2010 Football Coaching Candidates

[ULGrad@HOU]

The TCU Def coord may not fit the age profile for our Head Coach, but he certainly has an excellent track record. TCU has led the nation in defense the past two years. They compete on a very high level, and they don't have SEC type talent. I like the Boise Off Coord, or the OK State off coord, just to name a few. I would check and see if they have any interest, maybe they do, and maybe not. I would not shy away from including them just because they are Coordinators.

Another point, there aren't any programs below us in FBS. So, we can't hire the guy that took a bad FBS team and showed how he made them great. There aren't any programs that are in a similar situation that we have. We are the bottom. We can only go after FCS head coaches, previous FBS head coaches that were canned for some reason, or Div II head coaches. None of these have our set-up, so it's impossible eliminate the risk.

[rhineaux]

_ The TCU Def coord may not fit the age profile for our Head Coach, but he certainly has an excellent track record. TCU has led the nation in defense the past two years. They compete on a very high level, and they don't have SEC type talent. I like the Boise Off Coord, or the OK State off coord, just to name a few. I would check and see if they have any interest, maybe they do, and maybe not. I would not shy away from including them just because they are Coordinators.

Another point, there aren't any programs below us in FBS. So, we can't hire the guy that took a bad FBS team and showed how he made them great. There aren't any programs that are in a similar situation that we have. We are the bottom. We can only go after FCS head coaches, previous FBS head coaches that were canned for some reason, or Div II head coaches. None of these have our set-up, so it's impossible eliminate the risk. _

Not too big on the Boise guy. First, he's not from the South and is largely unfamiliar with this area, which could hinder recruiting, and maybe even putting together a solid staff. Secondly, his resume isn't large enough. If UL were to go with a Coordinator, I'd rather see that person have multiple stops under various coaching staffs so that he see's multiple approaches to accomplishing things, dealing with issues, etc. While he could probably come to UL and get this offense moving, there would still be a lot more risk with hiring this guy than with other names I've seen.

As for Holgorson, judging from the speed at which he's moving up the ladder, I would imagine that he thinks that a bigger paycheck and a better job is awaiting him in the next couple years.

[HoustonCajun]

_ Not too big on the Boise guy. First, he's not from the South and is largely unfamiliar with this area, which could hinder recruiting, and maybe even putting together a solid staff. Secondly, his resume isn't large enough. If UL were to go with a Coordinator, I'd rather see that person have multiple stops under various coaching staffs so that he see's multiple approaches to accomplishing things, dealing with issues, etc. While he could probably come to UL and get this offense moving, there would still be a lot more risk with hiring this guy than with other names I've seen.

As for Holgorson, judging from the speed at which he's moving up the ladder, I would imagine that he thinks that a bigger paycheck and a better job is awaiting him in the next couple years. _

I wonder how many coaches are looking for a solid program on which to build and a long term stay vs. the quickest jump to a BCS program for the money. Look at what happened to the Boise State coach who left for Colorado. Never could make it work and just got fired. I don't see the current Boise State coach's name flying around for other jobs. The same for basketball with Gonzaga. They are both in great situations and don't need the pressure of a BCS program. IF a coach can come in here and build a program like Fresno State or even Boise State, would that be more attractive than jumping to a school like Cincinnati, for example, just because they are a BCS school. If that coach has trouble winning in a BCS league, he will be fired quickly, thereby hurting his career. That's what happend to UL's women's basketball coach and he wanted back here. Of course, UL MUST provide a better opportunity and a committment to winning and excellence if we are to attract anyone. AND, in doing so, move our program to another level. Right now, that improved level would be winning and dominating the SBC. A longer term goal would be to be in a better conference.

[Turbine]

So many good points being made, I have nothing to add. igeaux.mobi

[IHateLaState]

_ So many good points being made, I have nothing to add. igeaux.mobi _

And after giving it deep consideration, I have nothing to add to yours...lol

[Just1More]

_ Any coach we pick is going to be a cr*p shot. He can be fantastic at one job and fail as our UL coach. It's going to be a gamble. The reason you include coordinators, is because there are some that actually have a proven track record and take their success wherever they are coaching. Different League, but Sean Payton was a coordinator before getting the job as head coach of the Saints. Pelini was a def coord before his success at Nebraska. They all are coordinators at one time or another. This is just to prove that we must keep our options open and look for those innovative kind of guys. I would exclude the Special Team coaches, QB coaches, Asst head coaches or passing coord. coaches too. Really, just the guys in charge of the offense or defense that have obvious above average performance from their unit. _

First of all, NFL competition has no parallel whatsoever to collegiate football. The draft and free agency allows for a constant leveling of the field. We are up against huge budget disparity and no revenue sharing in bowls to speak of. Do you really think it makes no difference that the coordinators mentioned by so many are in large programs? The gift that the next head coach brings UL will not be superior coordinator skills. I can absolutely guarantee you that. If we do grab success at UL... it will be due strictly to the head coach's recognition of what he does and does not have to work with.

I know one specific coordinator's road to success very well... and he has never had the challenge of anything but pure superior talent. He is supreme in the BCS. He is heralded in the BCS. He would fail at UL... I have absolutely no doubt and neither does he.

