Selections for new coach

[Crawfish]

_ I should not have called you dumb. But what I will say is that the attack on Coach Jenkins was wrong. This guy worked hard for the time he was here. Not to say other Coaches didnt. He has always done well by UL. To try and slander him now that he has left is wrong.

While I am not sure about Coach Jenkins as a head coach (I do not know enough about him to say one way or another) I agree that this attach is not supported by any evidence. Everything I heard about him when he was here was positive, and he brought in some really good players from Fla. I think posters on this board would do well to stay away from personal attachs like this. It does nobody any good.

[Just1More]

_ I'm afraid I don't quite follow your rant. I agree with Pylon and understand the concept that "Football drives the bus" of the athletic budget both in terms of generating money and expenditures; however, if a single alumnus or group of alumni choose to donate $1 M to support a specific athletic program at our university, who are you, or me, or anyone else to tell them how they should spend the money? This point doesn't make me or other donors of time, money or support clowns. Quite frankly, if you tell that donor how he should spend his money, why would he not tell you to go to hell and keep it or spend it elsewhere. It's his money and his donating it to softball or baseball or any other sport does not take away from football. Football will need to find it's own donations by generating success and creating a market that people will support. And contrary to your argument that football is the only sport that commands respect outside of our area, I disagree. When I think Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina, Duke and many others, I don't think football; I think basketball...all well known programs. When I think Rice and Tulane in years past, I think baseball. La Tech for years was known for women's basketball. We hang our hat on softball, often on baseball and in years past, basketball. There is no shame in having other programs that are successful besides football and inspite of not having a football program that drives the bus. I hope changes are made to the football program and all sports benefit, but in the meantime, don't fix what ain't broken. JMO _

Sorry... but either I wrote poorly... or you read poorly. My comment about fighting over the money between programs is exactly what you are saying. I do not like badmouthing or limiting any of the other sports, when talking about the required superfocus on football. Of course no one has any say-so over direct donations to specific sports... and God Bless those who do it. It is vital that we have them all in a mode of competiveness. But, to have football down... there is little that the other sports do but placate a small group of supporters. That is simply how it is. We will not pull in our lost alumni and community in a huge way around any of the programs... without great football. When football is at its worst, it still has more fans than any other sport. It is simply a fact. And that fact is one that should not be overlooked... even by the mother of a softball player.

I'm trying to keep the talk of removing funding or support from other UL sports out of the discussion of how much we need to superfund football. You are correct about superfunding football... it is a very separate vein. But, you are incorrect that our notoriety in athletics is somehow going to be achieved with any one or a whole host of success in sports other than football. I thrive on our softball, baseball, sometimes basketball success... but it doesn't feed the bulk UL alumni/student system anything but scrap meat. Sorry, but that is a fact.

We are considered a pee-on... not a python... with it comes to athletics. You only need to get out of Lafayette for a little while and understand how incubated and infertile our system is. We are chumps in college athletics... and it is the blame of our lack of success in football. We cut very small wounds in the college athletic world when our other programs make it to their pinnacle.

The only solution that will make us capable of rallying and maybe getting a free pass for greatness in softball, baseball and basketball... is if we DROP football... if we aren't going to make football great. I have said it before and mean it with all of my blood... either get football up to a stellar bus driving athletic juggernaut... or drop it. No in between. But, do so without stangling the other sports. I would not, however, mainline any current funding improvements to any sport other than football... until football is in the thick of bowl success.

[Cayenne Eyeman]

_ Sorry... but either I wrote poorly... or you read poorly. My comment about fighting over the money between programs is exactly what you are saying. I do not like badmouthing or limiting any of the other sports, when talking about the required superfocus on football. Of course no one has any say-so over direct donations to specific sports... and God Bless those who do it. It is vital that we have them all in a mode of competiveness. But, to have football down... there is little that the other sports do but placate a small group of supporters. That is simply how it is. We will not pull in our lost alumni and community in a huge way around any of the programs... without great football. When football is at its worst, it still has more fans than any other sport. It is simply a fact. And that fact is one that should not be overlooked... even by the mother of a softball player.

I'm trying to keep the talk of removing funding or support from other UL sports out of the discussion of how much we need to superfund football. You are correct about superfunding football... it is a very separate vein. But, you are incorrect that our notoriety in athletics is somehow going to be achieved with any one or a whole host of success in sports other than football. I thrive on our softball, baseball, sometimes basketball success... but it doesn't feed the bulk UL alumni/student system anything but scrap meat. Sorry, but that is a fact.

