and has shown inside-outside versatility throughout his six-year career. More WMU sports coverageBig Ten, ACC transfers add talent, experience to WMU football WR roomStarting QB emerging as WMU football kicks off 2022 fall campFormer Western Michigan football prized OL recruit no longer with teamWestern Michigan Football schedule, win total odds and predictions5 things to watch from Western Michigan football’s 2022 fall campFour more WMU football players named to national award watch listsWestern Michigan RB Sean Tyler named to Maxwell Award watch list

When asked about what the newcomers bring to the receiving room, Lester showed little hesitation in saying, “experience.”“They’re both great kids, great students, college graduates,” Lester said. Abbott came to Western Michigan from the University of Wisconsin. “(Abbott) was the second-fastest kid on that Wisconsin football team, and he can flat-out run, and he’s big,” Lester said. 2 and 3 end up being.”WMU travels to Michigan State to kick off its 2022 college football season on Friday, Sept. 2. More WMU sports coverageStarting QB emerging as WMU football kicks off 2022 fall campFormer Western Michigan football prized OL recruit no longer with teamWestern Michigan Football schedule, win total odds and predictions5 things to watch from Western Michigan football’s 2022 fall campFour more WMU football players named to national award watch listsWestern Michigan RB Sean Tyler named to Maxwell Award watch list

“That’s the most fun thing about college football and why I love it so much,” Lester said. “I thought Stone threw it pretty good; Mareyohn threw it pretty good,” Lester said. Western Michigan offensive lineman run through drills during the first day of practice at Waldo Stadium on the campus of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. Western Michigan senior running back La'Darius Jefferson prepares to put on his helmet for the first day of practice at Waldo Stadium on the campus of Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022. More WMU sports coverageFormer Western Michigan football prized OL recruit no longer with team5 things to watch from Western Michigan football’s 2022 fall campWestern Michigan Football schedule, win total odds and predictionsWMU women’s golf coach honored and humbled after U.S. Adaptive Open winWestern Michigan RB Sean Tyler named to Maxwell Award watch listFour more WMU football players named to national award watch listsWestern Michigan gives fans first look at QB battle, 2022 team at football spring gameSee photos from the Western Michigan University Broncos’ spring football game

KALAMAZOO, MI – The top-rated prospect from Western Michigan’s 2021 recruiting class is no longer on the team heading into the upcoming season. Head coach Tim Lester confirmed Thursday that offensive tackle Brandon Honorable is no longer with the Broncos, citing academic reasons for the highly touted recruit’s departure.

Today’s Win Total Wednesday piece marks the third article we’ve written leading up to the College Football season, and you can check out our piece on Michigan State’s win total and Eastern Michigan’s win total too. Our experts have reviewed their schedule and the odds surrounding the team to make a best bet on Western Michigan’s regular season win total. Western Michigan Football win total and betting oddsWestern Michigan had an up and down season last year, which included an away win over Pittsburgh and a Bowl victory over Nevada. Western Michigan football 2022 scheduleWestern Michigan had a quick start to their 2021 season, and after a 47-14 opening loss to the Michigan Wolverines, WMU won four straight games. MORE SPORTS BETTING STORIESCaesars Sportsbook promo: Code MLIVE15 unlocks risk-free action for today’s gamesWyndham Championship 2022 field, odds and free expert picksEastern Michigan football schedule, win total odds and a best betMichigan State win total is one of BetMGM’s biggest liabilitiesDetroit Lions schedule, odds and a best bet for their 2022 win total as they start training camp

KALAMAZOO, MI – Western Michigan University opened a practice and scrimmage to the public Saturday at Seelye Athletic Center to showcase the Bronco’s football lineup. Western Michigan Broncos tight end Austin Hence (88) is tackled by Western Michigan Broncos linebacker Harrison Taylor (13) and Western Michigan Broncos linebacker Boone Bonnema (22) during the second quarter of the Western Michigan University spring football game inside Seelye Athletic Center in Kalamazoo on Saturday, March 26, 2022. (Daniel Shular | MLive.com)Daniel Shular | MLive.comWestern Michigan Broncos quarterback Mareyohn Hrabowski (7) throws a pass and avoids a sack by Western Michigan Broncos defensive lineman Marshawn Kneeland (94) during the second quarter of the Western Michigan University spring football game inside Seelye Athletic Center in Kalamazoo on Saturday, March 26, 2022. (Daniel Shular | MLive.com)Daniel Shular | MLive.comWestern Michigan offensive coordinator Jeff Thorne speaks with Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Anthony Sambucci (2) as he stretches before the scrimmage game at the Western Michigan University spring football game inside Seelye Athletic Center in Kalamazoo on Saturday, March 26, 2022. (Daniel Shular | MLive.com)Daniel Shular | MLive.comWestern Michigan Broncos running back Trae Allen (32) blocks Western Michigan Broncos defensive lineman Ali Fayad (1) from sacking Western Michigan Broncos quarterback Stone Hollenbach (14) during the third quarter of the Western Michigan University spring football game inside Seelye Athletic Center in Kalamazoo on Saturday, March 26, 2022.

