Boise State--Warp Speed To Excellence

Boise State's story of the last ten years is an interesting study. They have not yet completed the rise to power that matches their level of success at the I-AA or junior college ranks, but one feels they are on the verge. In any case, the Broncos' rise to power has been unique and quick.

Boise State's football program has been operating at warp speed since joining the Division 1-A ranks.  Just a mere 13 years ago, Boise State made the huge jump from Division 1-AA football up to 1-A, now known as the Football Bowl Subdivision.  They joined the Big West Conference in 1996, just three years later won the conference title and then followed that up with another conference championship in 2000. 

The Western Athletic Conference extended an invititation to the Broncos in 2001 and another chapter in Boise State history was about to be written.  Boise State won their first WAC Conference Championship in 2002, and quickly became the dominant team in the WAC, adding conference Championships in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008.  

Boise State ’s run of eight conference championships in their first 12 years of D1-A/FBS football stands as a testament to the consistency and quality of their football program since joining Division 1-A football.  What is truly remarkable is that it was achieved with five different head coaches.  Pokey Allen was the Broncos’ coach in 1996, but his coaching career was cut short when cancer caused his passing on December 30, 1996 .  Pokey was followed by Houston Nutt, Dirk Koetter, Dan Hawkins and current head coach Chris Petersen.  Few if any D1-A college football teams have changed coaches five times in 12 years and won eight conference championships during those changes.  National recognition has also come quickly for the Broncos.  They have finished ranked as a top 15 team in the country in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll in five of the last seven years.  

Winning is the fuel that is feeding Boise State ’s unprecedented drive to excellence.  It is a fever that has touched every aspect of the football program.  Fans, players, facilities, recruits, coaches, television coverage, and the Boise community have all caught the fever that is Boise State football.  It is a fever that has not come close to running its course, and with only five seniors on the current roster, two of which who are likely starters for the 2009 season, the Broncos are going to be moving at warp speed for the foreseeable future.  My advice for football fans everywhere is keep an eye on the Broncos over the next few years, and don’t blink, because you’ll miss something special!