J. Kelley Hall, UL to talk contract

[CDeb]

The women's basketball coach doesn't have a contract. Every employee of the athletic department, save the head football and men's basketball coaches, are at will employees and are rehired every year.

[CajunCharlie]

Didn't realize that the women's BB coach did not have a contract. Maybe it is time to do so.

[NewsCopy]

A record-shattering campaign achieved in a mostly tradition-free environment has put Louisiana's Ragin' Cajun women's basketball coach J. Kelley Hall in the spotlight.

That's what happens when your team finishes with a 22-9 record, a perfect 13-0 home mark, the Sun Belt Conference Western Division title, the first two UL wins in Sun Belt Tournament history and a berth in the league's championship game.

Whether the University can keep him will be determined by attention shown by other schools and discussions in the near future between Hall and Athletic Director Nelson Schexnayder.

"As many people in this business have done, I've hired an agent," said Hall, who stands 43-43 after three years of building the Cajun program. "His name is John Meadows, from Boulder, Colorado, and I've put it in his hands.

"I think the University will do the right thing, and my wife (assistant coach Meredith Hall) and I would like to stay here. We own a home, and our daughters were born here.

"I spoke with Nelson last spring, and we didn't quite get it done."

The rest of the story

Bruce Brown
bbrown@theadvertiser.com

[RedBug58]

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[studentfan]

We need to sign him to a 6 year deal or longer if we can. I think he'll take this program to the next level (a higher level than right now). Which would be amazing considering the condition it was in 3 years ago!

[RaginFan2]

I was/am very concerned about losing him after the amazing job he and his staff have done in 3 years. Of course, you don't get coaches leaving to go to other programs if they don't bring success to your school. The one that really concerns me is the Oklahoma State program. I saw that they fired their WBB coach. OSU seem to have had some connections to UL in the recent past. So it wouldn't surprise me if they come knocking for Coach Hall. I hope we are able to offer him enough to stay on board for at least a few more years to really establish the program. As much success as he has had the past year or 2, I think it would fall apart quickly if he left right now. I would like to see him stay for at least another 5 or 6 years (if not much, much longer!) to really establish the program for greater continuity.

[CajunRebel]

It surprised me that almost every coach (including coach Hall) was hired on a yearly basis. Im sure with hiring practices like that it's hard to get anyone good to come and coach. Personally, I would like more job security.

[shof]

I saw the OSU firing and wondered if Hall would be contacted. Surely they know what he has done here in such a short time. Note to Nelson.....get this done ASAP! It's more important than being in Nashville. Smart programs take care of their shining stars. Look at aTm, they got Gillespie from UTEP, gave him a darn good salary (around $650K) and are already looking to improve that number to make him more in line with the rest of the Big 12. Lets lock up Hall now for the next 3-6 years and let him build a consistent winner on the ladies side.

[headragincajun]

To all our fans and supporters. Thanks for all your support. My wife and I hope to get this done Quick. WE LOVE LAFAYETTE. Look forward to many GREAT YEARS here @ U OF L. Come back next year and you will see more of the same. CHAMPIONSHIPS.
HEADRAGINCAJUN

[BonCajun]

Thanks coach I think I am going to explode with joy.

[NOCajun]

Nelson and Ray better not EVEN THINK about letting J. Kelly Hall go!!!

[TheRaginTruth]

J Kelley Hall and his staff can take this program to an even higher level!! Let's make sure he stays!!!!