Notes from Coach Robichaux interview on the Cajun Redzone Show

[Dad04]

Stony Brook and Jackson St. Yuk.......

Stoney Brook won the 2012 super regional at LSU. JSU is an RPI burglar.

[CajunRage]

You got news for me? Go ahead and spill it, I’m willing to listen! I’m not bashing Scott Farmer; I simply said that interviews with AD’s happen all the time. Joe Dean interviewed at halftime at almost every LSU basketball game while AD. I’ve seen a many of interviews done by AD’s, so let’s not go down this road in a ____ing match because the examples are numerous. As I stated, I don’t think it was necessary for him to speak because there were many comments expressed by the media in articles and on twitter. So, I actually agreed with your statement that it was not important for Scott Farmer to speak on the issue.

Now, I got some news for you. I have my own sources and speak to coaches and other employees at this university, so I don’t depend upon filtered information from the local print media or sports radio when it comes to Scott Farmer. He is not the devil that some people paint him as nor is he the patron saint that some of his defenders proclaim he is either. His hands have been tied at times by budget restraints and he has had to make unpopular decisions. There have been other times when his told coaches to go out and do things themselves because the money wasn’t available without making one phone call himself.

I understand Scott Farmer is not going anywhere and that is fine with me because we have capable people in positions to succeed. But make no mistake about it, Scott Farmer is running this athletic department his way, not Dr. Savoie. The administration controls the budget, not the athletic department. And since Farmer has a free hand at running this athletic program, his decisions, actions and policies will constantly be under examination. Sometimes he will be criticized wrongly and there will other times were the criticism is right on target. But no matter what, some of his defenders that tailgate, play golf, tennis or drink with him will never agree with any negative comments directed at him unless it’s from a source from within his inner circle.

I will criticize Scott Farmer when I feel it’s necessary and I’m sure that won’t sit well with some of his inner circle. But while I have criticized him at times, I’ve never stopped writing checks to this university, fundraising or promoting this program on my time and dime. How many media people that cover this university actually buy season tickets, donate money and are RCAF members? You can probably use several fingers to count them and that includes those with degrees from this university.

The "news for you" wasn't directed at you, but more at all the other Farmer is satan believers. I understand a lot of what you say. I don't tailgate, fish or drink beer with Farmer. I've actually only spoken to him 2 or 3 times. Too many people on this board think that he can accomplish everything they want on our limited budget and handcuffs from the state. We sit here after having the most successful year in school history, the day hudspeth signs a monumental deal that will ensure that should he leave, we are in good shape, yet all that can be talked about is Farmer and T-Joe's shortcomings. How they screwed up this or screwed up that. How Farmer should have barged into the booth and demanded an interview to talk about the master plan. That ____ is getting old. We won't get to the promised land over night. We are, though, a lot closer than anyone could have imagined 5 years ago.

[SlappyCajun]

Stony Brook and Jackson St. Yuk.......

Are you knocking Stony Brook? They've made it to the CWS more recently than we have. And beat LSU at the Box to get there.

[ManAboutTown]

You got news for me? Go ahead and spill it, I’m willing to listen! I’m not bashing Scott Farmer; I simply said that interviews with AD’s happen all the time. Joe Dean interviewed at halftime at almost every LSU basketball game while AD. I’ve seen a many of interviews done by AD’s, so let’s not go down this road in a ____ing match because the examples are numerous. As I stated, I don’t think it was necessary for him to speak because there were many comments expressed by the media in articles and on twitter. So, I actually agreed with your statement that it was not important for Scott Farmer to speak on the issue.

Now, I got some news for you. I have my own sources and speak to coaches and other employees at this university, so I don’t depend upon filtered information from the local print media or sports radio when it comes to Scott Farmer. He is not the devil that some people paint him as nor is he the patron saint that some of his defenders proclaim he is either. His hands have been tied at times by budget restraints and he has had to make unpopular decisions. There have been other times when his told coaches to go out and do things themselves because the money wasn’t available without making one phone call himself.

I understand Scott Farmer is not going anywhere and that is fine with me because we have capable people in positions to succeed. But make no mistake about it, Scott Farmer is running this athletic department his way, not Dr. Savoie. The administration controls the budget, not the athletic department. And since Farmer has a free hand at running this athletic program, his decisions, actions and policies will constantly be under examination. Sometimes he will be criticized wrongly and there will other times were the criticism is right on target. But no matter what, some of his defenders that tailgate, play golf, tennis or drink with him will never agree with any negative comments directed at him unless it’s from a source from within his inner circle.

I will criticize Scott Farmer when I feel it’s necessary and I’m sure that won’t sit well with some of his inner circle. But while I have criticized him at times, I’ve never stopped writing checks to this university, fundraising or promoting this program on my time and dime. How many media people that cover this university actually buy season tickets, donate money and are RCAF members? You can probably use several fingers to count them and that includes those with degrees from this university.

