Softball rebuilding? Maybe so...

[SlappyCajun]

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

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

I think it's important to note that it was $ for assistants not himself. Although incredibly, Robe is the highest paid baseball coach in the SBC and according to posts on this site Lotief is not in the top 3 for softball despite unparalleled success.

[cajun4life]

I think it's important to note that it was $ for assistants not himself. Although incredibly, Robe is the highest paid baseball coach in the SBC and according to posts on this site Lotief is not in the top 3 for softball despite unparalleled success.

There is a big difference, Mike does not need the money. IMO The money that should be afforded to a coach of his caliber should be diverted to his assistants.

[CajunRed]

Need or not. It's embarrassing that our head coach...the person leading the only national level program we have...is paid less than some assistants at other SBC programs. That's just shameful.

[NewsCopy]

There is a big difference, Mike does not need the money. IMO The money that should be afforded to a coach of his caliber should be diverted to his assistants.

With all due respect "need" is a personal decision and should be off-limits for an employer to use as leverage when trying to devalue the employee's real value.

jmo

[Zeebart21]

I think it's important to note that it was $ for assistants not himself. Although incredibly, Robe is the highest paid baseball coach in the SBC and according to posts on this site Lotief is not in the top 3 for softball despite unparalleled success.

Morning, Slappy!

Z

[SlappyCajun]

Morning, Slappy!

Z

Z!!!

[cajun4life]

With all due respect "need" is a personal decision and should be off-limits for an employer to use as leverage when trying to devalue the employee's real value.

jmo

That is true, but I think you missed my point. Mike should have demanded from the beginning that the salary that he should be receiving be diverted towards assistants. Much Like Charlie Lancon had done while he was the track coach here.

[don63]

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

[Cajun90]

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

His run ended last year.

[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.