P.J. Fleck, we mean this in the most brahsome way possible: We think we love you. (AP)

By Holly Anderson

Do you have a favorite MAC team, gentle readers? If not, why not? They’re immense fun, and having a tertiary weeknight rooting interest makes fantastic Saturday conditioning for one’s liver and spleen.

For the unaffiliated, might we suggest Western Michigan? This offseason alone, they’ve:

• Hired a guy named “P.J. Fleck,” who is approximately 19 years old and has this hair. Think of this as the Kliff Kingsbury hire of the mid-majors.

• Sent Fleck and his wife, a new mother, into a freezing lake in the snow.

• Sent out this press release.

• Hired a DJ for their spring game? Hired a DJ for their spring game!

Also new to the game this year will be a live DJ playing throughout the scrimmage, giving fans a look into what they can expect once the season kicks off in 2013.

MESSAGE RECEIVED.

Go Broncos, is our point.

Here is new Western Michigan coach P.J. Fleck jumping into an iced-over pond for love of team and country, followed by his wife, Tracy. Mr. Fleck has painted his chest like a student section stalwart. Mrs. Fleck had a baby two months ago and is out running around in a bathing suit in the snow. Western Michigan is our favorite MAC team of 2013 already.

• Strap on your best Vandal sandals. Idaho will hold walk-on football tryouts later this month.

• Somewhere in Atlanta, Paul Johnson’s mouth quirks in what could almost be a human smile. Florida State lost close to half a million dollars playing in the ACC championship game.

• More money-losing endeavors. Fallout from the Jerry Sandusky case has cost Penn State more than $27 million so far, not including the $60 million fine levied by the NCAA.

• Y’all ain’t from around here, are you? Please remind us, when we finally get out of the blogging game and around to setting up our very own drug cartel, to emblazon all vehicles we own with drug-related stickers as a handy clue for local law enforcement.

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DeWayne Walker set the coaching carousel spinning once more with his late departure from New Mexico State. (AP)

Tommy Tuberville’s sitting by the phone* and Jimmy Sexton’s got that particular sparkle in his eye. It can mean only one thing: The coach firin’ season is upon us once more. We’ll be tracking the carousel of progress, right here, for as long as it takes to stop spinning. Raise a glass to times past, won’t you? * Well, not anymore, but never tell us we don’t have the gift of very specific prophecy through throwaway jokes.

New Mexico State [updated 02.01.2013]

• Who’s out: DeWayne Walker, who jumps to the NFL with less than two weeks remaining between now and Signing Day. And not even for a coordinating gig: Walker will coach defensive backs for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Walker released the following statement through the athletic department: “I really appreciate the opportunity that Dr. Boston and New Mexico State gave me to be a Division I head football coach. Unfortunately, I did not get the program as far as I would have liked from a wins and losses standpoint. But, we do have a better locker room, better kids and a better foundation for the program moving forward. There are a lot of people that I want to thank for their support and will be reaching out to those individuals in the coming days. They have helped me in moving the program forward. I am excited about starting a new chapter in my coaching career, as is my family. I wish New Mexico State great success in the future and wish everyone the best. Go Aggies!” • Who’s in: Doug Martin — the one who played at Kentucky, not the one who played at Boise State. Although if Martin The Younger is really so opposed to his excellent nickname, we’re gonna refer to Martin The Elder as coach Muscle Hamster instead. It’s been a whirlwind courtship for Martin and the Aggies: He was announced as offensive coordinator on January 17, temporarily promoted to interim head coach on January 24 and will be officially announced as DeWayne Walker’s successor on Monday, February 4. Martin’s previous head coaching experience consists of a seven-year stint at Kent State, from 2004-2010. Read More…