THE COACHING LEGACY OF RICK LYKELL
Rick Lykell had been waiting for his chance at becoming a head coach for a while. He had only dreamed about it for most of his life. He knew that he had to prove himself before getting hired, but leading his hometown Maple Grove Crimson to multiple State football championships lead him to being called and interviewed at an unlikely location, Western Michigan. This sort of interview was one where Rick didn't think that much would come of it. He figured that he would have to prove his worth at some lower schools before joining a conference such as the MAC. That day would become true because in a shocking move, the Western Michigan Broncos fired their acting head coach, Bill Cubit.
Bill Cubit went 34-27 with the Broncos.
I was able to get a 1-on-1 exclusive with Rick, and here's what he had to say:
Western Michigan Insider: Rick, you've only coached at the high school level, and haven't ever recruited before, how do you expect to be able to compete at a school like WMU?
Rick Lykell: I've had plenty of success back in Minnesota coaching for the Crimson, and we've never had the best players, but it's doing what I know, and that's how to move the ball. I know that it's been a Pro style offense around here with a 4-3 base defense, but I'm planning on taking my Air Raid style offense from Maple Grove and the 3-4 base defense and I will do what I know best.
WMI: What are your goals here at WMU?
RL: My goals are very simple, and that's to beat CMU and EMU. I also plan on competing for a MAC title each and every year, and it's our goal to be in a bowl game every year.
WMI: How will you handle the recruiting process?
RL: We know that it's not going to be easy to just recruit anyone, that's why we plan on staying in Michigan for the most part, but will venture into other areas if there is a need that we must fill. We believe that we can win with our "Air Raid" offense, and we intend to prove that.
WIM: Thank you for your time Coach Lykell.
RL: Thank you.
Bill Cubit went 34-27 with the Broncos.
I was able to get a 1-on-1 exclusive with Rick, and here's what he had to say:
Western Michigan Insider: Rick, you've only coached at the high school level, and haven't ever recruited before, how do you expect to be able to compete at a school like WMU?
Rick Lykell: I've had plenty of success back in Minnesota coaching for the Crimson, and we've never had the best players, but it's doing what I know, and that's how to move the ball. I know that it's been a Pro style offense around here with a 4-3 base defense, but I'm planning on taking my Air Raid style offense from Maple Grove and the 3-4 base defense and I will do what I know best.
WMI: What are your goals here at WMU?
RL: My goals are very simple, and that's to beat CMU and EMU. I also plan on competing for a MAC title each and every year, and it's our goal to be in a bowl game every year.
WMI: How will you handle the recruiting process?
RL: We know that it's not going to be easy to just recruit anyone, that's why we plan on staying in Michigan for the most part, but will venture into other areas if there is a need that we must fill. We believe that we can win with our "Air Raid" offense, and we intend to prove that.
WIM: Thank you for your time Coach Lykell.
RL: Thank you.
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