What Makes a Winning Program? Part I

[Just1More]

_ CN, you might want to think about that.

The US Olympic basketball team had the best athletic and coaching talent in the world.

Got a butt-hat with all that athletic and coaching talent... _

Yes. Yes. I see a lot of parallels in our football program and the US Olympic basketball team. Very good comparison to stomp on such a ridiculous notion... talented athletes and coaches... they are substantially overrated. Our football team is just a bunch of millionaire superstars that have simply had too much success to compete on the field... I mean... they... I mean... oh well... your argument sucks... but thanks for playing.

[DestinCajun]

_ Yes. Yes. I see a lot of parallels in our football program and the US Olympic basketball team. Very good comparison to stomp on such a ridiculous notion... talented athletes and coaches... they are substantially overrated. Our football team is just a bunch of millionaire superstars that have simply had too much success to compete on the field... I mean... they... I mean... oh well... your argument sucks... but thanks for playing. _

LMAO! Just how many times has the US Olympic basketball team lost?

Come'on guys we all know the foundation of a successful athletic program is adequate funding and we are far,far from it based upon a comparison of the budgets of the programs we compete against.

Does proper funding guaranty success? Heck no, but without it we are guaranteed to have what we have now and who is happy with that?

We can all be part of the solution or part of the problem.

[CajunFun]

oh well... your argument sucks...

That's the great thing about conversations with college graduates: the points are always incisive, salient, and reflect the open mindedness of the well-educated.



Read the ultoday.com interview with Michael Lotief. He says they built that program with average athletes. How can we explain that?

Now, you might argue that the Lotiefs are superior coaches; I agree.

But do they know more about the mechanics of pitching, hitting and fielding than anyone else out there? Is it their knowledge of producing superior physical talent that allows them to excel? Probably not.

So what is it that they know? Read the article, and then look at the choices in the poll.

[Gbbaseball7]

Success can be measured at different levels. To me in sports success is team cohesion and winning. This begins with attitude. Coaches and players much believe themselves as winners. Never give up attitude. Work hard attitude. Togetherness attitude. If players and coaches are true winners they will give there all no matter how many people are in the stands. Take pride in how you play the game.
Now on the other hand every player and coach would love to see the stands filled everytime they step onto the field. This comes from support and with fickled fans it has become a winning thing. Too bad most do not support "Their" team in good times and in bad.
It is like a circle and everything is related to the other............
All I can say is GEAUX CAJUNS anytime, everytime, all the time!!!!!!!!!!

[Just1More]

_ That's the great thing about conversations with college graduates: the points are always incisive, salient, and reflect the open mindedness of the well-educated.



Read the ultoday.com interview with Michael Lotief. He says they built that program with average athletes. How can we explain that?

Now, you might argue that the Lotiefs are superior coaches; I agree.

But do they know more about the mechanics of pitching, hitting and fielding than anyone else out there? Is it their knowledge of producing superior physical talent that allows them to excel? Probably not.

So what is it that they know? Read the article, and then look at the choices in the poll. _

Sometimes there's cause for thorough examination of an opinion... and sometimes, you just have to let a guy know that his line of thinkng pulls a vacuum. I packaged it with a little humor and managed to stay clear of foul language.

As for the Lotiefs... I do believe they are excellent coaches and I also believe that they have recruited exceptional talent. I do also believe their program is loaded with all of the other assets that good coaches and human beings strive for on any team... character, commorodary, spunk, dare I say love for each other... I could go on and on. When you combine these group and individual characteristics with talent, guided by great leadership, you get the product we all know is our softball program.

The fundamentals that have supplied UL with a great softball program are not going to spontaneously appear for us in football. Not to in any way dimenish softball... but the program was founded during a time that those that could have made it much more difficult for us to build, were sleeping. Lafayette is a ripe college sports area, and was when UL softball first spawned, for the kind of program Yvette helped build. Steph and Michael have somewhat, miraculously, sustained our program. I think it should be credited to everyone... the admin, the fans, etc... because having something special in sports would have been more than we could bare to lose... and especially given how it looked to happen.