We are considered a pee-on... not a python... with it comes to athletics. You only need to get out of Lafayette for a little while and understand how incubated and infertile our system is. We are chumps in college athletics... and it is the blame of our lack of success in football. We cut very small wounds in the college athletic world when our other programs make it to their pinnacle.

The only solution that will make us capable of rallying and maybe getting a free pass for greatness in softball, baseball and basketball... is if we DROP football... if we aren't going to make football great. I have said it before and mean it with all of my blood... either get football up to a stellar bus driving athletic juggernaut... or drop it. No in between. But, do so without stangling the other sports. I would not, however, mainline any current funding improvements to any sport other than football... until football is in the thick of bowl success. _

I agree with much of what you say; however, I did live in another southern state for nearly four years while in school. Many of my profs at that time did have respect for the Ragin Cajuns because of our play in basketball, softball and baseball. I hope football does come into it's own, soon. It will take change. I plan to continue to support UL athletics via season tickets, RCAF and other in kind donations to athletics. I hope others continue to do the same. I hope lots of folks show up for the ULM game in spite of what has been happening....make your voices count at the ULM game....even if it is to say you want a change....Show up for the boys...I'm asking this of all Cajun fans. Now, have a blessed Sunday!!! See you next Saturday.

[zephyr]

_ I often scratch my head while trying to get inside the head of UL fans. Expending time and energy in an effort to replace Bustle is as logical as whitewashing the walls and replacing the roof of a house with an unsound foundation.

Having been to 7 of the 10 universities in this state with football teams so far this season, I can definitively opine that UL's coaching staff doesn't even make the top-5 immediate issues needing to be addressed...You can raise Knute and the Bear from their graves, and it won't have any significant long term impact. _

Your presence here is a complete waste of time.

[zephyr]

_ Metry, I agree with you on your recruiting point. This point becomes apparent when you see how injuries impact us. Last year it was linebackers. This year it is offensive players. Green and McGuire were definitely missed last week. Without our best runner and best receiver, our offense stagnated. I do believe that our history makes it difficult to recruit despite our facility improvements. They need to drastically get better in the short term to overcome the history.

Having said that, there are some who know more football than I who believe another staff would get more from these guys than the current staff. That may be but I am not qualified to comment on that. _

No offense Mike but Brad McGuire or Green don't stop opposing offenses from putting up over 500 yards against us.

[zephyr]

_ There are 3 problems with your logic regarding upgrading the softball facility. Firstly, softball is a program within the UL athletic program that deserves a facility that is worthy of their consistent performance record and will enable them to host post-season tourneyment play and even better their chances to continue to be successful. You don't deprive a program that ain't broken to feed a program that is broken unless you want two broken programs. Secondly, the upgrade to the softball field is based mostly if not entirely upon the generosity of a huge fan and alumnus...not from the cajun athletic budget. I believe it is the individual's choice where he chooses to put his money. Now, if you want to ante' up your own money to offset our deficient athletic budget for the sake of football or any other sport, feel free to do so. Lastly, attending a few softball games does not make you a supporter of the program. Softball excells on a shoestring budget because of the efforts of true supporters who donate money and time helping to paint, pressure wash, garden, construct, repair, sweep, cook, etc., etc. for the program.

I hope football rounds the corner...one way or another... Just don't rob Peter to pay Paul. _

Maybe this is the way it should be in a perfect world but people aren't out there building huge athletic complexes for softball programs, no matter how good they are. The return on investment dollar will NEVER be returned.

[CajunCanaille]

_ Check out #3 on this list. They list him as a potential coach here
http://digitalheadbutt.wordpress.com...division-i-aa/ _

Interesting article. This is kinda the direction I wouldn't mind going when it comes time to get a new HC. I proven FBS coach or an OC/DC from a major university. The top 3 guys from this list have impressive resumes.

[Parrott]

Check out #3 on this list. They list him as a potential coach here
http://digitalheadbutt.wordpress.com...division-i-aa/

That blog is dated February 2008. Not sure how relevant that info would be now.

[Cajunsmike]

_ Maybe this is the way it should be in a perfect world but people aren't out there building huge athletic complexes for softball programs, no matter how good they are. The return on investment dollar will NEVER be returned. _

The comment about missing Green and McGuire was in reference to the FIU game, not the MT game.