For the first time in the Tim Lester era, WMU concluded spring practice with a spring game, which pitted the Broncos starters on the Brown team against the reserves on the White team. The junior wideout was the top target at the Broncos’ spring game and should be in for a big season after waiting his turn behind NFL draft picks @allaroundplays & @skyymoore24. pic.twitter.com/rKEmz2J1X3 — Patrick Nothaft (@Patrick_Nothaft) March 26, 2022No replay challenges at the @wmu_football spring game this year, but this 2pt conversion catch by @CroomsCorey from @JackSalopek looked like it would’ve counted, despite the ruling on the field of an incompletion. @WMU_Football QB @JackSalopek shows his wheels on this read-option keeper to pick up a nice gain at the Broncos’ spring game. If our offense only gets 10 points, we’ll win that game because of what the defense does.

The 6-foot-4, 345-pound Houston native earned Second Team All-Western Athletic Conference honors in 2021, before deciding to transfer for his final season of college football eligibility. So, I felt like Western Michigan was a perfect fit for me to develop myself into being a professional.”“Not a lot of schools’ coaches have pictures of their family in their office, but at Western Michigan, all the coaches’ offices have pictures of their family, and I’ve never seen that,” Anderson added. “So, I know right off the bat that it’s a family environment, and that opened my eyes, as well. “Being young, I didn’t know much, didn’t know how to cooperate and didn’t know how to do the things required in being a teammate,” he said. “I just feel like I’m going to work with the O-line, but I’m also going to work with every position to just make them feel like they can come to me if they need anything.

“Our goal is to develop players to give them this chance, and obviously the pro teams don’t have to show up,” Lester said. @K_Eleby5 drops one in the bucket to @skyymoore24 40 yards downfield along the sideline during @WMU_Football’s Pro Day. 14 players participating in front of scouts from 30 NFL teams. Pro Football Focus ranks Moore as the sixth-best wideout in a loaded draft class, and lists him at No. But NFL teams value pass rushers more than ever, and Fayad said some see him moving to outside linebacker at the next level.

KALAMAZOO, MI – Less than two months after it wrapped up its 2021 football season with a Quick Lane Bowl win at Ford Field, Western Michigan officially began its 2022 campaign with the start of spring practice this week. While the journey starts in Kalamazoo, the destination, as laid out by the 117th edition of WMU football, is a return to Detroit for the Mid-American Conference championship game. “Returning to Detroit and finishing what we started in the bowl game,” junior running back Sean Tyler said of his goal for this season. “It feels a little bit different coming into this after winning the bowl game,” senior linebacker Corvin Moment said. The Broncos open their 2022 season on Friday, Sept. 2 against Michigan State at Spartan Stadium.

KALAMAZOO, MI – The Western Michigan football team is set to make its first trip to a Southeastern Conference school since head coach Tim Lester was the team’s quarterback, following Tuesday’s announcement that the Broncos will play Mississippi State in 2023. “We are excited to be able to add this storied program to our schedule on such a short timeline and are appreciative of the efforts of Mississippi State to partner with us on this tremendous matchup and opportunity for our program,” WMU athletic director Dan Bartholomae said in a statement. “We look forward to our trip to Starkville in 2023.”Contract details for the game were not available at time of publication. Western Michigan is 1-5 all-time against current SEC schools, with the lone win coming in 1998, when Lester quarterbacked the Broncos to a 27-24 victory at Vanderbilt. WMU also recently replaced a 2024 home game against Cincinnati with a road game against Ohio State that netted the Broncos $1.3 million.

Then came the transfer portal, followed by the NCAA’s decision to allow every college football player to switch schools once without losing a year of eligibility. More than 1,400 college football players in the portal for the 2021-22 recruiting cycle and 130 Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches scouring the list for players that could help their teams as soon as this fall. RELATED: WMU football lands commitment from Purdue CB transfer Anthony RomphfThat’s where he’ll start his career at WMU, with three years of eligibility remaining. Both Romphf and Austin are currently enrolled at WMU and will be available for spring practice, which starts Feb. 20. So far, WMU has brought in more transfer contributors than it has lost to the portal, but that might not be the case every year.

