So am I reading this wrong, or are you saying Crowton is an "icon" like Schnellenberger?
By the way, as far as the rest of the post...not gonna happen.
I have observed a while and listened, I hope I can put in something I heard from a TAF person. I do not know if it is true or even if it is legal within the NCAA guidelines. I only want the UL adminstration to make the best decision for the program going forward because it is the most critical hire at the most critical time in UL history.
The absolute one thing that UL needs to move forward with determined purpose is money. Money for salaries, money for facilities, and money to run a decent athletic program. Where do you start? The state is going to hand down severe budget cuts and no long term contract for any coach can be guaranteed by the state; it will have to come from the private sector of fans and boosters.
What the TAF could offer UL is money and plenty of it! Now, I despise LSU as much as anyone, but give a listen and not a knee jerk reaction. If the big money TAF supporters would guarantee the salary and the contract for the stated term on say, Gary Crowton, then it frees up tremendous potential for UL in the long run. They may even pony up for some stadium improvements, who knows. The proof is the check doesn't bounce. The big money TAF people get rid of a capable OC/QB coach that they want out and the LSU program saves face for the recruiting season. UL gets a quality coach that is now already on the short list to interview and someone who will "mentor" the next UL coach who will be the OC. . .maybe Gunner Brewer. Remember, money is not the issue. . .the future is.
Now, we get a de facto head coach who is just an icon (like FAU did with Schnellenberger) while the real coach learns the system to be ready to take the program in three years. That is exactly what happened to Jimbo Fisher when he left LSU and went to Florida State and not with Nick Saban to Alabama. LSU did the same thing to Bradley Dale Peveto a couple of years ago.
I know this is my first post. I am not trying to be disruptive but thinking a little out of the box. And, it is not my purpose to tick off the faithful but these are extremely difficult economic times for this city, this university, and this program. Would this even be possible?
Gary Crowton's name has not gone away!!
igeaux.mobi