Louisiana College Sports: Hustle out of town for Bustle?

[lcitsh]

_ It seems like we do this year after year. Many people feel that the time is now to move on and bring in another coach to lead this program. Others tend to think that we certainly can get no better than what we have now, we are a coaching graveyard, our win cap is 6 etc...For those two schools of thought, there are certain facts that are present and will remain in place. First, Bustle did elevate the program to a level that is higher than what it was when he got here. Some disagree but they are wrong. Six wins around here is getting a coach fired. Ten years ago, I think any fan out there would have given up a limb to see a 6 win cajun team. The program is now at a point that we are planning expansion on stadiums, we have field turf, and indoor practice facility etc... The program is better off. Second, a change is being made. If you do not believe this and feel that this program is still operating from the depths of Dr. A's tenure, there's not much anyone out there can say or do to make you change your mind and you likely live a pretty miserable life. The fact is, a change will be made in about 11 solid days and this university will have the funds, even in budget cuts and economic downturns to pay the new coach and his staff more than any other team in the SBC even though we rank less than halfway in athletic budget funds. With the ability to pay the new coach the amount we are willing to, we will attract some quality candidates. Who we hire and who we interview will not be known for a little bit but I can assure you that the program is moving forward. Now, only if some of our fans would do the same...... _

100% totally accurate, on all points.

[Turbine]

_ At the end Coach Stokely had zero recruiting budget. Admittedly that is attributable to the administration and not him. coach Bustle has been operating under more resources so the cupboard is not as bare. As it is we have six commitments for next year right now. _

No recruiting budget is bad, it would take a serious situation for a former AD to let that slide. It took some kind of mental toughness to withstand the rigors of demanding a recruiting budget with Authement.

Did Baldwin get the recruiting budget Stokley lacked?

[Hammer58]

_ No recruiting budget is bad, it would take a serious situation for a former AD to let that slide. It took some kind of mental toughness to withstand the rigors of demanding a recruiting budget with Authement.

Did Baldwin get the recruiting budget Stokley lacked? _

I believe he did. I never heard any complaints during the Baldwin years of having his recruiting budget cut, His problem was in recruiting too many talented athletes who never saw the field because they cold not cut it in the classroom. Hence when Bustle go there we did not even have our full allotment of 85 scholarship players on the roster.

[lcitsh]

_ The athletic department has a list of prospective coaches in all sports. They do this in order to expedite the hiring process in order to not take a catastrophic hit in recruiting.

They have a list for football, m&w basketball, baseball, and softball too. It is always good to have a short list of guys that meet the search criteria just in case.

I also believe that prior to the season starting the administration had informed Coach Bustle that it would take a winning season or bowl game in order to be retained as HC. As soon as those two goal were no longer attainable the search process started IMO. If that is the case, which I think it is, the athletic department has been gauging interest from potential candidates and began to vet them against their search criteria. I would think that it is safe to say the athletic department has 7 or 8 candidates already lined up to formally interview beginning next Tuesday. _

Mostly correct, but a little bit incomplete. The info in your first two paragraphs is right. The admin did not make specific demands in regards as to what was needed to be done for this season, but the restructuring of the buy-out clause was part of the expectation explanation for this season. The search actually began after the WKU loss. Ricky was informed then that he would not be brought back for next season, he informed his coaches and I'm sure the players were informed soon after that.
The same process used to find Robert's replacement is being utilized for the next head football coach. The AD has contacted that firm (I don't know the name), they are searching and have received interest from more than a few people. The AD will begin actual interviews once there is an opening.

[Zeebart21]

_ Mostly correct, but a little bit incomplete. The info in your first two paragraphs is right. The admin did not make specific demands in regards as to what was needed to be done for this season, but the restructuring of the buy-out clause was part of the expectation explanation for this season. The search actually began after the WKU loss. Ricky was informed then that he would not be brought back for next season, he informed his coaches and I'm sure the players were informed soon after that.
The same process used to find Robert's replacement is being utilized for the next head football coach. The AD has contacted that firm (I don't know the name), they are searching and have received interest from more than a few people. The AD will begin actual interviews once there is an opening. _

false.

[Turbine]

_ I believe he did. I never heard any complaints during the Baldwin years of having his recruiting budget cut, His problem was in recruiting too many talented athletes who never saw the field because they cold not cut it in the classroom. Hence when Bustle go there we did not even have our full allotment of 85 scholarship players on the roster. _

The number I have heard on Baldwin was him leaving Bustle 15 players below scholarship.

Bustle's biggest mistake he ever made was in year one and it was his failure to capitalize on the #1 recruiting tool he would ever have.

In year one he was a big name hire, with ZERO losing seasons under his belt, yet he only signed 17 players. He would never have that kind of recruiting power again.

[Cajunsmike]

_ That would be grounds for a lawsuit. _

It would not be grounds for a lawsuit if you informed the current coach you were beginning a search prior to doing so. What is said privately between the administration and staff is something we are not always privy to.