Selections for new coach

[MetryCajun]

_ Yesterday, ESPN radio was talking about that very thing, a coach's appearance, style and image. Dan was referring to coaches like the Kansas Coach who weighs over 400 lbs. or Weiss at Notre Dame who have very poor images. When they get on the hot seat, as apparently both coaches are, another compelling reason to dismiss them is they don't have the right image the university want's its coach to have. Image isn't everything, but does matter. There have even been threads here about Bustle's image, how poorly he dresses, chews tabacco, not a good public speaker, is just a good ole boy, etc. Just win and it doesn't matter. Lose and it just adds to the total losing package. Bustle's image and lack of winning are certainly against him at this time. _

You are so right on that. Anyone see the Colts coach this weekend? Is he even alive? It is all getting glossed over b/c they are 9-0, but mark my words, when they start losing he will get critisized heavily because of his lack of sideline presence.

[Just1More]

_ Hey, I love our softball program and you are right, they do deserve the stadium and the upgrades. They earned it. I am just saying that UL is doing it backwards out of necessity because they failed to build winning money driven programs to begin with. If we don't do something soon with football and basketball, the UNO model will start to look attractive. _

Let's not get off in the weeds on the softball facilities subject. Softball's deserved facilities and support are not taking anything away from our ability to pay much more for a football coach. We also do not need to be haggling over this "signature sport" nonsense. UL softball's success origins had as much to do with timing as anything. While giants were sleeping, we built a world class softball program. We should be proud that when an attempt was made to rob us of it... we persevered and continue to shine.

Let's be proud of our softball program and stop getting trapped by some scrotum tick that stops by here and tries to claim we are a "softball first" athletic system. While we are trying to restore basketball and baseball, and finally take football serious, we get to enjoy and support the rewards our softball program brings.

Don't pit our sports programs against each other. That only rips holes in our fabric. We need to put great emphasis on football because it will bring greater returns to everything UL. There is no need to rob other sports in order to do that. We do need the other sports, including all their coaches, to support UL football's necessary rise to success.

Dooley is a Tool. He looks the part, but he isn't the real deal. As one Tech guy told me with a little gleam in his eye "Derek is an attorney"... I replied, "that only means he's going to be harder to get off your shoe after you realize what he is."

[Damon]

If you think Tech's coach is "photogenic" or "handsome".... you need new .

[Hammer58]

_ Let's not get off in the weeds on the softball facilities subject. Softball's deserved facilities and support are not taking anything away from our ability to pay much more for a football coach. We also do not need to be haggling over this "signature sport" nonsense. UL softball's success origins had as much to do with timing as anything. While giants were sleeping, we built a world class softball program. We should be proud that when an attempt was made to rob us of it... we persevered and continue to shine.

Let's be proud of our softball program and stop getting trapped by some scrotum tick that stops by here and tries to claim we are a "softball first" athletic system. While we are trying to restore basketball and baseball, and finally take football serious, we get to enjoy and support the rewards our softball program brings.

Don't pit our sports programs against each other. That only rips holes in our fabric. We need to put great emphasis on football because it will bring greater returns to everything UL. There is no need to rob other sports in order to do that. We do need the other sports, including all their coaches, to support UL football's necessary rise to success.

Dooley is a Tool. He looks the part, but he isn't the real deal. As one Tech guy told me with a little gleam in his eye "Derek is an attorney"... I replied, "that only means he's going to be harder to get off your shoe after you realize what he is." _

That is what some other state schools are doing with their programs. At least two are putting all of their eggs in one basket and gambling for a big payoff. The problem is that the other sports' coaches and athletes feel shortchanged. I work with a guy whose son played baseball at one such school and he admits they were treated as and felt like second class citizens or neglected redheaded step-children.

We want to build an entire athletic department not just one sport.

[Clutch0364]

How about this name...dan hawkins. He is more than likely on his way out at colorado and look what he did at boise state. Just thinking out loud so tell me what u guys think.
igeaux.mobi

[Turbine]

I would consider hiring the entire McNeese staff. They work together and know the area.

