Above average: UL football season in review

[DestinCajun]

However, next year should be clearly noted that coach Bustle should be held to a higher expectation and we should see a better product on the field as well. _

I agree. It's taken awhile to get to this point but because of what he had to start with at UL, (i.e. absolutely nothing), he's earned getting his fan evaluations delayed longer than the typical situation involving 4-5 years.

[GeauxCajuns]

is this one of those wait til next year things again...we need a real coach. I appreciate everything bustle has done for this program, because it is definitely in better shape than when he took over, but i think he has taken it as far as he can. everyone is saying get off his back for a 6-6 year. do you people not remember what happened the year after our 6-5 year or even better, after our other 6-6 year....we tanked, and if something isn't done it will happen again and we really wont be able to get anyone in here to coach. jmo

[zephyr]

_ is this one of those wait til next year things again...we need a real coach. I appreciate everything bustle has done for this program, because it is definitely in better shape than when he took over, but i think he has taken it as far as he can. everyone is saying get off his back for a 6-6 year. do you people not remember what happened the year after our 6-5 year or even better, after our other 6-6 year....we tanked, and if something isn't done it will happen again and we really wont be able to get anyone in here to coach. jmo _

Here is the scenario. First, Bustle was on the hotseat this year with fans and rightfully so. However, he still has 3 years left on his contract. You CAN'T buy him out because of our budget woes. So, you have to hope that we put a better product on the field. It would have been an easy decision for the administration if he had won 3 games like last year and seemingly lost what fanbase we have. However, the team like the article said, actually surprised a lot of the "experts" witht their finish in league and near losses to BCS schools despite all of the injuries we had. The record was mediocre but the level of play for much of the season was MUCH better than what we've seen in recent years. The offense when healthy was one of the best in the country (just ask Kansas St.). The D was much improved (just ask Juice Williams and Illinois) and both were leading to some exciting games.

My biggest complaint with Bustle has been his inconsistency from year to year which is what you stated. I hate how we can win 4 in a row but lose 5 in a row also. The same is from year to year and I think that the bar has been raised. I did not expect a good 2007 season but I just didn't expect to get beat by McNeese and lose our lead to Ohio to finish so bad also. Until this program is provided the resources to increase its budget and get on a level playing field, a 6-6 year is not bad at all.

If you have any recommendations as to how we can pony up more than 194k to pay a head coach, I'm all ears. Will Muschamp just got a nice big bonus to be offensive coordinator at Texas and is payed 900k!

If they announced tomorrow that we hired Turner Gill and were able to pay him what is needed since he's not making much more than Bustle now, I'd be ecstatic and help Bustle pack his things. However, this university is not in a position financially to lure some really good coaches yet....

[Clutch0364]

_ Here is the scenario. First, Bustle was on the hotseat this year with fans and rightfully so. However, he still has 3 years left on his contract. You CAN'T buy him out because of our budget woes. So, you have to hope that we put a better product on the field. It would have been an easy decision for the administration if he had won 3 games like last year and seemingly lost what fanbase we have. However, the team like the article said, actually surprised a lot of the "experts" witht their finish in league and near losses to BCS schools despite all of the injuries we had. The record was mediocre but the level of play for much of the season was MUCH better than what we've seen in recent years. The offense when healthy was one of the best in the country (just ask Kansas St.). The D was much improved (just ask Juice Williams and Illinois) and both were leading to some exciting games.

My biggest complaint with Bustle has been his inconsistency from year to year which is what you stated. I hate how we can win 4 in a row but lose 5 in a row also. The same is from year to year and I think that the bar has been raised. I did not expect a good 2007 season but I just didn't expect to get beat by McNeese and lose our lead to Ohio to finish so bad also. Until this program is provided the resources to increase its budget and get on a level playing field, a 6-6 year is not bad at all.

If you have any recommendations as to how we can pony up more than 194k to pay a head coach, I'm all ears. Will Muschamp just got a nice big bonus to be offensive coordinator at Texas and is payed 900k!

If they announced tomorrow that we hired Turner Gill and were able to pay him what is needed since he's not making much more than Bustle now, I'd be ecstatic and help Bustle pack his things. However, this university is not in a position financially to lure some really good coaches yet.... _

Muschamp is a DC not OC

If La Tech can pony up 400K to pay Dooley there is no reason that we can't do the same. Until he proves me wrong (which I don't think he will) I am on the Fire Bustle bandwagon and I am not going to get off.

[DestinCajun]

If you have any recommendations as to how we can pony up more than 194k to pay a head coach, I'm all ears. Will Muschamp just got a nice big bonus to be offensive coordinator at Texas and is payed 900k!

