Something is brewing inside the Boise State football complex, something seriously delicious. But is it real? Is it sustainable?
For the Broncos, these are critical questions heading into a new, promising, reputation-saving season.
A season that can’t get here fast enough.
The long list of offseason happiness, brewed quickly over 269 days after coach Andy Avalos was fired in November, is mind-blowing. The timing has been perfect. A national program that was losing national credibility is back in the national spotlight because of that long list of happy headlines …
Mike Prater
Spencer Danielson, who’s never been a head coach, suddenly looks like a head coach after four games. Wins Mountain West title. Crushes the offseason.
Star running back Ashton Jeanty turns down hundreds of thousands of dollars in NIL money to stay at Boise State for a modest package: Place to live, car, watch, cash. Peace of mind.
Boise State recruits five-star USC quarterback Malachi Nelson from the transfer portal.
Boise State recruits offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter from retirement.
Boise State launches campaign to upgrade Albertsons Stadium with a $65 million north end zone project.
Boise State lands nonconference game at Notre Dame – on the schedule in 14 months.
Boise State, taking advantage of the unprecedented offseason momentum, nears its goal of selling 20,000 season tickets for the first time since 2015.
It’s been a wild ride, so much fun.
Then, this week, the biggest news of all hits, a massive decision that will shape the future of Boise State athletics from now through the spring of 2029: University president Marlene Tromp and athletic director Jeramiah Dickey, part of the Houston AD job search, have agreed to a new five-year contract.
The process was slow, frustrating.
Negotiations were complicated, tricky.
The details and fine print are still emerging.
Bottom line: It’s done, and the Tuesday news dump, during an off day for the football team, is one of the most important in Boise State athletics history.
No offense to Danielson, Jeanty, Nelson, Koetter – they can leave and Boise State will plow ahead in a new era of college football.
Losing Dickey – mostly his $20-million-dollar-a-year-fundraising skills and his powerful vision to be elite – would have left Boise State athletics stuck in the mud.
Now comes the reality. Putting it all together. Making it happen. Closing the deal. Whatever cliche you want to use. A beautiful, inspiring offseason is about to be consumed by an intense, important, grinding season of real football.
The pesky Georgia Southern opener is looming.
The Oregon game is a difference-maker.
The 12-game schedule is one of the most difficult in school history.
The home schedule is one of the most exciting in school history.
There are expectations for brilliant quarterback play.
There are expectations for Jeanty to be a workhorse, stay healthy, reap the benefits of national headlines and postseason awards, play in the NFL.
There are expectations for Koetter’s offense to score 40 points a game.
The Broncos are expected to crush the Mountain West.
There are expectations to play in the first CFP tournament.
All the glory is in play – after a glorious offseason of joy.
The work has been done.
The roster is complete, it’s loaded and it’s healthy. Dickey has his new contract and more than enough momentum to carry on with his mission of being elite.
The offseason has never been more kind to Boise State football.
The pressure to complete the deal has never been greater.
PETE’S QB THOUGHTS ON MADSEN & NELSON
Chris Petersen made strong, interesting comments about the Broncos’ QB situation during his Tuesday interview on KTIK.
The former Boise State coach attended fall camp Saturday and Sunday, and watched from the sidelines as redshirt sophomore Maddux Madsen and Nelson, the redshirt freshman from USC, worked their practice magic.
Petersen on Madsen, taking most of the No. 1 reps so far in camp: “I like him a lot, that guy’s got something to him. He’s got some charisma. The ball comes out of his hand nice. He looks like he’s got a real command of that offense. He’s been around longer, so he should.’’
Petersen on Nelson: “Obviously a lot of talent. The ball comes out of his hand really nice and Dirk Koetter will continue to develop him as the season goes on.’’
I took that as a thumbs up for Madsen. For now.
Petersen also addressed a concern that Madsen might be too short at 5-feet-10 to be a successful QB.
“The height of a quarterback, you know me. That ain’t bothering me in the slightest,’’ Petersen said. “We had a guy that wasn’t too tall back there in the day who completed quite a few passes and a lot of touchdowns named Kellen Moore (6-0). We’re not batting an eye on height, don’t even go there with me.’’
I also took that as a thumbs up for Madsen. For now.
Before the interview ended, Petersen, as he usually does, left us with a smart dose of reality.
“You hope you have one quarterback, but in this day and age, you’re probably going to need two,’’ he said. “They’re going to need both those guys.’’
Stay tuned …
Mike Prater is the Bronco Nation News columnist who co-hosts Idaho Sports Talk (KTIK 95.3 FM on Monday-Friday from 3-6 p.m.) and the Boise State football postgame show (KBOI 670 AM). He is on Twitter @MikeFPrater and can be reached at mikefprater@gmail.com