[Cayenne Eyeman]

_ Maybe this is the way it should be in a perfect world but people aren't out there building huge athletic complexes for softball programs, no matter how good they are. The return on investment dollar will NEVER be returned. _

Well, neither are we. However, we are building a softball complex that is worthy of our program with money that is generously donated by an alumnus and fan of the program. I understand that our complex will be similar to that Houston and Baylor and should make us eligible for hosting regional and super-regional tourneyments. That should have no impact on money being available for football. I'd just say, we should leave softball out of the cross-hairs when hunting for the means to hire a new football coach.
JMO

[dperrin]

_ Our AD should first get the top 25 list of recommended coaches from all RCAF members... then go to the neighborhood butcher and use that list to wrap a nice ham bone for his dog. After the dog chews on the hambone and does his work in the yard, the AD should use that list to pick up after the dog and dispose of it.

Then... the AD should go to a professional coaching recruiting service and explain who the Cajuns are. After the guy researches and figures out who he's talking to and stops laughing... then he should interview the AD and ask him if he did what I said to do with the list from the fans.

After that has been put to rest, the recruiting service guy will evaluate our pathetic football mindset and bring in a sports psychiatrist and recommend 8 intense weeks of psychoanalysis for our school's management. They will attempt to both figure out why heads have been buried in colon's for so many decades and why the residual post trauma still manifests itself today... whether we deny it or not. They will extract unhealthy loser thinking and restore a sense of conquering spirit that resides in all successful people.

Once that is done, they will begin to talk about success. The work it requires and the extreme benefits derived from it. They will explain how the fear and pain that it takes to begin your journey toward success begins to become very rewarding in and of itself. As long as you do not revert to climbing back up into your own colon.

Once this process is over, they will begin looking at great football coaching talent across the nation, and specifically in the south. They will have exceptionally stimulating discussions about the reality of being a piece of ankle meat for other teams to gnaw on as they prepare for bowls... or being a predatory team that gets upset when you don't win by 10 touchdowns or more in every game leading up to your bowl.

From that process, they will single out 3 young energetic high IQ UL football coaching candidates and the recruiting consultant will facilitate the courtships. Our management will be prepared to listen, negotiate, take risks, and begin a journey that ensures success. Then... and only then... will UL find out how the other half lives. _

Damn I love reading your posts. Agree 100%!!!

Just1More for AD!!!!!!!

[VObserver]

_ Damn I love reading your posts. Agree 100%!!!

Just1More for AD!!!!!!! _

Yeah, Old Just1More has become a prophet. He is dead on in his assessment of where we are and what we need to do to change it. I also notice that in some respects the old adage 'A prophet is reviled in his own land.' is being exhibited here.

We MUST make an aggressive, loud and emphatic statement for UL athletics, and it must be done NOW [within a week of the end of the season]. Sooner, if we lose to ULM at home in front of a small crowd.

The quick hook must be out for both Lee and Rogers as well, unless miracles occur in their sports. And their replacements MUST be quality hires as well.

We can't afford NOT to change coaches in all the 'big three' [NCAA wide, not UL] sports.

[raginsaints]

_ How many "outside" people do you speak of? Just because the softball team is a phenomenal program doesn't mean that they should be the signature sport of this university. Football is the biggest money generator for ANY athletic program and as long as this is the case, we should strive for bigger and better things. I bet you became a Carolina Panther fan back in 2005 too didn't you? _

I'm saying the opposite. I don't want softball to be our signature sport. I think you have me mixed up.

[daryl johnson]

Sftball does deserve an upgrade. No they should not be our signature sport but they should get an new and improved building or stadium should I say. Why not they are winning Championships.

[HoustonCajun]

_ Sftball does deserve an upgrade. No they should not be our signature sport but they should get an new and improved building or stadium should I say. Why not they are winning Championships. _

Most schools do the opposite. They build winning football and basketball programs that generate the revenue and support that allows the non-revenue sports to excel and improve facilities. UL, on the other hand, finds one winning program that succeeds despite our athletic department, builds it up as our lone signature sport, then later (hopefully, but no proof that they will) addresses football and basketball where revenue, attendance and support are down. This is all part of a master plan that the athletic department has secretly devised. I guess it will all come together at some time in our lifetime. I'm getting tired of waiting.