I am not arguing that all of the things people keep talking about are not the components of "winning". They simply are not guaranteed to UL any greater than any other program competing for the same. I do not understand how the argument persists regarding football that there are other means by which we can elevate shy of new and increased funding. It isn't the money alone... it is the perception created (a real one) that the school and others are extremely serious about making a charge. The other desirables... fans, facilities, sponsors, atmosphere, etc all start to build and build... eventually, you attract the attention of HS coaches, parents, community, local and distant recruits, that want to be a part of it. It also makes coaches that are on the cusp of recognized greatness, coupled with solid salaries for them and their staff, to be interested. All of that starts to build a foundation for the wins we are looking for. And yes... once those things start to happen (wins), if fostered properly, the organism is able to thrive on its own successes. That is how it happens in college football today.

One extreme diversion that I routinely witness posted on here is that some exception somehow has us default to its rule. An upset win here or there. A D1AA winning against a D1A. Upsets and the like are going to happen. However, you do not found your program on the possibility of being one of those annointed with a Cinderella slipper.

Why not access the differentiator in your community that truly separates you? Lafayette and Acadiana have the types of people and businesses that almost go overboard when given the opportunity to share in something local and great. UL football has never offered them the greatness. We cannot beg the community to love what we love. That is not going to get it done. Funds and a massively public funding campaign is the way to go. There will be skeptics and rock throwers... you can bet on it. But, it is the absolute first step in college football, today, for generating the long sought after success most of us demand.

I can't get everyone to follow this beat. I thought this forum would be the easiest to sell of all. It is very disturbing to me that the new private funding route is not the first thing out of everyone's mouth. It also has me less hopeful than I've ever been. We can argue about the details until the cows come home. That seems to be the passion of this forum. Not solving the problem... but having a place to continuously examine and complain about it. It saddens and sickens me. But, I will be back in my seats come kickoff... fingers crossed and praying for miracle.

[RaginFan2]

Success can be measured at different levels. To me in sports success is team cohesion and winning. This begins with attitude. Coaches and players much believe themselves as winners. Never give up attitude. Work hard attitude. Togetherness attitude. If players and coaches are true winners they will give there all no matter how many people are in the stands. Take pride in how you play the game.
Now on the other hand every player and coach would love to see the stands filled everytime they step onto the field. This comes from support and with fickled fans it has become a winning thing. Too bad most do not support "Their" team in good times and in bad.
It is like a circle and everything is related to the other............
All I can say is GEAUX CAJUNS anytime, everytime, all the time!!!!!!!!!!

"Attitude reflects leadership." - Remember the Titans (I love that movie!)

I, too, come from the old school where you support your alma mater come what may. It is MY school and I'll support it no matter what. Winning sure as heck makes it a LOT easier to do, however. It also helps attract the casual fan and the curious. I can appreciate following another school because they have a quality program, but I just can't see abandoning your school just because the aren't a "winner". If we don't support and help build OUR school, who will? Certainly not the LSU, McNeese, LA Tech, etc. fans. Nor should they. WE should. I know it has been a major source of frustration about how we continually botch many of our overall athletic program decisions (with a few exceptions) - I know, it's been 35 years for me. But we have got to insist on bringing in the best we can, not just settling. It will have to include the long-talked about, long-delayed RCAF. Without it, we'll keep muddling around. We also need to have the best athletic administration we can get. I'm not sure if the present AD is THE ONE. I think Farmer is a real possibility, but the book is still open. I have some questions about the recent coaching changes. On the surface, the recent hires seem to be lacking credentials as many on here have stated. Now, these could be some of the best hires we've ever made. But it has the initial impression of in-breeding. I hope I'm wrong. But based on the track (pun intended) record over the years, it raises lots of concern. Come what may, Geaux Cajuns!!! Just my $2 worth.

