Softball rebuilding? Maybe so...

[MetryCajun]

According to press realease, Loteif wants to spend time with family.

According to his family on this site, it was over $$.

I know nothing about the softball program, but I know about human nature. It is always about the $$$.

[basinbear]

Is Farmer still on the NCAA softball selection committee? Wasn't he chairman last year? This will look good in front of all those people

It was all over the softball USA website last night....

[Cajun Monkee]

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.

[Frenchie35]

It has to be $$....it can't be wanting to be with family. Being a volunteer assistant, won't he be with the team as much as being the head coach? Or will he say during the season, "I don't think I will travel with the team today, I have to be with the familY"

[JMV JustMyView]

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!

[Just1More]

It has to be $$....it can't be wanting to be with family. Being a volunteer assistant, won't he be with the team as much as being the head coach? Or will he say during the season, "I don't think I will travel with the team today, I have to be with the familY"

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.

[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.