This is exactly how I feel. I think most understand that these things are part of the process. Farmer has done good things and bad. He deserves credit and criticism. Honestly, why would we want it any other way? If he'd be pleasing everyone, something would be amiss. If he'd be a total flop, he'd be gone and we'd be complaining about a bad year in our athletic program rather than complaining about how he's not succeeding "the correct way". Is there better out there? I'm sure. Is there worse? Absolutely. I think Scott is learning to deal with success just like the rest of us, and I have no problem with him as our AD for now.

In a position like that, with a fan base that has been Shyt on for the better part of 30 years, upsetting people is going to happen. Having said all that, he should be held to a standard, and that standard should rise as he continues to hire people that succeed around him on and off the field.

Regardless of all this, we need to keep pumping money into this thing. Now is not the time to be cynical or idealistic. Sometimes in life, you just have to trust blindly.

[Cajunjeb]

My question for Robichaux. "Has he asked Scott Farmer to 'show him the money!'"

[Dad04]

My question for Robichaux. "Has he asked Scott Farmer to 'show him the money!'"

[CrazyCajun]

Better show deggs more money

[The Antiwac]

Are you knocking Stony Brook? They've made it to the CWS more recently than we have. And beat LSU at the Box to get there.

I am well aware of that. I'm just saying that neither really generate too much excitement. Then again, I go to see the Cajuns play.

[HoustonCajun]

The "news for you" wasn't directed at you, but more at all the other Farmer is satan believers. I understand a lot of what you say. I don't tailgate, fish or drink beer with Farmer. I've actually only spoken to him 2 or 3 times. Too many people on this board think that he can accomplish everything they want on our limited budget and handcuffs from the state. We sit here after having the most successful year in school history, the day hudspeth signs a monumental deal that will ensure that should he leave, we are in good shape, yet all that can be talked about is Farmer and T-Joe's shortcomings. How they screwed up this or screwed up that. How Farmer should have barged into the booth and demanded an interview to talk about the master plan. That ____ is getting old. We won't get to the promised land over night. We are, though, a lot closer than anyone could have imagined 5 years ago.

What Cajun T said is right on point. And, where did I say anything about Farmer barging into the booth and demanding an interview? A simple request for an AD interview is all that needed to take place. If they refused, so be it. But, why not ask? Why just wait for an invitation? And, this wasn't about agreeing with the need for a new facility, but rather to state that a new facility is planned as part of our Master Plan. We took criticism for our facility. Ask for an opportunity to talk about our planned baseball stadium with renderings. This was a baseball telecast, so it was highly relevant. Be procative on this and not let people wonder if our current stadium with its duck blind media station is as good as it will ever be. It just added to, IMO, a less than positive national perception of Louisiana Lafayette of the Sun Belt Conference. The stadium not withstanding, our positive display in the Super Regional certainly helped to enhance that perception. The cluster____ regarding our name and a lack of effective marketing about who we are and what we are doing as well as being stuck in the Sun Belt offsets that. Being caught off guard twice regarding realignment left us in this position. We had a national audience for 3 days and they don't know any more about UL other than we have a name issue and an inadequate baseball stadium, but great fans and a great baseball atmosphere. While overall positive, perhaps more could have been done is all I am saying.

[CajunFan3406]

What Cajun T said is right on point. And, where did I say anything about Farmer barging into the booth and demanding an interview? A simple request for an AD interview is all that needed to take place. If they refused, so be it. But, why not ask? Why just wait for an invitation? And, this wasn't about agreeing with the need for a new facility, but rather to state that a new facility is planned as part of our Master Plan. We took criticism for our facility. Ask for an opportunity to talk about our planned baseball stadium with renderings. This was a baseball telecast, so it was highly relevant. Be procative on this and not let people wonder if our current stadium with its duck blind media station is as good as it will ever be. It just added to, IMO, a less than positive national perception of Louisiana Lafayette of the Sun Belt Conference. The stadium not withstanding, our positive display in the Super Regional certainly helped to enhance that perception. The cluster____ regarding our name and a lack of effective marketing about who we are and what we are doing as well as being stuck in the Sun Belt offsets that. Being caught off guard twice regarding realignment left us in this position. We had a national audience for 3 days and they don't know any more about UL other than we have a name issue and an inadequate baseball stadium, but great fans and a great baseball atmosphere. While overall positive, perhaps more could have been done is all I am saying.

In regards to the interview, even if SF is denied the opportunity to come in the box and talk about UL on air, he could always get some of the renderings of the new Tigue from the MP documents and at least show them to the announcers. Also talk about how we have a design team out there over the weeked assessing the varying deficiencies in the current facility. Maybe do it sometime before the second game. Wouldn't even have to be a long conversation. Leave a set of the renderings in the booth. Then if there is some downtime in the broadcast maybe it would be brought up by the announcers. No need to have SF on the air at all.