Parrott Blog: Dixon, Williams pegged to coach UL basketball

[MetryCajun]

Anything less than a SBC championship and NCAA berth, he should be fired.

[Cajunsmike]

_ Anything less than a SBC championship and NCAA berth, he should be fired. _

If he got to the NCAA, would you support a new contract being given? Yes, I am talking hypothetically here.

[zephyr]

Being that wins and losses are the primary deciding factors in choosing a coaches fate, I'd say he should be given that extension, albeit a small one. If there is somebody out there that we can get serious about going get, and put it in our minds that we will have to pay them better to come, then I'm all about it also but I'm simply basing my judgement on what so many here seem to judge on.

[rhineaux]

f/CoachKeathley via Twitter

I'd like to wish Coach and the University of Louisiana the best of luck next season! I think its a great school with a passionate fanbase!!
2:19 AM Jun 7th from web

I've had a lot of e-mails and questions--and I wanted to wait until the staff was finalized before I mentioned my status..
2:22 AM Jun 7th from web

There's no question we would have had the Cajin Dome rocking! But, I felt, I needed to explore other opportunities right now..
2:25 AM Jun 7th from web

Who knows, maybe down the road...Thank you to all the Cajin Fans who sent me notes or e-mails!
2:28 AM Jun 7th from web

A great City, School, Fans! I'll be cheering with you guys next season!
2:32 AM Jun 7th from web

[Cajunsmike]

_ Regardless of how many wins we get next year. Its still under the watch a below average coach. You see there or FLOATERS and MOTORS in the world. I think we got a FLOATER as a coach. Just think what we could do with a MOTOR for a coach. With the talent we have coming back for the 2010 season, we should get a MOTOR for a coach and watch how good talent and good coaching works together. It what jump start good recruting coming in for 2011 on.

These kids are not even taken part in a offseason routine. They dont shoot ball everyday, they dont work out everyday. I played ball with daigle today at Girard Park. No other players were there. I know a few of them are working hard, Like Tyren Johnson, who works out everyday. We have a chance to be good next year, but it all falls on how well the players play the game. _

Today was the first day of summer school. Perhaps they were in class this morning and will work out at the indoor facility in the afternoon. If that is not occurring, then you and Metry are right in that we will have a new basketall coach at this time next year.

[zephyr]

_ f/CoachKeathley via Twitter

I'd like to wish Coach and the University of Louisiana the best of luck next season! I think its a great school with a passionate fanbase!!
2:19 AM Jun 7th from web

I've had a lot of e-mails and questions--and I wanted to wait until the staff was finalized before I mentioned my status..
2:22 AM Jun 7th from web

There's no question we would have had the Cajin Dome rocking! But, I felt, I needed to explore other opportunities right now..
2:25 AM Jun 7th from web

Who knows, maybe down the road...Thank you to all the Cajin Fans who sent me notes or e-mails!
2:28 AM Jun 7th from web

A great City, School, Fans! I'll be cheering with you guys next season!
2:32 AM Jun 7th from web _

So, what happened with Keathley???

[MetryCajun]

_ If he got to the NCAA, would you support a new contract being given? Yes, I am talking hypothetically here. _

Depends. If he wins 18+ games, yes. If he just catches lightning in a bottle for the SBC tourny, no.

Come next year, I do not think this will be a tough decision.

[rhineaux]

_ So, what happened with Keathley??? _

I'm not sure. he was offered and had accepted pending the salary structure, last we heard. Not sure if the salary was too low or if he saw the writing on the wall. One thing's for sure, the guy seems to know basketball, and he would have been an asset to this staff. And, should RL not be retained, Keathley could easily be a candidate for the HC position.

_ Depends. If he wins 18+ games, yes. If he just catches lightning in a bottle for the SBC tourny, no.

Come next year, I do not think this will be a tough decision. _

I'd almost suggest that wins aren't even a factor in this decision next year. First, make no mistake why he was kept in the first place. It had absolutely nothing to do with the teams on-court performance or lack thereof. Secondly, look at the schedule...2 D-II games, 2 games v. bottom rung CUSA teams, the first conference slate of SLC games, and the second conference slate of SBC games. Who gives a crap if he wins 18 games next year? I worked at the YMCA one summer and played soccer with the kids everyday. I looked like a regular Diego Maradona, but it was against 10 year olds, so who really cares? This team could probably win 24 games next year, and lose in the Tournament finals, and still be a weak candidate for an at-large spot because the RPI and SOS would be so low.

