In the post-game presser, Bryan Harsin was asked to describe his feelings after losing his first home game as a Head Coach at Boise State. I watched the Idaho Statesman’s video coverage (11:02 into the Harsin presser) and it gave me some things to think about.

Harsin didn’t know it but fans were in pain having just watched the Broncos be a part of the biggest upset of the year in FBS college football and wanted to know if he felt like they did.

Harsin paused, gave a look that said here come the unrealistic expectations stuff and went on to say he was disappointed for the team, fans and coaches. He kept his composure and said he looks forward to going to work the next day. And, that the team has a lot to play for this season. He added that “everybody” wants to throw things out and say Boise State is playing for next season. It isn’t how he looks at it. He added that since he and the team looked forward to improving on the New Mexico performance they “think completely different than everybody else.” Yes, they do. THANK GOD. He wants to go 9-3, maybe a MWC title and win a bowl game! Imagine that.

Coaches are not fans and most have the discipline to not throw in the towel and waste energy on how it feels to lose at home to a mediocre team and turn being a 30 point favorite into a 7 point loser.  They gain nothing. They must put their collective heads into the sand. They focus the energy and time they do have on improvement. They know a 9-3 season is pretty darn good compared to others.

But, fans are not coaches. I don’t think fans want to be coached after losses. Fans want to feel so upset they can’t talk. Or they want to rip into the media. Or, throw a temper tantrum about refs or tipped balls for interceptions. They don’t want to hear that every team gives its best shot at Boise State. Or all of the above.

In almost the last three years, Boise State has lost 10 times. In seven seasons, from 2006-2012, they only lost 8 times. We are getting more practice at dealing with defeats.

What is different is losing to Utah State in blow out fashion and at home in the biggest upset of the year in all of college football. These are new lessons. Coach Harsin offered the best advice to fans when he said anybody can be beat on any given day. We should all respect our opponents more, dissect their best work not worst and show up for a battle.

That’s a piece of coaching fans should take to heart.

@jeffcaves