Despair is Destiny

[zeppelincajun]

That’s the danger of hiring “one of us”. McNeese went thru this years back, the Jack Doland mindset, had to hire “one if us”. They sucked across the board for a long time. Which made hiring Viator a head scratcher on the heels of the WW hire.

I was surprised as well by the Viator hire at McNeese. I expected them to go after a young hot shot, possibly with some baggage that had kept others away. Someone who could loosen the purse strings for NIL contributions. I wouldn’t say he was strictly a “one of us” hire for the Cowboys though. He did bring them to their last semblance of success with 4 conference titles, although no playoff victories.

[ZoomZoom]

I was surprised as well by the Viator hire at McNeese. I expected them to go after a young hot shot, possibly with some baggage that had kept others away. Someone who could loosen the purse strings for NIL contributions. I wouldn’t say he was strictly a “one of us” hire for the Cowboys though. He did bring them to their last semblance of success with 4 conference titles, although no playoff victories.

Viator’s predecessor had a team somewhat out of control. McDowell lead the team with unsportsmanlike penalties, but he was far from the only one. McNeese was getting a reputation, and not being a McNeese man, they ran him even though the team vastly improved over the prior winless on the field season.

You are correct, Viator was a surprise hire to a degree. They were thrilled he left, not winning post season had become an issue.

Based on UL’s last 8 quarters, this game next year has gone from a name the score to a must win.

[zeppelincajun]

Viator’s predecessor had a team somewhat out of control. McDowell lead the team with unsportsmanlike penalties, but he was far from the only one. McNeese was getting a reputation, and not being a McNeese man, they ran him even though the team vastly improved over the prior winless on the field season.

You are correct, Viator was a surprise hire to a degree. They were thrilled he left, not winning post season had become an issue.

Based on UL’s last 8 quarters, this game next year has gone from a name the score to a must win.

I noticed the same thing with lack of discipline watching McNeese a couple times this year. As you said with McDowell as the leader in that front. One game I recall they scored a late TD to take a lead and he chucked the ball about 50 yards drawing a penalty that ended up not costing them but could have been huge. I didn’t consider that factor in their decision to release their coach, but that is a good observation.

Any goodwill CMD has built up with the fanbase will go poof if we don’t win that game next year.

[zeppelincajun]

As long as we're in the SBC with low end strength of schedule, its reasonable for the fanbase to expect 10 win seasons, maybe more. Sure we ended the season losing 3 out of 5, but this year's team did outperform preseason expectations. There's no reason to accept backsliding next year. Ragin Cajun fans should expect to compete for G6 CFP berth. Knock that door down!

Personally, I expect CMD to improve every year. That doesn’t necessarily mean that I expect our win total to increase each year. I understand there will be fluctuations depending on the level of experience on each year’s roster. However, given that CMD is in charge of managing and filling that roster, I do think there needs to be some baseline expectation and standard for the program. Losing seasons, in my opinion, should be unacceptable. We had enough talent to win more than 6 games in both seasons prior to this one (especially in 2023) and underperformed. In terms of establishing ourselves as a worthy entertainment option in Acadiana, we need to produce a consistent winner and cannot afford to dip back to 6-7 or worse seasons in our “down” years. Given that our athletic director does not make our head coach play more than 1 P4 game per year and generally schedules to stack wins rather than face the toughest opponent possible week in and week out, 7-8 (I lean more towards 8) wins is reasonable for our program.

[JamesTheJeweler]

I had Meche’s for breakfast.

Lima beans are delicious!

[ZoomZoom]

Lima beans are delicious!

In moderation…

[Turbine]

Lima beans are delicious!

... and good for the heart

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition...eans-nutrition

[cajun4life]

From a football perspective, we had an experienced team this year. The injury situation and portal caused that to be irrelevant yesterday. Next season may not be as successful simply because the experience will be difficult to duplicate. The OL especially concens me. To Fun’s point however, 8 and 4 in 2025 will not necessarily indicate a step backwards due to the youth we may have playing.

Mike, I think we are at a point in football where the floor is 8-4. We’ve recruited well, have some great skill position players and a manageable schedule.

We are a better program, with better facilities than the majority of the SBC.

It’s time the expectations for championships to bot be viewed as too lofty. We are at a point where the question should be who can beat us.

[Clutch0364]

Mike, I think we are at a point in football where the floor is 8-4. We’ve recruited well, have some great skill position players and a manageable schedule.

We are a better program, with better facilities than the majority of the SBC.

It’s time the expectations for championships to bot be viewed as too lofty. We are at a point where the question should be who can beat us.

8-4 should absolutely be the bottom.

[JamesTheJeweler]

... and good for the heart

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition...eans-nutrition

Indeed. And by the way. Released from the hospital yesterday. Angiogram results came back with no blockage. Thank God. Still some issues to figure out. Follow up with cardiologist next week. Thanks everyone for the prayers.