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UL's Bustle fires four assistant coaches
By GLENN QUEBEDEAUX
Special to The Advocate
LAFAYETTE — There will be a number of new faces on the
University of Louisiana sidelines next fall.
That’s because UL head football coach Rickey Bustle announced Monday that he has relieved four coaches of their duties, including offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Rob Christophel and defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Brent Pry.
Also informed they would not return were wide receivers coach Brian Crist and cornerbacks coach Terry Sims.
“When you make these decisions in this business, it’s always tough,” said Bustle, who met informally with reporters Monday in his office at the UL Athletic Complex. “These coaches that won’t be with us anymore are great people. They’ve represented the university in a great way and been great role models to our kids in loyalty.
“It’s a tough thing to do.”
All four coaches were informed by Bustle over the weekend. A formal news release was sent out late Monday morning.
Of the four, Christophel, Pry and Crist were all members of Bustle’s original staff from 2001. Sims replaced Clay Jennings prior to the 2005 season after
Jennings left to take a position at the
University of Houston.
Their dismissals come in the wake of a disappointing 6-6 season which ended with a shocking 39-20 loss to intra-state and Sun Belt Conference rival Louisiana-Monore.
The Cajuns, who had won their final five games and tied for the league championship in 2005, had been chosen as preseason favorites in the Sun Belt Conference in 2006.
But after beginning the season 4-2, the Cajuns lost three straight league contests and wound up winning just two of their final six games. In addition, they drew less than 11,000 fans for each their final two home games.
“Without a doubt (this is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do),” said Bustle. “I think this is the nature of the beast when you struggle somewhat. I’ve been an assistant coach, too. I think you’re always kept on your toes by the way you play, your kids play, the way the team plays. It’s just part of the beast.”
Offensively, the Cajuns finished the season ranked 82nd in the nation in total offense (317.6 yards per game) and 83rd in scoring offense (20.7 points per game). And while they finished 14th nationally in rushing offense (188.4 yards per game), they were 113th in passing efficiency (99.2 yards per game).
Defensively, they finished 58th in total defense (331.1 yards per game) and 76th in scoring defense (24.7 points per game). They were also 91st in pass efficiency defense.
Bustle, 23-35 in his five seasons at UL, said the moves came after his annual review of the program. Contrary to some school of thought, there was no pressure from school officials, he said.
“The way I did it (made the decision) was I looked to see where we are right now and where I felt like we ought to be.,” said Bustle, who will retain five of his current coaches. “I think the consistency of our play … we just ought to be doing some things better.”
The changes, he hopes, will enable the Cajuns to reach that consistency.
“I feel like making some of these moves will kind of give us a shot in the arm, give us new blood, new ideas and new philosophies,,” he said. “The basic philosophies aren’t going to change as far as what I believe in. (But) after five years, I think we ought to be a more consistent football team.”
Bustle, who met with and received approval from Athletic Director David Walker for making the positions more attractive to potential coaches, said the search for replacements has already begun and interest is high.
“Every time I pick up the phone, I have eight missed calls,” he said.
Still, Bustle said he is in no rush to fill the slots. Recruiting, which is nearing a fever pitch, will not be disrupted, he claimed.
Re: Christophel, Pry, Crist, and Sims let go by Bustle
Originally Posted by RCAJUN90
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Re: Christophel, Pry, Crist, and Sims let go by Bustle