I never said, "no coordinators". I said be wary of coordinator mania due to their success at programs that do not face critical differences in talent as does UL. It isn't a talent issue at every position. It is a critical difference at certain positions, compared to the FBS opposition, that changes the entire game. These guys have never dealt with talent and depth issues to the extent we do. There are massive differences in very specific continously repeatable positions on the field. I do not believe Bustle failed to do exactly what most of these guys would do. He failed because he approached UL much the same way he understood VT. Most large program coordinators will do that absolute same thing.

[BirdofParadise]

_ I wonder how many coaches are looking for a solid program on which to build and a long term stay vs. the quickest jump to a BCS program for the money. Look at what happened to the Boise State coach who left for Colorado. Never could make it work and just got fired. I don't see the current Boise State coach's name flying around for other jobs. The same for basketball with Gonzaga. They are both in great situations and don't need the pressure of a BCS program. IF a coach can come in here and build a program like Fresno State or even Boise State, would that be more attractive than jumping to a school like Cincinnati, for example, just because they are a BCS school. If that coach has trouble winning in a BCS league, he will be fired quickly, thereby hurting his career. That's what happend to UL's women's basketball coach and he wanted back here. Of course, UL MUST provide a better opportunity and a committment to winning and excellence if we are to attract anyone. AND, in doing so, move our program to another level. Right now, that improved level would be winning and dominating the SBC. A longer term goal would be to be in a better conference. _

Both Peterson and Few are mentioned EVERY TIME a big job opens up. They have both said they like it where they are.

But if either wanted to make a jump to a big school, that job would be their's for the taking.

[Just1More]

_ Don't assume anything my man and don't believe everything you read. Any coach that contacts a university either directly or indirectly through a second party has some interest in the position. For all those that think Coaches are just concerned about salary, might want to consider the areas of future commitments in facilities and scheduling. All are important in considering this job. I can tell you this, there are some people interested in this head coaching position that would surprise the hell out of many. But that doesn't mean they would agree with the facility commitments and future scheduling to accept the position. _

I'm glad to hear about that level of interest. I wonder when Crowton made that interest known... things changed as this season evolved.

I do see the benefits in recruiting and press attention with a "named guy" within the BCS ranks. But, I am very concerned about these guys being successful at UL... as a head coach.

As for facility commitments... do you think this coaching search has required our administration to lay out a timeline for the stadium improvements... or at least the required objectives to get those going?

As a negotiable, I'd give our next coach an "easier" OOC schedule in year 2 or 3 of his program. But, it would come with contract/salary penalties and/or rewards based on the outcome.

[CajunT]

_ I'm glad to hear about that level of interest. I wonder when Crowton made that interest known... things changed as this season evolved.

Recent

I do see the benefits in recruiting and press attention with a "named guy" within the BCS ranks. But, I am very concerned about these guys being successful at UL... as a head coach.

Success varies, at the top BCS schools many athletes go because of the tradition. Not many kids knew Coach Tressel when he arrived at Ohio State. Until he established himself in the Big Ten conference, athletes signed because it was Ohio State. Urbin Meyer wasn?t a household name in Florida, athletes signed because it was Florida. Until a coach makes a names for themselves like a Nick Saban, Joe Paterno, Mack Brown, etc; it helps to have tradition and money. In the SBC athletes sign because of coaches, so it helps to have a recognizable name like Howard Schnellenberger or Stockstill (Florida State). Even Blakeney had a name from his recruiting days at Auburn. And Mario Cristobal recruited Florida at Miami. So most of these programs have coaches from BCS schools that recruited from within the state and had reputations. There is a clear correlation between reputation and success in the Sun Belt Conference.

As for facility commitments... do you think this coaching search has required our administration to lay out a timeline for the stadium improvements... or at least the required objectives to get those going?

We lost coaches the last two hires because of the lack of commitment.

As a negotiable, I'd give our next coach an "easier" OOC schedule in year 2 or 3 of his program. But, it would come with contract/salary penalties and/or rewards based on the outcome. _

Salary, Auto, Housing Income, Incentives based upon Bowls and Championships, coaches show, etc.

[RayneCajun]

I think one of the biggest obstacles for a coach coming here is, will we be able to pay the asst coaches he wants to bring over. If we don't, either he won't come or he will fail no matter who HE is. Just a thought!


GEAUX CJUNS!!!!!!!!

[CajunT]

_ I think one of the biggest obstacles for a coach coming here is, will we be able to pay the asst coaches he wants to bring over. If we don't, either he won't come or he will fail no matter who HE is. Just a thought!


GEAUX CJUNS!!!!!!!! _

The last numbers available from 2009 show UL at the top of the SBC in total salaries for assistants at $832,000.

[VObserver]

Currently UL has the highest payroll in the SBC for football assistants.

I think one of the biggest obstacles for a coach coming here is, will we be able to pay the asst coaches he wants to bring over. If we don't, either he won't come or he will fail no matter who HE is. Just a thought!


GEAUX CJUNS!!!!!!!!

igeaux.mobi