KALAMAZOO, MI – Not long ago, the first Wednesday in February was an observed holiday for college football junkies, but National Signing Day lost much of its luster with the advent of the early signing period in 2017. While the bulk of college football prospects now sign in December, National Signing Day still represents an opportunity for overlooked kids to find a destination and for college football teams to round out their recruiting classes. Lester said Hollenbach is the type who gets it done with his arm and an advanced understanding of college football offenses, while Bourguet can throw it and make things happen with his legs. “Stone’s been the scout team quarterback at Alabama, so he’s been running all different types of offenses,” Lester said. “He understood his role and worked extremely hard to help his team make deep runs in the playoffs every season.”WMU kicks off its 2022 season against Michigan State on Saturday, Sept. 3 at Spartan Stadium.

KALAMAZOO, MI – Western Michigan’s 2022 football season opener against Michigan State just got a bit more interesting. In 15 total seasons at North Central, Thorne coached three All-American quarterbacks and had his signal callers earn conference Player of the Year honors nine times. Over the past two seasons, North Central averaged 50 points per game, which allowed the Cardinals to compile a nation-best 24-game winning streak. He is a great football coach and a man of high character. Jeff’s offenses at North Central College have put up incredible numbers during his career.

KALAMAZOO, MI – In one of his first major moves since becoming Western Michigan’s athletic director, Dan Bartholomae stamped his approval on the Bronco football team’s 8-5 2021 season by giving head coach Tim Lester a contract extension through 2025. In his five years as WMU’s head coach, Lester holds a 32-25 overall record and a 22-16 mark in the Mid-American Conference, including MAC West runner-up finishes in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Follow along below to see more incentives and buyout information for Lester’s contract, which runs through the 2025 season. 3 WMU hockey to hold Lawson Arena watch party, open skate for series opener at No. 7 Minnesota DuluthStatus of WMU hockey captain Paul Washe uncertain amid indefinite suspension‘No excuses’ for No.

KALAMAZOO, MI – Western Michigan athletic director Dan Bartholomae made the biggest move of his early tenure in Kalamazoo Tuesday by announcing a two-year contract extension for head football coach Tim Lester. The agreement keeps Lester in Kalamazoo through the 2025 college football season. “Tim Lester has represented Western Michigan University in a first-class manner as a student-athlete, alum, and as our head football coach,” said Bartholomae, who took over for former athletic director Kathy Beauregard on Jan. 1, 2022. In his five years atop WMU’s football program, Lester holds a 32-25 record, including an 8-5 finish in 2021, which ended with the second bowl win in program history and marked his most successful season as the Broncos’ head coach. “I am thrilled and grateful to agree to a two-year contract extension with Western Michigan University which is so special to me,” Lester said in a press release.

KALAMAZOO, MI – Western Michigan redshirt sophomore quarterback Kaleb Eleby will forego his final two years of college eligibility to pursue his pro football dream. “The last four years at WMU have been epic,” Eleby said via Twitter. Should Eleby hear his name called in one of the seven rounds, he’ll become the Broncos’ first quarterback selected in the NFL draft. Eleby will be part of a quarterback class that features a few first-round possibilities, but lacks a sure-fire top-10 pick. Pro Football Network’s Dalton Miller projects Eleby as the 17th pick in Round 3 (92nd overall) in his latest three-round mock draft.

RELATED: See Western Michigan football’s 2022 recruiting class from early signing dayBonnema the top-rated prospectFor the second consecutive year, the top-rated player in WMU’s early signing day class is a defensive end, and this one picked the Broncos over scholarship offers from Michigan State, Iowa and Cincinnati, among others. “Long defensive end, going to fill out. “We recruited him hard in high school until Kansas State came in to kind of swooped in,” Lester said. I think he’s 295 pounds, athletic; he’s going to be an interior guy… (Givens is) a guy that’s super explosive, twitchy off the ball, and we like that. “I got a call from coach U – coach Uzelac, former head coach here and a great high school coach everywhere he’s been,” Lester said.

KALAMAZOO, MI - College football recruiting is an inexact science, particularly at the Group of Five level, where three- and two-star prospects comprise the majority of classes. Follow along for a look at the 13 newest Broncos from WMU’s 2022 early signing day class. Tag BonnemaPosition: Defensive linemanHigh school: Zeeland EastMeasurables: 6-foot-4, 228 pounds247Sports Composite rating: 3-star, 0.8530Click here for Bonnema’s highlight tape---Saveon BrownPosition: Defensive backHigh school: Thornwood (South Holland, Ill.)Measurables: 6-foot-1, 200 pounds247Sports Composite rating: 3-star, 0.8396Click here for Brown’s highlight tape---Isaiah StreetPosition: Defensive linemanHigh school: Brownsburg (Brownsburg, Ind.) Measurables: 6-foot-5, 230 pounds247Sports Composite rating: 3-star, 0.8248Click here for Street’s highlight tape---Nate AndersonPosition: Wide receiverHigh school: Homestead (Fort Wayne, Ind.) Michigan high school football recruits navigate 2021 early signing dayMichigan State signs highest-ranked class in six years, featuring five 4-star recruitsWill Johnson, centerpiece of Michigan’s 2022 recruiting class, is ‘ready to work’

With the win, WMU improves to 6-4 overall and 3-3 in the MAC, with the Broncos gaining bowl eligibility for the seventh consecutive season, not counting last year’s 4-2 pandemic-shortened campaign. The victory also snaps a two-game losing streak, in which turnovers and big plays allowed doomed the Broncos. “So it’s just great for our fans, for the seniors, for their families to get to win No. His first try landed well short of the uprights, but Akron called a late timeout to ice the kicker, giving Mihalic another try. His fourth interception of the season changed the complexion of the game, but Lester said the sophomore signal caller showed resiliency in the game-winning drive.