I (as well as others) said after the season that if they wanted the fans to follow them and trust them, a change needed to be made. He was retained, and I think that attendance numbers for 09-10 will prove us right. But if you think attendance will be bad this coming season, go ahead and reward him for 18 wins (his second winning season in 7 years) by resigning him...I certainly wouldn't want to be on the business end of that revolt.

In my opinion, he's had plenty of opportunities to showcase his talents. It just hasn't worked out. Regardless of what happens next season, I think it would be best for both parties to move on. The Athletic Department needs a change in order to renew the excitement in the fans, and to add some stability to the Basketball Program. RL needs a change so that he can start over, reflect, and absorb everything he's learned while he was here...and hopefully jump on with another program as an assistant somewhere (maybe a smaller school), network, move to a bigger school, and hopefully one day, get another HC gig. I always thought that RL was a little behind the 8-ball because he never had any tutelage under a major coach, other than that secondary connection to Lute Olsen through Evans...and who knows what he was able to gather from coaching under Fletcher.

[SlappyCajun]

_ I'm not sure. he was offered and had accepted pending the salary structure, last we heard. Not sure if the salary was too low or if he saw the writing on the wall. One thing's for sure, the guy seems to know basketball, and he would have been an asset to this staff. And, should RL not be retained, Keathley could easily be a candidate for the HC position.

Rhineaux,

Why in God's name would Keathley be a canidate for the HC coaching position. The guy has never been involved in Division I basketball. He is a head coach in a league that folded. And his team ran up and down and scored a bunch of points, but when there league folded they were 3rd place in a 4 team league....

Your thoughts....

Also you say it is obvious he knows basketball, why do you say this, because he self promotes himself, and seems to have some offense where he scores a lot of points in a leauge filled with players that are as talented as the guys who run in Girard Park....

[Cajunsmike]

_ I'm not sure. he was offered and had accepted pending the salary structure, last we heard. Not sure if the salary was too low or if he saw the writing on the wall. One thing's for sure, the guy seems to know basketball, and he would have been an asset to this staff. And, should RL not be retained, Keathley could easily be a candidate for the HC position.



I'd almost suggest that wins aren't even a factor in this decision next year. First, make no mistake why he was kept in the first place. It had absolutely nothing to do with the teams on-court performance or lack thereof. Secondly, look at the schedule...2 D-II games, 2 games v. bottom rung CUSA teams, the first conference slate of SLC games, and the second conference slate of SBC games. Who gives a crap if he wins 18 games next year? I worked at the YMCA one summer and played soccer with the kids everyday. I looked like a regular Diego Maradona, but it was against 10 year olds, so who really cares? This team could probably win 24 games next year, and lose in the Tournament finals, and still be a weak candidate for an at-large spot because the RPI and SOS would be so low.

I (as well as others) said after the season that if they wanted the fans to follow them and trust them, a change needed to be made. He was retained, and I think that attendance numbers for 09-10 will prove us right. But if you think attendance will be bad this coming season, go ahead and reward him for 18 wins (his second winning season in 7 years) by resigning him...I certainly wouldn't want to be on the business end of that revolt.

In my opinion, he's had plenty of opportunities to showcase his talents. It just hasn't worked out. Regardless of what happens next season, I think it would be best for both parties to move on. The Athletic Department needs a change in order to renew the excitement in the fans, and to add some stability to the Basketball Program. RL needs a change so that he can start over, reflect, and absorb everything he's learned while he was here...and hopefully jump on with another program as an assistant somewhere (maybe a smaller school), network, move to a bigger school, and hopefully one day, get another HC gig. I always thought that RL was a little behind the 8-ball because he never had any tutelage under a major coach, other than that secondary connection to Lute Olsen through Evans...and who knows what he was able to gather from coaching under Fletcher. _

I don't necessarily think of USM and Tulane as bottom rung CUSA teams. I believe USM had a winning record in the league last year while Tulane was near 0.500. Tulane actually improved quite a bit as the year progressed. Playing against Louisville and LSU will generate a respectable RPI. You have a point about the two non D1 games though. That tells me a 16 and 13 record will really be 14 and 13. That is the minimum any fan will accept. I am concerned about the attendance the year after next if Robert is given a new contract with only moderate improvement next season.

[rhineaux]

_ _ I'm not sure. he was offered and had accepted pending the salary structure, last we heard. Not sure if the salary was too low or if he saw the writing on the wall. One thing's for sure, the guy seems to know basketball, and he would have been an asset to this staff. And, should RL not be retained, Keathley could easily be a candidate for the HC position.

