Napier Shooting straight

[CajunT]

I'll stir the pot a little bit.

It is hard to overstate just how big of an impact Coach Hud had in getting fans into the stadium and getting people to buy in to the program. As good as Napier seems to be as a coach, this is one area he is lacking in. When Hud got here, he gave people (even the casual fans) a reason to invest their time and money into the program. People didn't just show up because they thought they'd have a good time. It was more than that. They showed up because they felt obligated to. They bought in to the dream. Hud made them feel like a necessary and vital part of the team. And they felt like supporting this team mattered — that the team's success would pay off for themselves, this city, and the University.

Hold the rope. Never let go. Pull in the same direction. It was brilliant.

We've talked a lot about why attendance has been low. But even if we make meaningful changes and start winning we might not ever get to Hud attendance levels again unless Napier can take a page out of Hud's book and realize he is THE guy who needs to make a hard pitch to the community to buy in again. In G5 college football, it is not enough to just be a good football coach.

I had the same conversation with a friend over lunch earlier this week. I agree Hudspeth was great at firing students as well supporters up about the program. His charisma was also very effective in helping raise funds for facilities and RCAF. Some people have a gift for that sort of thing and others do not. I don't believe Coach Napier would come off the same way to students because it would be unnatural for him.

Coach Napier is a motivator to his athletes through a process that focuses on working hard daily and building trust with them through his actions and that of his staff. The students don't have that relationship with Napier because they don't see or hear him daily, they are not part of the process.

I'm willing to give it a shot, but I don't think it will help much right now. I think winning and creating their own traditions will help get the students back in the stands.

[anhil8tor]

We have to attract the marginal fan. As said before... we need to win. We also need to price our product accordingly. Tickets and concessions are hurting our attendance. There aren't enough people in the stands to warrant our pricing. Take the student side and sell those seats at a price that people can't pass up. Give them a concession voucher at a reasonable price. Make those borderline fans come back. Whatever it is.. make it happen. Fill that side of the stadium.

[CajunRebel]

Napier needs to keep doing what he’s doing now. Build a solid foundation and keep winning.

Hud was here for the race. Napier is a marathon man.

I don’t see why it has to be either/or. He can do both.

[cajun_lannister]

I don't see why it has to be either/or. He can do both.

Its like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole if Napier tried to Ra Ra like Hud it would feel forced.

Just imagine Bustle trying to give the hold the rope speech

[Ragin9221]

Never put my faith in a coach, but I think we need to extend his contract by 2 yrs and raise his salary to 1.5 million a year we need to make it happen he is the man I want running this program. His view about improving this team and his view on attendance has me thinking he is the right man for the job!!

We need to show how much faith that he can get this program turned around, and change the culture here in making Louisiana a household name.

I don’t think this will be the HUD situation all over again.

[CajunRebel]

We won't see those average for a awhile a good amount of fans are still ____ed at the univ from the previous coaching staff and Administration which will take time to heal.

Napier should not have to worry about that he just has to focus on winning we have people hired to handle fan support.

I disagree. One of the things I remember Mike Alden talking about was how in college football your coach is THE face of the program. He is the name everyone knows, the one the media want to hear speak, the one everyone talks about, the one who inspires the boosters to donate, and the one who motivates fans to show up.

To a large extent, the people in charge of fan support can only work with what the coach gives them. Napier bears a large part of the responsibility to get people in the stadium on game day.

[CajunRebel]

Its like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole if Napier tried to Ra Ra like Hud it would feel forced.

Just imagine Bustle trying to give the hold the rope speech

I get it. I’m not asking Napier to be anything other than himself. If the man can find a way to motivate his players to buy in without the rah rah, I’m confident he can do the same with us.

[ManAboutTown]

I’ll stir the pot a little bit.

It is hard to overstate just how big of an impact Coach Hud had in getting fans into the stadium and getting people to buy in to the program. As good as Napier seems to be as a coach, this is one area he is lacking in. When Hud got here, he gave people (even the casual fans) a reason to invest their time and money into the program. People didn’t just show up because they thought they’d have a good time. It was more than that. They showed up because they felt obligated to. They bought in to the dream. Hud made them feel like a necessary and vital part of the team. And they felt like supporting this team mattered — that the team’s success would pay off for themselves, this city, and the University.

