James Willis ... UL Defensive Coordinator

[cjr3888]

---Do you think that the 2 kids de-committing and going to Memphis had anything to do with his leaving???

Could have or couldn't. Seems like those two were a package deal no matter what school they chose. Know we went hard at some locals who didn't change their early commitments. Plus, there are some that are hoping to play for the Cajuns but don't qualify yet. Next ACT date is Saturday so look for those players to hopefully qualify once those scores come in. Can't afford a membership it CajunRedZone and those guys probably know who I'm talking about.

One thing I've noticed this year is plenty of schools who haven't signed a full class of 25. Plenty of prospects out there on the fence academically who haven't signed with a JUCO in hopes of qualifying for a D1 offer.

[NewsCopy]

Current Cajun players were to have first been told of the departure after a Wednesday night fanfest to celebrate the signing class, but news of the resignation quickly spread before the event got under way.

Advertiser
subscription

[Just1More]

Biggest part of this............

Hud gave Willis a chance to get back on track in his coaching career and Willis repaid Hud by waiting until after National Signing Day to let this news out.

We all knew that Willis is a big time defensive coach and wouldn't be here long. Even though our assistants are the highest paid in the Sun Belt, Willis will probably get a raise to be a position coach at FSU.

Most of us know, but for those that don't, coaching a recruiting always comes down to relationships. In the future, if Willis recruits a kid and doesn't have a scholarship available at a school like FSU, the first place he will mention to that player is UL! His experience while on campus, even though it was short, will help UL in the future.

If he had any hard feelings towards Hud and UL, this news would have come out a few weeks ago and hurt us in recruiting.

I agree with you that Hud and Willis must have had a decent relationship for Willis to keep this under wraps until the end of signing day. But, if "we all knew" (including Hud) that we were one and done with Willis, we'd have passed on him. Willis did not re-establish himself at UL, and we didn't improve defensively under his coordination. His pedigree got him the interview/offer at FSU. He's probably better off as a LB coach at an established program than being a DC at UL (financially and assignment-wise).

Personally, I'd like to see Hud find a guy that has a similar resume to Hud (young, energetic, trying to build a career, built his existing career within 300 miles of Lafayette, and has the ability to use mid major talent intelligently). I'm not a fan of guys that spent most of their careers in programs that have had the pick of the litter and think their actual coaching skills had something to do with the success of those programs.

It would be seriously wise, IMO, to find someone with existing ties to Louisiana recruiting. There is no reason we cannot locate, recruit, teach and retain great defensive talent in this state, or in the immediate areas adjoining this state.

[CRAWFISH61]

Willis will make 450k at FSU. He made 150K at UL. Our defense was better statistically under Willis than Stewart but still not good enough. Hopefully the next DC can make even more improvement.

[moorecajun]

I agree with you that Hud and Willis must have had a decent relationship for Willis to keep this under wraps until the end of signing day. But, if "we all knew" (including Hud) that we were one and done with Willis, we'd have passed on him. Willis did not re-establish himself at UL, and we didn't improve defensively under his coordination. His pedigree got him the interview/offer at FSU. He's probably better off as a LB coach at an established program than being a DC at UL (financially and assignment-wise).

Personally, I'd like to see Hud find a guy that has a similar resume to Hud (young, energetic, trying to build a career, built his existing career within 300 miles of Lafayette, and has the ability to use mid major talent intelligently). I'm not a fan of guys that spent most of their careers in programs that have had the pick of the litter and think their actual coaching skills had something to do with the success of those programs.

It would be seriously wise, IMO, to find someone with existing ties to Louisiana recruiting. There is no reason we cannot locate, recruit, teach and retain great defensive talent in this state, or in the immediate areas adjoining this state.

Are you one of the wise men?

[CajunAlum10]

I agree with you that Hud and Willis must have had a decent relationship for Willis to keep this under wraps until the end of signing day. But, if "we all knew" (including Hud) that we were one and done with Willis, we'd have passed on him. Willis did not re-establish himself at UL, and we didn't improve defensively under his coordination. His pedigree got him the interview/offer at FSU. He's probably better off as a LB coach at an established program than being a DC at UL (financially and assignment-wise).

Personally, I'd like to see Hud find a guy that has a similar resume to Hud (young, energetic, trying to build a career, built his existing career within 300 miles of Lafayette, and has the ability to use mid major talent intelligently). I'm not a fan of guys that spent most of their careers in programs that have had the pick of the litter and think their actual coaching skills had something to do with the success of those programs.

It would be seriously wise, IMO, to find someone with existing ties to Louisiana recruiting. There is no reason we cannot locate, recruit, teach and retain great defensive talent in this state, or in the immediate areas adjoining this state.

This post is so right on point that I don't even know what to do with myself. I might go buy a thong and get Just1More screen printed on the back of it just for you.

[BlueDawg]

His timing was good. ; ) did he bring in any recruits?

[cajunfan337]

Wade Phillips is looking for a job...

[CajunRebel]

I went through some serious groaning pains last year with the "8 guys lost in space" defense. There is no defense, regardless of complexity, that won't instantly improve on that "scheme". Hopefully, whatever player personnel issue that led to the use of that "scheme" will or has been addressed. But, we will be radically better next year, defensively, just by playing assignment football and obliterating the false belief that 8 people occupying space downfield in random circling patterns is acceptable because it supposedly prevents "the big play".

Oddly, we lined up tight on Tulane, pass rushed, pressured, and played assignment football the majority of that game. It was a good decision. And even the two big pass plays (hail marys) that we goofed up, we had the QB on the run, and we had guys all over the receivers. They just had small timing issues with how to read the WR for signs that the pill's arriving.

It's amazing what armchair DC fans see compared to what actual coaches see. I was one of many here who believed Willis' defensive schemes and strategies were terrible last year. I was one of many who hoped Hud would be looking for another DC this offseason. You can imagine my surprise to see the news that he was poached by an elite football program. Shows how little we all know sometimes.

[CrazyCajun]

I was also surprised to see he took us from 8th to 3rd ranked defense in the league in year 1