Christophel, Pry, Crist, and Sims let go by Bustle

[CajunDreDog]

http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/4...?showAll=y&c=y

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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.

[RaginCajun918]

Why is everybody so hard on Jay?

[RCAJUN90]

Along those lines, what about the ex-North Texas coach, Darrell Dickey? I think I remember someone saying he and Bustle were friends. His defenses at UNT were usually pretty good. Maybe he'd consider being DC here. Who knows...

As the son of a former coach, I understand the fleeting nature of "job security" in this business. That is why so many jump so often to improve their situation. That is also why there is such a strong fraternal bond among coaches. They know they may someday have to ask each other for a new job.

How about Dickey as DC and Scelfo as OC? Perhaps offer them long term contracts tied to production on the field?

[CajunNation]

Why is everybody so hard on Jay?

He rubs A LOT of people the wrong way.


I never thought it was a good idea to have your "play by play" man be the public defender of the athletic administration, which by hosting that show, in effect, he is.

[cajundad70]

http://tulanegreenwave.cstv.com/spor...o_chris00.html

I agree Rhineaux that he would be a great catch but he is probably looking for another head coach job. Also, I think he would be great for recruiting. Check out the above link... Geaux Cajuns.......

[kracka75LSU]

Why is everybody so hard on Jay?

Everyone has to have someone to vent upon.

So, I am imagining from the talk in here that you guys are hoping Scelfo would maybe come be the OC for UL. That would be a big catch for you guys. He's put 2 qb's in the NFL. But I would imagine that money would keep him from comming here. Or maybe he would consider the move a step down even though he is unemployed. I don't know. Just hope that this big change doesn't set you all back a year. Just remember big changes like that, although welcome by the fans, are not always the best moves. Especially it happened after only one year of letdowns. I know for one, that if we lose Jimbo and or Pelini, it would possibly hurt us from getting big commitments *cough* joe mcknight *cough*, and have our players trying to learn new schemes. Good luck with all that. We may be doing the same in Tigerland.

[Turbine]

I am imagining from the talk in here that you guys are hoping Scelfo would maybe come be the OC for UL. That would be a big catch for you guys. He's put 2 qb's in the NFL.

Now that what’s done is done

I am hoping Bustle will take over as Offensive Coordinator and then combine both paychecks into hiring a top notch Defensive Coordinator.

I mean after all, coach Bustle has put at least 4 quarterbacks in the NFL.

[CajunProud]

Hey, maybe we can ask the AD who will replace the fired coaches. Oh wait a minute........ that's right, we don't have an AD My bad.

You know, I heard a rumor that Larry Coker was going to be our new D-coordinagtor and Mike Shula was going to be our new O-coordinator and quarterback coach.

[rhineaux]

Hey, maybe we can ask the AD who will replace the fired coaches. Oh wait a minute........ that's right, we don't have an AD My bad.

You know, I heard a rumor that Larry Coker was going to be our new D-coordinagtor and Mike Shula was going to be our new O-coordinator and quarterback coach.

Did RCajun90 tell you that?

[CajunProud]

Did RCajun90 tell you that?

I don't even know him, but that is very funny.

Just thought I would get some lively discussion going.

[rhineaux]

I don't even know him, but that is very funny.

Just thought I would get some lively discussion going.

He was complaining a while back that either bustle, the oc, the dc, or maybe all, i don't remember. I told him that unless he could come up with a viable candidate to replace him, then he should leave the topic alone and get over it. coker and Shula were two of his candidates and he named a bunch of other people like John L. Smith and such that were just totally out of our league.

[CajunProud]

He was complaining a while back that either bustle, the oc, the dc, or maybe all, i don't remember. I told him that unless he could come up with a viable candidate to replace him, then he should leave the topic alone and get over it. coker and Shula were two of his candidates and he named a bunch of other people like John L. Smith and such that were just totally out of our league.

Sorry, I must have missed those posts.

I'm always a day late and a dollar short.