[CajunFun]

"Attitude reflects leadership." - Remember the Titans (I love that movie!)

I, too, come from the old school where you support your alma mater come what may. It is MY school and I'll support it no matter what. Winning sure as heck makes it a LOT easier to do, however. It also helps attract the casual fan and the curious. I can appreciate following another school because they have a quality program, but I just can't see abandoning your school just because the aren't a "winner". If we don't support and help build OUR school, who will? Certainly not the LSU, McNeese, LA Tech, etc. fans. Nor should they. WE should. I know it has been a major source of frustration about how we continually botch many of our overall athletic program decisions (with a few exceptions) - I know, it's been 35 years for me. But we have got to insist on bringing in the best we can, not just settling. It will have to include the long-talked about, long-delayed RCAF. Without it, we'll keep muddling around. We also need to have the best athletic administration we can get. I'm not sure if the present AD is THE ONE. I think Farmer is a real possibility, but the book is still open. I have some questions about the recent coaching changes. On the surface, the recent hires seem to be lacking credentials as many on here have stated. Now, these could be some of the best hires we've ever made. But it has the initial impression of in-breeding. I hope I'm wrong. But based on the track (pun intended) record over the years, it raises lots of concern. Come what may, Geaux Cajuns!!! Just my $2 worth.

This has started a great conversation.

What if I took the position that winning IS team effort, cohesiveness and morale?

That if, as I contend, that sports support the U, and the U supports the democracy-- then shouldn't sports therefore support the democracy? Shouldn't it produce citizens?

In which case, we have to ask whether what we want is a championship-- which we have seen over and over, can be accomplished with ignorant, arrogant, self-absorbed thugs-- or do we want team effort, cohesiveness and morale?

Interesting twist.

[NOCajun]

Bottom line: The attendance numbers and all the other extraneous stuff is psychological and has no other effect on performance on the field. THAT is solely up to the players and the coaches.

[CajunNation]

This has started a great conversation.

What if I took the position that winning IS team effort, cohesiveness and morale?

That if, as I contend, that sports support the U, and the U supports the democracy-- then shouldn't sports therefore support the democracy? Shouldn't it produce citizens?

In which case, we have to ask whether what we want is a championship-- which we have seen over and over, can be accomplished with ignorant, arrogant, self-absorbed thugs-- or do we want team effort, cohesiveness and morale?

Interesting twist.

So, can I assume that you were leading the charge to not sign Southall in the first place, and to then not let him come back in the second place?

Just trying to put your words into layman's terms......

[Crowley Cajun]

I voted for #1. Do you want improvements? Do you want to give the team a better chance to succeed? Do you want to see their morale improve? Then give to athletics and get to the game. Give donations and drive ticket sales up. $ brings improvements and improvements mean better athletes. You want a better coach? It costs $. If we give it 110%, then we've done our part. Then and only then can you hold the administration accountable.

[DestinCajun]

So, can I assume that you were leading the charge to not sign Southall in the first place, and to then not let him come back in the second place?

Just trying to put your words into layman's terms......

"we have to ask whether what we want is a championship-- which we have seen over and over, can be accomplished with ignorant, arrogant, self-absorbed thugs--"

Who's he talking about? Padraig Harrington won the British British Open today (second straight year). He is a modest gentleman, a great golfer and a champion.

[MissingMandy]

_ Bottom line: The attendance numbers and all the other extraneous stuff is psychological and has no other effect on performance on the field. THAT is solely up to the players and the coaches. _

I think attendance and all of the psychological stuff as ALOT to do with performance on the field. The goals set out earlier for the team was to put out of their minds all the negative stuff said about them and their coaching staff. To concentrate on going forward. If people don't think the players don't know what is said about them then they are sorely mistaken. A crowd in a stadium drives the momentum of a football game in so many ways. I am very excited about this team. Excited about the hard work they have all put forward all summer and their incredible excitement and drive to please the fans. This is a different team.