If they announced tomorrow that we hired Turner Gill and were able to pay him what is needed since he's not making much more than Bustle now, I'd be ecstatic and help Bustle pack his things. However, this university is not in a position financially to lure some really good coaches yet.... _

Tulane's HC Bob Toledo is in the second year of his contract (2-10 this season) and they pay him $650K. Yes, I did say Tulane.

In terms of physical talent, facilities, administrative and fan support, etc. Tulane is about where we were in 2002 when Bustle arrived. If they think firing Toledo and hiring a new coach is a sure fire way to success in their present situation then I feel really, really sorry for them. No sir, at best the weenies are looking at a long, difficult building project and patience with Toledo is the most important ingredient right now. I know that based upon personal experience with our program.

Given the factor you mention above, the major injuries we suffered this season, the season record despite the injuries, the fact this team really did earn an I Bowl invite, the excellence in the 2008 recruiting class and looking at our returners next season and the recent, overall upgrades in the program, I have no reservations about waiting another season before really putting Coach B on the hot seat.

[zephyr]

_ Muschamp is a DC not OC

If La Tech can pony up 400K to pay Dooley there is no reason that we can't do the same. Until he proves me wrong (which I don't think he will) I am on the Fire Bustle bandwagon and I am not going to get off. _

Dooley is paid 400k for both duties as AD and Head football coach if I'm not mistaken. That would mean as head coach alone he'd make a decent amount less. You understand that currently we have the second worst athletic budget in the country (D-1) but its actually worse than that considering that lots of D-II programs have better budgets as well..

[zephyr]

_ Tulane's HC Bob Toledo is in the second year of his contract (2-10 this season) and they pay him $650K. Yes, I did say Tulane.

In terms of physical talent, facilities, administrative and fan support, etc. Tulane is about where we were in 2002 when Bustle arrived. If they think firing Toledo and hiring a new coach is a sure fire way to success in their present situation then I feel really, really sorry for them. No sir, at best the weenies are looking at a long, difficult building project and patience with Toledo is the most important ingredient right now. I know that based upon personal experience with our program.

Given the factor you mention above, the major injuries we suffered this season, the season record despite the injuries, the fact this team really did earn an I Bowl invite, the excellence in the 2008 recruiting class and looking at our returners next season and the recent, overall upgrades in the program, I have no reservations about waiting another season before really putting Coach B on the hot seat. _

And thus he should be put on the hotseat. Every year for the next 3 years should be a hotseat year, not an extension year.

[Clutch0364]

_ Dooley is paid 400k for both duties as AD and Head football coach if I'm not mistaken. That would mean as head coach alone he'd make a decent amount less. You understand that currently we have the second worst athletic budget in the country (D-1) but its actually worse than that considering that lots of D-II programs have better budgets as well.. _

No he was paid 400k before he took on the AD role

[rhineaux]

_ Here is the scenario. First, Bustle was on the hotseat this year with fans and rightfully so. However, he still has 3 years left on his contract. You CAN'T buy him out because of our budget woes.

According to Parrott, who has reviewed the contract, the contract is scheduled to terminate in January 2010, i.e. after next season. The extra years are incentive years for benchmarks that have not yet been met. Secondly, if bought out, there is a stipulation in there that says he is required to pursue a job with an FBS school. If hired, UL's financial obligation to him is decreased by his new salary. And, failure to pursue employment in the FBS will result in termination of the contract.

[Just1More]

_ No he was paid 400k before he took on the AD role _

That is correct. Dooley was already making in the upper 300k range, and the AD position added 40-60k. I do, however, agree with Zephyr's assessment. I think Bustle is giving us what we pay for. I also do not want this admin siding with some fans and just "swapping out" a coach. They have not given us, as an admin, a system that pays and surrounds our program with the package necessary for beating down the SBC in football.

There are a whole lot of speculators in this "game" that have no real skin in it other than emotion. It is easy as pie to talk about some heralded high school coach, or some D1AA coach coming in here and "obviously doing more than Bustle". That is bunk. Bustle is a key part of the football equation... but until our admin comes out with a program elevation engine, we cannot expect a coaching "swap out" by these guys to mean anything more than "the next excuse".

Bustle is here next year... and I will not allow, for myself, to use the Fenroy, MD, Chery being gone as an excuse for anything. I firmly believe we are in better shape next year due to the experience offensive and defensive lines. I also believe the defense will be better overall. The skill players will perform... I have no doubt... and if the cast of players around them are even marginally better... I expect better next year.

Or else... one less year of contract... less money to replace... but again... admin has to come thru with a better program package and commitment themselves prior to another coaching "swap". That is where "our" pressure needs to be exerted... admin.