Softball rebuilding? Maybe so...

[Just1More]

Is this the possible scenario?

Stef was the program administrator and Mike coached.

Stef retired. Mike thought he could do both, but coaching is what makes him burn. And the admin part killed him.

Mike goes to Farmer and says "make/pay Granger as the head coach. She'll administer, I'll coach."

Farmer says no. That worked with you and Stef, I don't know if it will work with you and a 24 yo, ex-player.

Probably something close to this. This didn't just happen yesterday. This has been brewing. And again, Mike is a lawyer, doesn't "need" the job, and a man coaching young impressionable women. In his mind, he doesn't take jack off of anyone. If he was stressing... probably not unlike most mid major softball programs are forced to manage every day... you take his dominating mentality, his not needing the job for the money, it was ripe for a clash.

I'll throw Farmer under the bus when I know of his misgivings. I'm just not sure this was his doing. It was going to happen sooner or later IMO given the circumstances.

We need to just go and find a suitable replacement ASAP.

Personally, this is a dinky UL earthquake and just because the chandelier was shaking all day yesterday... I see minimal permanent damage. Spring drama. Next!

[HOUCajun]

It is not about his pay, he doesnt need the money, it is about Mike fighting for his staffs pay...Mike didn't give up on this team, just on the administration!

I'm guessing you are probably right? But why get on the radio and lie (harsh work I know) about why saying it is for family reasons. Wouldn't it be better to just say nothing? There seem to be 3 or 4 of you that are fighting his battle here which if totally fine. One of you should have told him to not do the radio interview.

[RedBug58]

Probably something close to this. This didn't just happen yesterday. This has been brewing. And again, Mike is a lawyer, doesn't "need" the job, and a man coaching young impressionable women. In his mind, he doesn't take jack off of anyone. If he was stressing... probably not unlike most mid major softball programs are forced to manage every day... you take his dominating mentality, his not needing the job for the money, it was ripe for a clash.

I'll throw Farmer under the bus when I know of his misgivings. I'm just not sure this was his doing. It was going to happen sooner or later IMO given the circumstances.

We need to just go and find a suitable replacement ASAP.

Personally, this is a dinky UL earthquake and just because the chandelier was shaking all day yesterday... I see minimal permanent damage. Spring drama. Next!

Let's go out and have a great season and support the team like never before....then...
I think we now need to start looking for a new head coach, who has been an assistant at a big time progam for quite a few years, who has strong ties to UL, and grew up in Crowley. I know this is a lot of demands and someone like this may not even exist; but then again "maybe"??

[shof]

It'll be Booker's Bourbon tonight.

Hope you didn't have too much of that stuff! Ive had some really bad morning afters with Bookers!

[chauncey]

This has more to do with athletics and the RCAF and the huge disconnect with gaining support from the fans for certain sports. Ask and you shall receive but obviously no one is asking for help. I'm not a season ticket holder, but if asked to contribute 50-100 extra dollars a year to increase the budget of the most successful athletic program in the universities' history I wouldn't blink an eye.

[CajunT]

I'm guessing you are probably right? But why get on the radio and lie (harsh work I know) about why saying it is for family reasons. Wouldn't it be better to just say nothing? There seem to be 3 or 4 of you that are fighting his battle here which if totally fine. One of you should have told him to not do the radio interview.

Because he is still part of the program right now and he can not discuss the actual events that took place as part of his agreement to stay on for the rest of the season. Did anyone expect either party to come out and make any kind of substantive statement? Mike's interview on the radio yesterday as an attempt to temper the flames of an explosive situation.

[Frenchie35]

No. I think it's a combination of things. With Mike dealing with Steph not there, his kids not around the park like it used to be, the lack of help, the pile of responsibilities on his back, his coaching and lawyer instincts told him to not only explain to his boss what the problem was, he very likely explained what his solution was, and why he didn't like the lack of budgetary support from UL.

Who knows what Mike's demands were specifically. Who knows how Scott managed it. I think Mike came loaded for bear. He was likely at the end of his rope and gave ultimatums. The lawyer in him put everything on the line. He was trying to do something he felt was right for the program's future while finding a way to unburden his situation. Scott must have taken something off the table Mike demanded, and it resulted in a resignation. T-Joe just stepped in to see what he could salvage.

I guarantee you Mike didn't want to leave the team in a lurch. He just ran out of leverage without throwing down his job. The compromise to T-Joe and Mike's conscience was to stay on as a volunteer.

Being a volunteer coach is much less stressful for Mike, and will mentally help the team. But, it won't last. We will have to hire someone qualified for the head spot, and I don't see where Mike fits in after that. No former chief can remain in the picture once another chief takes over.

I'l give you my take on this. I am not as articulate as some of you people on here same to be, but here is my take. When Stef left the program it but all the pressure on Michael. Even though UL softball is consistered one of the elete teams in the nation, they are not treated as such by this administration. Coaching softball at UL requires more than coaching skills. Michael had to be more than a coach being shorthanded staff wise. Stef and Michael made a good team that could share the load. Stef left and Michael had that load on his shoulders by himself. I think he felt that the last season. So it began. Michael and this athletic department started a series of talks to get what was needed to maintaine a program in a way that all elete college teams have. The answer was, "make out with what you have". It came to a head and you have what you have today, a team without a head coach. That's right no head coach. Evett left this program for the same reason. No help. She went down the road because she could coach not having to run all over askng for volunteers to fill in. This is my take on the whole thing. Could be wrong..........


Right J1M....here is a post on another thread. In so many words we agree.

[Cajunrunner]

Because he is still part of the program right now and he can not discuss the actual events that took place as part of his agreement to stay on for the rest of the season. Did anyone expect either party to come out and make any kind of substantive statement? Mike's interview on the radio yesterday as an attempt to temper the flames of an explosive situation.

Exactly. If he gets on the radio and tries to be the honorable truth-bearer and tells everyone he can't get raises for his assistants despite running a Top 15 program, then the administration would likely pull the invite to stay on as a volunteer. That would end up bad for the girls on the team.

[tank]

GEAUX LADY CAJUNS !!!!

[HOUCajun]

Because he is still part of the program right now and he can not discuss the actual events that took place as part of his agreement to stay on for the rest of the season. Did anyone expect either party to come out and make any kind of substantive statement? Mike's interview on the radio yesterday as an attempt to temper the flames of an explosive situation.

That's fine. Then his confidants? shouldn't be over here contradicting everything he said

[CajunT]

That's fine. Then his confidants? shouldn't be over here contradicting everything he said

His confidents have been doing so, but unless someone is willing to go on the record publicly then nothing specific will be said. Making accusations without someone willing to discuss this matter on record will not get to the truth of the matter. Much like writting a blog based upon information given to someone in order to keep a relationship with the administration.

[Turbine]

That's fine. Then his confidants? shouldn't be over here contradicting everything he said

I don't think it is an either or situation.

Main point #1 hit by Mike, main point #2 hit by confidants.

[ATXCajun]

Don't see it for $60,000.

Are you serious, T? That's what the softball HC makes?

[CajunAmos]

Are you serious, T? That's what the softball HC makes?

Want to gasp a little more. When he and Steff were co-head coaches they split the $60K.

[rpvldv]

I posted this on another thread but I don't know who reads what. I would be willing to donate 5k to 10k to the softball program if Mike can use the money any way he wants.