University of Louisiana is 'bustling' (with USAToday poll)

[NewsCopy]

Rickey Bustle always claimed he knew what he was getting into when he left a Virginia Tech program that perennially challenged for a national championship. He believed he could turn things around at University of Louisiana, a school in the heart of football-rich Acadiana. Louisiana Là not only hadn't had a winning season in six years, it had a total of nine wins in the previous five seasons. Four years later, Bustle is not only coming off a 6-5 finish in which his Ragin' Cajuns won their last five to tie for the Sun Belt Conference title, but UL is the preseason pick to win the league in 2006. "We're excited about that. We appreciate the confidence and respect that's been given toward our program," Bustle says. It wasn't easy getting to this point. When Bustle took over in 2002, it was his first head coaching job. Not only was the cupboard bare, but the once-proud program that produced such NFL players as Brian Mitchell, Jake Delhomme and Brandon Stokley, badly needed an injection of enthusiasm. "Attitudes needed to be changed, from players to coaches to fans and even administratively," Bustle recalls. Average attendance had dropped below 7,000. Found under, Top Stories Lee Feinswog Special for USA TODAY

[USLJim]

Well, this should put Bustle on a watch list of other Universities. With success comes more success. WHY and I doing this.


GEAUX Cajuns beat lsu-a&m-br

[UL_Cajuns]

If Bustle and the Cajuns go to the New Orleans bowl and win the bowl, I believe other colleges will certainly be taking a hard look at him, and he will be hard to keep here.

[Cajun Power]

If Bustle and the Cajuns go to the New Orleans bowl and win the bowl, I believe other colleges will certainly be taking a hard look at him, and he will be hard to keep here.

I got the impression that he was here to build a winner, and not as a stepping stone.

Hopefully he will stay. He's got the program on the right track.

Still, he actually has to win first.

[DestinCajun]

Why can't USAToday use a piece by Dan McDonald who has far more knowledge about the Cajuns program (and talent) than this guy?

Yes, I am particular.

[RonMexico]

Why can't USAToday use a piece by Dan McDonald who has far more knowledge about the Cajuns program (and talent) than this guy?

Yes, I am particular.

Because the lsu guys know everything about everything. Didnt you know that?

ask em, they'll tell you.

L'Ronte'

[HoustonCajun]

If Bustle and the Cajuns go to the New Orleans bowl and win the bowl, I believe other colleges will certainly be taking a hard look at him, and he will be hard to keep here.

That could very well be. On the other hand, look at Southern Miss or Fresno State, for example, who have done very well with respected programs and no one has raided their coaches. Bustle could well build a dynasty of sorts here, much like was done at Virginia Tech (and no one has hired away their coach either as he built the program). Some good things are starting to happen at UL and Bustle just might not want to leave.

[Clutch0364]

That could very well be. On the other hand, look at Southern Miss or Fresno State, for example, who have done very well with respected programs and no one has raided their coaches. Bustle could well build a dynasty of sorts here, much like was done at Virginia Tech (and no one has hired away their coach either as he built the program). Some good things are starting to happen at UL and Bustle just might not want to leave.

Fresno States coach is on NFL minds everytime a spot opens up. He was part of Belichecks (Spelling?) staff in Cleveland. He says he likes it where he is but its not like they have not tried. Southern Miss I have no clue if anyone has gone after him, if so it would have been a few years ago when Southern Miss. was more of a power than they have been the last 2 or 3 years.

[MiamiCajun32]

Fresno States coach is on NFL minds everytime a spot opens up. He was part of Belichecks (Spelling?) staff in Cleveland. He says he likes it where he is but its not like they have not tried. Southern Miss I have no clue if anyone has gone after him, if so it would have been a few years ago when Southern Miss. was more of a power than they have been the last 2 or 3 years.

I believe that Fresno St. and Southern Miss pay to keep their top coaches, even if they can't quite match what the big boys would pay. UL needs to figure out a way to offer Bustle bigger contract if Cajuns go bowling this year. Even the most honorable and committed coach to any program is going to have to consider practicalities of making several times higher salary elsewhere. If top programs pay 1 to 3 mil, then Cajuns should figure out a way to pay at least 500-700k for a football coach IF that coach wins championships, goes bowling, and team is putting 20k+ in stands consistently. Bustle just may be that coach.

[Clutch0364]

I believe that Fresno St. and Southern Miss pay to keep their top coaches, even if they can't quite match what the big boys would pay. UL needs to figure out a way to offer Bustle bigger contract if Cajuns go bowling this year. Even the most honorable and committed coach to any program is going to have to consider practicalities of making several times higher salary elsewhere. If top programs pay 1 to 3 mil, then Cajuns should figure out a way to pay at least 500-700k for a football coach IF that coach wins championships, goes bowling, and team is putting 20k+ in stands consistently. Bustle just may be that coach.

I read on the La Tech board a while back that Pat Hill gets around 900k a year, the second highest in the WAC was June Jones with Hawaii with around 800k, and first time head coach Peterson (sp?) makes around 500k

[TheRaginCajun06]

Money has been known to talk!

I think Bustle will enjoy living in Lafayette and being able to tell the story of how he built a winning program.

However, if Bustle does get offered a big time contract... you can't blame him if he leaves. We just have to hope that Bustle leaves UL as a winner and the next coach can keep the program a winner. Money will start to generate and we can pay coaches more. Hopefully Bustle can stick it out and we can pay him what he wants.

Does anyone know Bustles salary? I read on a search that it's 400k and that he is the highest paid coach in the Sunbelt. If so, he is getting more than I originally thought.

[shof]

I read on the La Tech board a while back that Pat Hill gets around 900k a year, the second highest in the WAC was June Jones with Hawaii with around 800k, and first time head coach Peterson (sp?) makes around 500k

Not sure what the cost of living is in the Fresno area; but if its like a lot of Cal; then that amount (and what Jones makes at Hawaii) makes sense. I'd bet that the standard of living in Cal or Hawaii at 800-900K is comparable to what 600-700K would get you in Lafayette. Still; that would mean we need to bump up some to get to that level if that's what it takes to keep quality people running our programs.