KALAMAZOO, MI – It was no secret Central Michigan’s plan was to get Kalil Pimpleton the ball in Wednesday’s rivalry football game against Western Michigan. Central Michigan Chippewas wide receiver Kalil Pimpleton (88) runs the ball at the game between WMU and CMU at Waldo Stadium on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. The second touchdown wasn’t enough because we wanted to get up, so you have to get another one. Central Michigan Chippewas quarterback Daniel Richardson (10) runs the ball at the game between WMU and CMU at Waldo Stadium on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. Western Michigan Broncos running back Sean Tyler (9) runs the ball at the game between WMU and CMU at Waldo Stadium on Wednesday, November 3, 2021.

That’s his record as a player against heated rival Central Michigan, and it’s a win-loss ratio he’ll never forget. “It’s so much more than a game with this rivalry, and it’s been that way since I played. Central Michigan head coach Jim McElwain walks the sidelines during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game against Miami of Ohio, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Detroit. “The game the game never loses its intensity, no matter when you play it,” Lester said. Western Michigan safety Bricen Garner (2) looks back to the sideline in the second quarter of their college football game against Michigan at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, on Saturday, September 4, 2021.

KALAMAZOO, MI – Western Michigan and Kent State both rank among college football’s top 10 in plays run per game, but they have vastly different ways of getting there. “As soon as one unit is done with a play, the next huddle is already broke, so you can really run a lot of plays,” Lester said. “So far, our guys have really owned it, and they’ve enjoyed it, and the practices have been really good. “Huge challenge for defense this week, and they have fast guys. “When teams normally play an offense like this, they’re trying to hold the ball,” Lester said.

Western Michigan fans are gearing up to cheer on the Broncos football team Saturday as the 2021 homecoming week kicks into full gear on WMU’s campus in Kalamazoo. General public parking costs $10, and is parking areas are located off of Oakland Drive, Stadium Drive and West Michigan Avenue. Additional parking is available along Oakland Drive, near the corner of Oakland Drive and Howard Street. Western Michigan Bronco students make their way through a tailgate lot before the season opener against Syracuse Orange at Western Michigan University's Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Portrait of WMU fans during the game between WMU and ISU at WMU’s Waldo Stadium on Saturday, September 11, 2021.

KALAMAZOO, MI-- Western Michigan University was back at Waldo Stadium Saturday afternoon as they hosted Ball State. The Broncos lost to the Cardinals 45-20 and now have a record of 4-2. MLive was there to document the action, both on and off of the field. Check out 34 photos from the game in the gallery above. Next week Western Michigan will be celebrating homecoming as they host divisional opponent Kent State on Saturday, Oct. 16 with a kickoff time scheduled for 3:30 p.m.More WMU news:WMU football’s elite ball-control offense a product of players over play calling, coach saysHistorical photos show homecoming through the years at Western Michigan UniversityWestern Michigan receives votes in both college football polls for first time since 2016WMU football gets coach Tim Lester back for MAC opener, loses CB DaShon Bussell for season

In the opinion of head coach Tim Lester, it’s more a product of the Broncos’ players than the play calling. “That was one of the things we didn’t do last year; we did not play complementary,” Lester said. “We were playing 80 plays a game last year (on defense) and not getting turnovers. So, we have depth there for injury purposes, but by design, hopefully, they’re not having to play 80-90 plays a game. I mean, Waldo is a place that gives us an advantage,” said Lester, who quarterbacked the Broncos from 1996-99.

Starting cornerback DaShon Bussell sustained a shoulder injury during the Week 2 win over Illinois State and will undergo season-ending surgery Thursday. Saturday, I had 12,000 steps from one side of my basement to the other side of my basement,” Lester said. “Anytime you don’t turn the ball over, and you hold it for 37 minutes, you have a chance to win,” he said of the San Jose State game. “I thought we started the ball game not executing terribly well, and then later on, I just think we missed a couple throws, and we took a couple sacks we didn’t need to take. We also have to be more efficient in the passing game, and that’s something that I pride myself on.

The University of Michigan opens its football season against a program with zero success against the Wolverines.

Michigan will soon get a chance to accomplish something it failed to do last season.