Short List coaching search

[Reality Check]

I have heard that a name being bantered around a lot in the Athletic Department to replace Lotief is Tim Whitman, former Louisiana College head softball coach and athletic director.

[SlickRick]

In 2009...Whitman is the first from a non-NCAA Division I school to be Louisiana Coach of the Year in softball. He has nearly 300 victories and has won more than 80 percent of his games in eight seasons at Louisiana College. This season Whitman guided the Lady Wildcats to a 38-9 record, a fifth consecutive appearance in an NCAA Division III regional tournament and a No. 1 national ranking for the third straight season.

https://youtu.be/jEpY651sXZ8

[CajunAmos]

In 2009...Whitman is the first from a non-NCAA Division I school to be Louisiana Coach of the Year in softball. He has nearly 300 victories and has won more than 80 percent of his games in eight seasons at Louisiana College. This season Whitman guided the Lady Wildcats to a 38-9 record, a fifth consecutive appearance in an NCAA Division III regional tournament and a No. 1 national ranking for the third straight season.

https://youtu.be/jEpY651sXZ8

Not saying he wouldn't be successful or that he isn't a good coach, but this would not be a hire that would generate enthusiasm from the softball community. My concern would be no experience as a D1 coach and no experience as a recruiter at this level of college softball. To me this would be a hire to downsize. JMO

[Cajun90]

Not saying he wouldn't be successful or that he isn't a good coach, but this would not be a hire that would generate enthusiasm from the softball community. My concern would be no experience as a D1 coach and no experience as a recruiter at this level of college softball. To me this would be a hire to downsize. JMO

Understand your concerns but look at the prior three coaches..... all had a lot less experience than him.

[CajunAmos]

Understand your concerns but look at the prior three coaches..... all had a lot less experience than him.

Yvette's time was an era where only 3-4 SEC teams fielded or funded softball. You had Florida State and South Carolina on the east coast, some central teams (Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas & Texas A&M) and the west coast PAC 10 teams. It was a changing era when Yvette left for LSU and Stefni was selected as coach. BTW, it's also the underlying reason Yvette left for LSU. She wanted to remain as a nationally recognized program, and with a number of P5 schools beginning programs and willing to spend money to build them she knew she needed better funding to continue to go after national recruits. When she started there was no fast pitch in Louisiana (as well as a number of other southern states) and she was able to get west coast recruits to come here because there weren't that many high level D1 programs. She had just started being able to sign some Louisiana players (thanks to Stefni & Mike starting travel ball fast pitch programs which didn't exist before that) so she needed budget which the administration at that time wasn't willing to provide. We do provide more now, but it's still not enough to recruit on a national level. That's why our typical recruiting base is Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and a few from Oklahoma. My understanding is we had some very highly rated east coast and west coast recruits (PAC12 & SEC offers that chose us) lined up for the next 3 years but I don't know how that will play out with the coaching change. I'm hoping they stick with us. Sorry about the ramble.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Understand your concerns but look at the prior three coaches..... all had a lot less experience than him.

First of all, IMO there were two hires. Mike came aboard as an assistant who evolved into co head coach.

More poignant point, softball has evolved into a much bigger sport than when Stefni was hired. Yes we could be that lucky again, but not likely. We’d better make a great hire, or we’ll be spending about the same amount with a much smaller revenue base.

We need a winner who can relate to this fan base.

[cajun_lannister]

First of all, IMO there were two hires. Mike came aboard as an assistant who evolved into co head coach.

More poignant point, softball has evolved into a much bigger sport than when Stefni was hired. Yes we could be that lucky again, but not likely. We’d better make a great hire, or we’ll be spending about the same amount with a much smaller revenue base.

We need a winner who can relate to this fan base.

I'm all for losing most of the die-hard softball fan base most are loons

[CajunEXPRESS]

Totally disagree about demeaning comments you’ve just posted. Still looney, or not the program needs all it’s family.

[CajunT]

Understand your concerns but look at the prior three coaches..... all had a lot less experience than him.

Well let me add this, Whittman resigned from Louisiana College job for family concerns. You can find the write up in the Alexandria Town Talk from 2015. While it the article does not elaborate on his family concerns, he has never coached above that level after winning 300 games. That in my opinion is a red flag. I don't see Whittman as anything better than the coach at LSU-E and if that is the route the proceed on, it certainly doesn't sound like they are serious about maintaining a nationally ranked program.

Now here is some news that might get you and others excited, in spite of my claims that Alyson Habetz would not be interested in the position, UL has been in contact with her and there is said to be some interest from her. Now I'm not saying she will be the next coach, only that they have contacted her and at least that shows they are making an attempt to look at a few quality coaches.

[cajun_lannister]

Totally disagree about demeaning comments you’ve just posted. Still looney, or not the program needs all it’s family.

I will support the program after they filter the ME girls and ME fans .. I was in the stands when we were losing to ULM in the driving rain for football .. I was in the stands after JJ Thomas tried to destroy the Basketball team ..I was in the stands when baseball was an under. 500 team .. I WILL NOT SUPPORT A PROGRAM THAT DOES NOT RESPERT THE NAME ACROSS THE CHEST

[cajun4life]

Mike Candrea! Bring him home. He’s from a New Orleans.

[ManAboutTown]

Damn athletic administration is conducting a professional search and not leaking names. Can't even find out anything at Corner Bar... Crap

Haha!