Butch Pierre

[Cajunsmike]

_ Butch did some good things for us and I both thank him for his effort and wish him well, but , right or wrong, I was in the camp that wanted a experienced HC who had proven himself a tad in a respected basketball conference. It might come back to bite me in the butt, but I didn't think we could go with an unproven guy as Butch at this time.

Is there a dilemma for your administration, even with the understanding that football and basketball were at different levels when the past changes were made, in releasing a coach working in his 4th yr who has made the post season with a .470 winning percentage and keeping a coach headed into his 8th season with a .390 winning percentage and no post season play. I'm no expert on the SBC, but isn't it generally viewed as a stronger basketball conference than football? I'm not suggesting what needs to be done, but looking with an uneducated eye and wondering.

Whatever the direction your powers that be decide on, good luck. _

Basketball will have it's fourth consecutive non winning season this year while football has had one losing season in the last four. That is why there is not as much frustration with football as there are with basketball. I don't think the administration sees a dilemna as a result. Therefore There are a lot of reasons for the basketball struggles that are not necessarily related to Robert Lee's coaching ability. However, he is the man ultimately responsible and he of course has to bear the criticisim as a result.

[jllanclos]

As much as it pains me to say it, Turbine is spot on....this time

[AstroCajun]

_ As much as it pains me to say it, Turbine is spot on....this time _

And as much as it pains me to say it, I wish basketball season was over already so these discussions can be more than just theoretical.

[CajunCanaille]

_ Not sure coming from that level you bring the necessary recruiting ability. I know they have to recruit and work hard to do it-but different level of players. Think you are better off with a Felton or a Pierre or more likely an up and coming asst from a D1 program. _

I'm on board with you. Getting a guy from a lower level is just a step up from getting a guy from high school. D 1 basketball is a different animal. I would prefer an up and coming D1 asst. Whether that's Pierre or not is another question.

Here is a section of his profile. This gets me onboard for Pierre.

"Pierre has made a mark in coaching everywhere he has set up shop. He has also built and established a reputation throughout the country of turning losing into winning at each institution he has worked at throughout his career."

I don't know about you but we fall under this category.

Link:
http://www.okstate.com/ViewArticle.d...&Q_SEASON=2008

[Cajunsmike]

_ I'm on board with you. Getting a guy from a lower level is just a step up from getting a guy from high school. D 1 basketball is a different animal. I would prefer an up and coming D1 asst. Whether that's Pierre or not is another question.

Here is a section of his profile. This gets me onboard for Pierre.

"Pierre has made a mark in coaching everywhere he has set up shop. He has also built and established a reputation throughout the country of turning losing into winning at each institution he has worked at throughout his career."

I don't know about you but we fall under this category.

Link:
http://www.okstate.com/ViewArticle.d...&Q_SEASON=2008 _

Getting a guy from the Southland Conference is completely different than getting someone from high school. A Southland conference team (Northwestern State) beat Big Ten contender Iowa in the NCAA tourney in 2006. A guy who has succeeded in the Southland will likely do so in the Sun Belt.

[Just1More]

When it happens... I'd like to see this athletic department do a national search (and include Butch Pierre and others) just to see how we are different from the past. This would be an indication of overall seriousness towards our major athletics programs. We have to consider what it will take to retain and improve our current players' attitudes along with our desire for a really solid coach. I'm just not in the mood anymore for long term program building hype and the "wait til next year" philosophy.

I want it good and I want it now! I deserve it!

[CajunNation]

Basketball will have it's fourth consecutive non winning season this year while football has had one losing season in the last four.

Think of it this way.

Lee won a share of a Division Championship last season. This year, we're bad.

Bustle won a share of a Conference Championship 4 years ago. Since then, we have lost 21 games in 3 years for an average record of 5-7.

Like it or not, this university has set a precedent for what constitutes a fireable record. As of yet, Lee has not reached that because Bustle is still here.

Don't get me wrong. They should both go, today.

Just know that keeping Bustle and firing Lee makes Karl Bernard's mouth water.

[zephyr]

_ Think of it this way.