[Hammer58]

_ I would consider hiring the entire McNeese staff. They work together and know the area. _

Yea, that will make a real statement, excite the fan base and get the donations to RCAF pouring in.

[Turbine]

_ Yea, that will make a real statement, excite the fan base and get the donations to RCAF pouring in.

I am afraid of hiring a big name coach beause I don't know if he could function properly on a budget less than he was used to at his last failure of a job.

My criteria:
A head coach at his last stop.
A big winner at his last gig.
Finger on the pulse of who might make good assistants.
An intact staff would be a HUGE plus to hit the ground running.
UL must represent a pay increase over his last stop. Meaning he must appreciate the job.
Must be able to recruit the area.

jmo

[Clutch0364]

_
I am afraid of hiring a big name coach beause I don't know if he could function properly on a budget less than he was used to at his last failure of a job.

My criteria:
A head coach at his last stop.
A big winner at his last gig.
Finger on the pulse of who might make good assistants.
An intact staff would be a HUGE plus to hit the ground running.
UL must represent a pay increase over his last stop. Meaning he must appreciate the job.
Must be able to recruit the area.

jmo _

I agree Turbine...I am not against a name guy but I want the best coach regardless of name.

[CajunRed]

_ Yea, that will make a real statement, excite the fan base and get the donations to RCAF pouring in. _

I ditto that.

[rhineaux]

_ How about this name...dan hawkins. He is more than likely on his way out at colorado and look what he did at boise state. Just thinking out loud so tell me what u guys think.
igeaux.mobi _

Dan Hawkins is interesting (in general, not necessarilly as a potential coach for UL). He DID have success at Boise St, but hasn't had nearly as much at Colorado. I think its hard to put all of the problems at CU on him, though. He got there just as they were having a bunch of problems with the recruiting trip scandal, and the female kicker who was allegedly raped by another player. The recruiting scandal resulted in some tough limitations placed on them by the school. Needless to say, when Hawkins started, he definitely had a lot to overcome. Granted, this is his 4th year and he still hasn't logged a winning season, which is concerning. At the end of the day, though, you can't ignore the fact that he inherited a Boise St program that was on the way up (the exact opposite of the situation at CU), and made it better.

As it relates to a job like UL's, guys like Hawkins are even more interesting. Sometimes these guys will be coming off of these massive buyouts and may not be looking to score as big of a deal with the next job. Sometimes, part of the buyout states that the fired coach retain employment as a HC or Coordinator on the D-1(a) level within one year, and if they do not, then the school no longer owes them anything, which is important (obviously) when a coach is fired with more than one year on his deal. It will also state that when they do find the next job, the buyout payments will be reduced by the amount of the new deal. For example, if a coach gets fired making $400k per year, and his next job pays him $200k per year, then the previous school only owes him the difference between the two, which is $200k. This is how Bustle's contract is worded and its also how John Brady's contract at LSU was written. Some of the bigger coaches, or at least those with bigger salaries, might not have these stipulations, and if they have multiple years left, like Hawkins or Weiss, then something else might be negotiated to reduce the amount of the buyout. Still though, assuming he would want to work immediately, a guy like Hawkins might be looking for a job on a similar level to this one. After being a HC for so long, the idea of being a coordinator may or may not be appealing to him. And, if it's not, then he's likely not going to get much attention from the bigger schools because of his recent past.

By the way, Hawkins first contract at CU was about $650k ($160k base from school + $490k from Radio/TV deal). Now, he is making about $850k and CU is under contract through the 2012 season. Some say the school doesn't have the money...on the game last night, Fowler and the other two were mentioning that the money was being raised.

Either way, I don't expect to see Dan Hawkins in Vermilion and Yellow and Orange and Evangeline next season.

[Turbine]

_ I ditto that. _

Sustained donations will pour in with winning, otherwise it's a wash to accept big donations only to hand them over to a "name" that may not be able to cope.