Bowl or Bust?

[zephyr]

_ Baldwin had two very good recruiters on his staff named Bartel and Tyke Tolbert. Most of the best athletes from Balwins early years were recruited by these two including Stamps, Tillman,Batiste, Sean Jones,Dugas, Coleman and Van Cleve. Ike Taylor was a walk-on.

Baldwin had no selective admissions and he recruited like it. His philosophy was simple, he didn't care if the recruit had character and was a good student athlete. He really believed that his back ground as a minister could help him change kids from the inner city and change the work habits of poor student athletes. As one of the few people that bought into his philosophy, he was wrong on both counts.

When Baldwin left the program, we had over a 30% attrition rate of athletes. It was not unusual for him to sign 10 to 12 props a year. Not unlike what McNeese State has done over the past few years. Baldwin couldn't build this program, because he couldn't keep his recruits qualified more then one or two years at a time. Not to mention his coaching decisions on the field.

Bustle faced a up hill climb when he took over the worst Div.1 football program in the country. His first recruiting class had few impact athletes because he had to beg kids to come to Lafayette and play. The lack of a winning tradition killed this programs recruiting as did losing Bartel and eventually the coach that replaced him Jennings. No assistants wanted to come here and coach for less money then a high school head coach. Let's not mention the lack of funding and quality facilities. If Bustle is gone after this season, then people better be ready to invest a whole lot more money instead of the lip service I read on this board. If not, then we don't deserve Division I football. _

I agree completely. If Bustle is gone after next season, there may be a small spike in enthusiasm through the community to see what the next administration brings but we had all be ready to do our part in supporting the program and putting our money where our mouths are. As fans, we are not entitled to anything. We need to do our part in showing the players and coaches that we support them and help generate that winning attitude.

[DestinCajun]

I don't think you can replace Baldwin with Bustle in any paragraph that I wrote. Bustle has recruited character kids and is graduating a large number of his athletes. He is not recruiting 10 to 12 props a year and he has gone out to help raise funds for this program. As for funding and support, if you call being the second worst funded football program in Division I more support, then yes he has had more support. My point was that regardless of what happens at the end of this season, you, I and everyone else had better be ready to pay more money to get better results. And let me add that the new administration had better be willing to open its' pocket books as well.

The main fact is we should never have hired Baldwin. He was not the guy for the job. End of story.

Having said that, he brought some fine kids/players in, I count Tillman, Hodges, Raush, Coleman, BMOC and many others among them. Bless 'em for their efforts.

[snote]

Really guys aren't we tired of losing.

as my 6 year old used to look me in the face and say.. "duh"

[snote]

Time to be realistic here.

mais huh? had a coach the first spring after the first couple of days with "the team assembled then".. jokingly asked me.. if they were any radio slots open.. glad you catching on

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They are already gone.

Either way, I'm very confident that people will be REALLY fired up about Cajun football at this time next season.

great words.. kudos

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do you blame debacle on debustle?

cute .. bug off

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It is the truth and a milestone in the Cajun program. The truth is in short supply on Cajun boards. People rather argue about what helmet or uniform looks the best etc... Also they like to cry about short comings in our budget etc.. although we get beaten by those with less money.

whoaa.. your best post ever?.. tough to come up with something to banter with you on this...

[snote]

I am afraid that losing to the McNeeses killed this program. A bowl appearance will generate fan interest, but were are now in a worse state than we were with Baldwin. We are more talented at just about every position with Bustle but the fan interest is lower IMO.

mcneese game a serious hit.. though can't agree with the "worse state" picture.. unless your just talking .."fans wise"..

"the program "killed", as it pertains to the players, the fellows who are doing the grunt work.. i would guess would take offense that they are portrayed as "stiffs/dead" ie: killed.. wins will ease that serious set back vs cowboys.. fans can be forgiving.. wins and time heals all wounds..

again.. me too.. the cowboys loss, blindsided me.. was a punch in the gut.. a setback of realization... but when was the last winning season? 1996? mcneese may have been the funeral.. though long time ago was the bullet to the head..

[snote]

jmo

all my words in this thread are just mine too.. i am a seriuos believer in that if there is something i don't understand.. it usually is because i don't know all of the facts.. please keep this in mind reading my posts in here.. i don't know much (everything) at all .. just typing with the grit of how i feel

[snote]

OK Sherlock, why don't YOU tell us something we don't already KNOW then!??

who don't know that's you in the white cap?