Rhineaux,

Why in God's name would Keathley be a canidate for the HC coaching position. The guy has never been involved in Division I basketball. He is a head coach in a league that folded. And his team ran up and down and scored a bunch of points, but when there league folded they were 3rd place in a 4 team league....

Your thoughts....

Also you say it is obvious he knows basketball, why do you say this, because he self promotes himself, and seems to have some offense where he scores a lot of points in a leauge filled with players that are as talented as the guys who run in Girard Park.... _

Don't read too much into it. All I said was that he COULD EASILY be a CANDIDATE for the spot...not "should be the coach"...not "if you interview anyone, it should be for Keathley's staff"...just that he could be a candidate.

But, since you asked, even though I don't disagree with everything you say, I'll argue the point since you obviously have a beef with the guy.

You say he self-promotes. I assume it's because he's on Twitter. If that's the case, then there are a lot of coaches that do so. I don't really see it as a problem, no matter the reason for it. If it's because he posts a lot of video's of his show on YouTube, it could be self promotion, it could be an avenue for him to expose his team and league to more people, i.e. a little free marketing. Do you know when was the last time I watched a Bustle, Lee, or Robicheaux coaches show? 3 years ago when I last lived in Lafayette.

It doesn't bother me much that he doesn't have D-I experience. Pete Carroll was away from the college game for ~15 years before he went to USC. I think that one of the reasons he was more successful in the college game was his personality and how he relates to younger players. I'm not saying that Keathley will ever reach Pete Carroll's level, but the guy has dealt with young players his entire career, some amateur collegiate athletes, some almost amateur "pro" athletes. As a "Pro" coach, he has had some success. His recent performance with the EKY Miners might not have been the best, but it was a first year team from what I understand.

His system does put up a lot of points. I don't think the players skill level matters all that much. He's not using superior athletes compared to the rest of the league, nor is he using inferior athletes. His teams seem to give up a lot of points, but that could be due to how much they run (i.e. Phoenix Suns) or the fact that he's a bad defensive coach.

I did say he obviously knows basketball...I could be wrong. He certainly knows more than I do, not that that helps my argument. He was recognized as one of the Top 10 coaches not in the NBA recently, for the second time.

http://www.probasketballnews.com/story/?storyid=467

Like I said before, I don't necessarily disagree with every point you bring up. As stated, one of the reasons why I think RL has had trouble succeeding is because of his lack of time studying under a successful coach. KK certainly hasn't spent much, or any, time learning from a successful coach, but he has grown up and lived in KY all his life (where basketball is King), which has given him a lot more access to the game than RL might have had in Opelousas, LA, where football is king. But those are certainly points that can be debated.

At the end of the day, the way I see it, depending on what happens next year, this program could be in a bad way. And, I like the idea of a young, energetic coach, who likes to put himself out there and communicate with people, and who has an exciting offensive system, with Head Coaching experience (albeit not D-I), to come in here and rejuvenate the program. Maybe he's not the right fit. Maybe he's not the best candidate. Personally, I'd much rather see them go out and hire a guy D-II Head Coach who's won multiple National Championships (if that exists), or an assistant from a perennial NCAA Tourney team or National Championship team, or something along those lines. But, when you think about potentially having to replace the women's coach at the same time, what may or may not happen with Bustle this season, and if Robe deserves to be kept after next season (that's a joke), then I worry that they're not going to come up with the ~$300-400k to go out and get a major coach. And if that's the case, then I wouldn't have much of a problem with them interviewing a guy like Keathley, who may be looking to hone his craft at a different level, and continue to build his resume'.

[guru32]

I have to take up for the CBA coach, I did research on some of the players on his team

Galen Young, was drafted in the NBA draft in 1999

Wayne turner was all-sec and won a national championship at Kentucky, also played for the Boston Celtics

Mike Dean was all-first team sunbelt

Jermaine Blackburn apparently is getting looks from the NBA in a recent Probasketballnews article

Josh Pace played for Syracuse, had 8 points 8 rebounds in the NC game. He apparently by a article from a few months ago has 8 NBA teams interested in him.

These guys are better than any players Lafayette has, I don't think any one of those guys could make one of his rosters.

I also discovered that other players who have played for him, include Jamerio Moon, who plays in the NBA.

Also, I found that he has coached College NAIA, Juco, and other pro leagues and from a video I watched has never had a losing season. His teams seem to have a very fun style of play.
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