Opening spring, Western Michigan’s focus turned to the future, tuning out past success
The reigning MAC champions aren't resting on their laurels, and have turned the focus to greater successes in 2026.
Kalamazoo — The reigning MAC football champions have moved on.
It’s not that Western Michigan has forgotten or isn’t enjoying the fruits of its 2025 successes, winning 10 games for the second time and the fourth MAC title in program history. It’s not that the Broncos aren’t returning a glut of starters from that team, including almost an entire starting offensive line, the receiving corps, running back room and conference offensive player of the year at quarterback. Or that Head coach Lance Taylor earned MAC coach of the year honors.
None of that has been forgotten. But none of it matters much, now, either.
“To say, you know, we're MAC champions, or defending MAC champions, or we want to run it back, those are dirty words around our program,” Taylor said. “You know, I think every year it's a new challenge. And I think that this team has embraced that. The guys who have come back in the program or the new guys who are new to the program, Last year was last year. And they understand that this year, we've got bigger goals and dreams.”
Turning the page to the 2026 season, Western Michigan is not retreating into its own success, instead pushing forward with roster continuity to not just defend a conference title, but to achieve even more as the Broncos continue to build. The possibilities — like vying for a College Football Playoff berth in a 12-team format — are ambitious.
But eyeing upward mobility is the name of the game for a WMU program that is doing anything but resting on its laurels as spring practices began on Tuesday.