Lee won a share of a Division Championship last season. This year, we're bad.

Bustle won a share of a Conference Championship 4 years ago. Since then, we have lost 21 games in 3 years for an average record of 5-7.

Like it or not, this university has set a precedent for what constitutes a fireable record. As of yet, Lee has not reached that because Bustle is still here.

Don't get me wrong. They should both go, today.

Just know that keeping Bustle and firing Lee makes Karl Bernard's mouth water. _

It's not as easy as you state when comparing two completely different sports. You have to also look at where we were with each sport before the respective coaches arrived and the football program was in MUCH worse shape than the basketball program. The university can't fire both, payout their existing contracts and then hire quality coaches so that argument just needs to die as it is unrealistic. I was in favor of keeping coach Lee going into this season but I have since changed my mind. The level of play with this team is deplorable. They haven't been competitive in many of their own conference games and I could argue that this conference is a much better football conference than basketball conference. Coach Lee has been given the benefit of the doubt and has completely lost this team. I fear that if we keep him, we lose some of our good young players for good. For those reasons, I say it is a must that we get rid of coach Lee.

[zephyr]

_ Butch did some good things for us and I both thank him for his effort and wish him well, but , right or wrong, I was in the camp that wanted a experienced HC who had proven himself a tad in a respected basketball conference. It might come back to bite me in the butt, but I didn't think we could go with an unproven guy as Butch at this time.

Is there a dilemma for your administration, even with the understanding that football and basketball were at different levels when the past changes were made, in releasing a coach working in his 4th yr who has made the post season with a .470 winning percentage and keeping a coach headed into his 8th season with a .390 winning percentage and no post season play. I'm no expert on the SBC, but isn't it generally viewed as a stronger basketball conference than football? I'm not suggesting what needs to be done, but looking with an uneducated eye and wondering.

Whatever the direction your powers that be decide on, good luck. _

Over the past couple of years, I'd argue that the SBC has become a better football conference than Basketball but again, it is hard to compare two different sports on that criteria.

[bballholic]

I spoke with Butch earlier today (about possibly working bball camp as instructor), and I think it's safe to say he's not coming to Lafayette any time soon. Now, that could obviously change if UL were to open their pocket book ($175-200K isn't going to cut it). We didn't get into specifics but I somehow got the feeling that he felt snubbed from the University in the past. He didn't flat out say no to the idea, but he didn't sound amused at all. He's not making a ton at Ok State but he's content for now. He's obviously still very interested in taking over a mid-major level program. Also, it sounds as if both his twin boys could have a legitimate shot at playing D1 ball.

[HoustonCajun]

_ I was referring to athletics in general, but you do have a point. Trent Johnson was a huge get for them; if UL had the chance to get a guy like Trent, I most certainly would hope our Admin would through the kitchen sink at him.

In all honesty, I sorta felt bad for Butch. I've always been a fan. I was hoping he'd get the chance to HC a big program. _

UL would only throw in the sink. LSU was able to throw in the whole kitchen. For that reason, UL would never get a coach like Trent Johnson. We will likely have to go with either a somewhat untested head coach like Pierre or possibly get a coach like Felton who was released by Georgia. He is proven at WKU although did not fare well at UGA. He may be desperate enough to take the UL job.

[HoustonCajun]

_ I spoke with Butch earlier today (about possibly working bball camp as instructor), and I think it's safe to say he's not coming to Lafayette any time soon. Now, that could obviously change if UL were to open their pocket book ($175-200K isn't going to cut it). We didn't get into specifics but I somehow got the feeling that he felt snubbed from the University in the past. He didn't flat out say no to the idea, but he didn't sound amused at all. He's not making a ton at Ok State but he's content for now. He's obviously still very interested in taking over a mid-major level program. Also, it sounds as if both his twin boys could have a legitimate shot at playing D1 ball. _

That was under Dr. A and fortunately he is retired now. Dr. Savoie brings a different mind set to things and I would hope Pierre would keep an open mind to that. Also, Schexnayder is not AD and he might have been at the time.