Hold the rope. Never let go. Pull in the same direction. It was brilliant.

We’ve talked a lot about why attendance has been low. But even if we make meaningful changes and start winning we might not ever get to Hud attendance levels again unless Napier can take a page out of Hud’s book and realize he is THE guy who needs to make a hard pitch to the community to buy in again. In G5 college football, it is not enough to just be a good football coach.

As per usual, you’re wrong.

[Frenchie35]

Tonight Billy Napier addressed the attendance woes. Saturday UL "placed" a season low 17,068 fans in the stadium. Coach spoke for several minutes on the topic hitting many of the usual talking points, but also shouldering some of the blame. pic.twitter.com/sn4B9CQBQE

— Andrew Clay (@AndrewClayTV) November 1, 2018

The video will not open. Is it because of the browser I'm using? Maybe only Google will open it. I'm using IE.

[tdncz]

I’ll stir the pot a little bit.

It is hard to overstate just how big of an impact Coach Hud had in getting fans into the stadium and getting people to buy in to the program. As good as Napier seems to be as a coach, this is one area he is lacking in. When Hud got here, he gave people (even the casual fans) a reason to invest their time and money into the program. People didn’t just show up because they thought they’d have a good time. It was more than that. They showed up because they felt obligated to. They bought in to the dream. Hud made them feel like a necessary and vital part of the team. And they felt like supporting this team mattered — that the team’s success would pay off for themselves, this city, and the University.

Hold the rope. Never let go. Pull in the same direction. It was brilliant.

We’ve talked a lot about why attendance has been low. But even if we make meaningful changes and start winning we might not ever get to Hud attendance levels again unless Napier can take a page out of Hud’s book and realize he is THE guy who needs to make a hard pitch to the community to buy in again. In G5 college football, it is not enough to just be a good football coach.

This is SPOT. ON!
I too have been Hard on Hud.
But after reading your Post, you are ABSOLUTELY correct.
When Hud came here, he cheer led the H#LL out the program and was absolutely instrumental in getting the fan base in their required seats.
In fact, I remember a statement he made in one of his first press conferences was that a PRIMARY JOB - as the Coach - was to get Butts in Seats.

[CharlieK]

I’ll stir the pot a little bit.

It is hard to overstate just how big of an impact Coach Hud had in getting fans into the stadium and getting people to buy in to the program. As good as Napier seems to be as a coach, this is one area he is lacking in. When Hud got here, he gave people (even the casual fans) a reason to invest their time and money into the program. People didn’t just show up because they thought they’d have a good time. It was more than that. They showed up because they felt obligated to. They bought in to the dream. Hud made them feel like a necessary and vital part of the team. And they felt like supporting this team mattered — that the team’s success would pay off for themselves, this city, and the University.

Hold the rope. Never let go. Pull in the same direction. It was brilliant.

We’ve talked a lot about why attendance has been low. But even if we make meaningful changes and start winning we might not ever get to Hud attendance levels again unless Napier can take a page out of Hud’s book and realize he is THE guy who needs to make a hard pitch to the community to buy in again. In G5 college football, it is not enough to just be a good football coach.

Hud's was a big fancy house built on sand. Napier is laying the proper foundation. When his house goes up, it will last.

[covcaj]

Never put my faith in a coach, but I think we need to extend his contract by 2 yrs and raise his salary to 1.5 million a year we need to make it happen he is the man I want running this program. His view about improving this team and his view on attendance has me thinking he is the right man for the job!!

We need to show how much faith that he can get this program turned around, and change the culture here in making Louisiana a household name.

I don’t think this will be the HUD all over again.

While I understand your sentiments, I believe it is too early to do that and wouldn't do anything to keep him, anyway. I can't imagine Napier going to anything other than, at the least, a top AAC or MWC school. Any school at that level, and any P5 school in which he might be interested, can easily outbid Louisiana in terms of salary. Presuming he is ambitious and wants to eventually coach at a school that can contend for an NC, he will be gone if successful. If he is successful, and by that I mean at least a couple of ten win seasons and knocking off a P5 or two, there is little we could do to retain him if he is offered the right position. The good news is, I believe we have him for at least two more years.