Athlon: 2009 University of Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Preview

[Clutch0364]

_ So what if he wins 6? I can almost guarantee you that it won't be more than 6 maybe 7 tops. There also exists the possibility that he only wins 4 or so with the youth at crucial positions. Throw into the mix that teams like Troy and ASU are going to be loaded with FAU a contender and teams like MTSU being more improved and that doesn't bode well for a team trying to replace some of the best its had at their respective positions. For all those "I'm tired of mediocrity" people out there, I'm only here to tell you that this year will likely not deviate far from that in terms of wins and losses. If you are looking for the breakout, signature season, don't look for it this season. So, that puts us back to the question of whether you will want him back with 5-6 wins. For me, if that is the case, I don't want any more 3+ year extensions and I want to see what the team looks like on the field. I want to see if the level of play is as high as it was last year from weeks 2-9. _

Without a 7-8 win season I think he should be gone. He has had his time and if by now he can't put a team on the field that can win at least 7 games then we need to find someone that can.

[rhineaux]

I agree with this.

The problem is though that Bustle's contract is up after 2009. So do you give him a 1 year extension to play out the 2010 season even if he only wins 5 games in '09?

That will be a very tough decision. I believe 2008 was "our year" to get it done. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your POV), Bustle may end up paying for it after this season.

Actually, I think it expires after the 2010 season. A crappy year this year means a buy-out. Parrott knows for sure though.

_ So what if he wins 6? I can almost guarantee you that it won't be more than 6 maybe 7 tops. There also exists the possibility that he only wins 4 or so with the youth at crucial positions. Throw into the mix that teams like Troy and ASU are going to be loaded with FAU a contender and teams like MTSU being more improved and that doesn't bode well for a team trying to replace some of the best its had at their respective positions. For all those "I'm tired of mediocrity" people out there, I'm only here to tell you that this year will likely not deviate far from that in terms of wins and losses. If you are looking for the breakout, signature season, don't look for it this season. So, that puts us back to the question of whether you will want him back with 5-6 wins. For me, if that is the case, I don't want any more 3+ year extensions and I want to see what the team looks like on the field. I want to see if the level of play is as high as it was last year from weeks 2-9. _

66 days until kickoff. Excuses already flowing. Just once I'd like to go into a season, any sport, and not have questions about how good a team might be, or have people cautioning against getting excited because they might suck.

Did you seriously drop a "youth" excuse? I thought the defense was supposed to be so much better because all of the "youth" got valuable playing time last year? I thought the offense was going to be good because of the better talent at skill positions and the experience on the O-Line? I thought that losing players wasn't going to be as big of a deal anymore because they're recruiting better athletes now.

If Bustle wins 6 or less this year, the relationship should end, with the only potential savior being whether or not he limps into a bowl game. He's never won more than 6. He's had teams go 4-2 and 5-3, only to finish with 6 wins. Another 6 win season this year will be the 3rd since reaching that mark in 2005.

If he wins 6 and stays, and happens to win 8 next year...then to me, you're in the same position as with Robert Lee, if he's successful this coming season. You have a coach without a contract, who is coming off a successful season, but has never shown the ability to be above average on a consistent basis. Can't go year by year because that hurts the stability of the program. Can't go long term because he hasn't shown that he fully deserves it.

If he wins 6 and stays, and happens to win 6 or less next year...then all you've done is prolong the next, hopefully more successful, stage of Ragin Cajun football.

[Clutch0364]

_ Actually, I think it expires after the 2010 season. A crappy year this year means a buy-out. Parrott knows for sure though.



66 days until kickoff. Excuses already flowing. Just once I'd like to go into a season, any sport, and not have questions about how good a team might be, or have people cautioning against getting excited because they might suck.

Did you seriously drop a "youth" excuse? I thought the defense was supposed to be so much better because all of the "youth" got valuable playing time last year? I thought the offense was going to be good because of the better talent at skill positions and the experience on the O-Line? I thought that losing players wasn't going to be as big of a deal anymore because they're recruiting better athletes now.

If Bustle wins 6 or less this year, the relationship should end, with the only potential savior being whether or not he limps into a bowl game. He's never won more than 6. He's had teams go 4-2 and 5-3, only to finish with 6 wins. Another 6 win season this year will be the 3rd since reaching that mark in 2005.

If he wins 6 and stays, and happens to win 8 next year...then to me, you're in the same position with Robert Lee if he's successful this coming season. You have a coach without a contract, who is coming off a successful season, but has never shown the ability to be above average on a consistent basis. Can't go year by year because that hurts the stability of the program. Can't go long term because he hasn't shown that he fully deserves it.

If he wins 6 and stays, and happens to win 6 or less next year...then all you've done is prolong the next, hopefully more successful, stage of Ragin Cajun football. _

[Cajunsmike]

_ I agree with this.

The problem is though that Bustle's contract is up after 2009. So do you give him a 1 year extension to play out the 2010 season even if he only wins 5 games in '09?

That will be a very tough decision. I believe 2008 was "our year" to get it done. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your POV), Bustle may end up paying for it after this season. _

Coach Bustle's contract expires after 2010, not 2009. If he is released after this season, he will receive a buyout.

[CajunZ1]

I stand corrected about his contract. The only way he gets bought out after this year is if he only wins 4 games. 5 games and a few close losses and he'll be back with no extension. It does matter how you lose, so if it's 5 wins and a bunch of blowouts, he could get bought out. Jmo

to clarify, the reason I think 5 wins may be enough to save his job is because he may get some slack from te admin since we lost dez, fenroy and chery. Not saying I agree, just saying...
igeaux.mobi

[4LSU]

.....Actually, I think it expires after the 2010 season. A crappy year this year means a buy-out.......

This is just a thought and I don't know how valid it might be, but I think buy-outs are going to be a tough sell considering the hit college budgets are gonna take. I guess you always have the "private funds" thought, but I think the idea of paying 2 coaches from any funds for the same job when you have people laid-off or being furloughed or positions not filled and school presidents crying to anyone who will listen bout their funding woes is gonna be a real problem for anyone who wants to fire someone with a contract that's gonna have to be paid.

I think letting the contract run out will be a mighty temping path to follow at this time...just thinking out loud.

[Sonsissymia]

_ I stand corrected about his contract. The only way he gets bought out after this year is if he only wins 4 games. 5 games and a few close losses and he'll be back with no extension. It does matter how you lose, so if it's 5 wins and a bunch of blowouts, he could get bought out. Jmo

to clarify, the reason I think 5 wins may be enough to save his job is because he may get some slack from te admin since we lost dez, fenroy and chery. Not saying I agree, just saying...
igeaux.mobi _

if this is anywhere near true, i'd love to be able to read the "damn, ain't we got it good" text messages that must go between him and lee.