Napier Shooting straight

[Million$Mullet]

I’ll stir the pot a little bit.

It is hard to overstate just how big of an impact Coach Hud had in getting fans into the stadium and getting people to buy in to the program. As good as Napier seems to be as a coach, this is one area he is lacking in. When Hud got here, he gave people (even the casual fans) a reason to invest their time and money into the program. People didn’t just show up because they thought they’d have a good time. It was more than that. They showed up because they felt obligated to. They bought in to the dream. Hud made them feel like a necessary and vital part of the team. And they felt like supporting this team mattered — that the team’s success would pay off for themselves, this city, and the University.

Hold the rope. Never let go. Pull in the same direction. It was brilliant.

We’ve talked a lot about why attendance has been low. But even if we make meaningful changes and start winning we might not ever get to Hud attendance levels again unless Napier can take a page out of Hud’s book and realize he is THE guy who needs to make a hard pitch to the community to buy in again. In G5 college football, it is not enough to just be a good football coach.

Napier needs to keep doing what he’s doing now. Build a solid foundation and keep winning.

Hud was here for the race. Napier is a marathon man.

[CajunJeaux]

Napier needs to keep doing what he’s doing now. Build a solid foundation and keep winning.

Hud was here for the race. Napier is a marathon man.

Bingo...the cheerleader role was cool & productive at first...you eventually have to lead and coach.

[CajunVic]

I’ll stir the pot a little bit.

It is hard to overstate just how big of an impact Coach Hud had in getting fans into the stadium and getting people to buy in to the program. As good as Napier seems to be as a coach, this is one area he is lacking in. When Hud got here, he gave people (even the casual fans) a reason to invest their time and money into the program. People didn’t just show up because they thought they’d have a good time. It was more than that. They showed up because they felt obligated to. They bought in to the dream. Hud made them feel like a necessary and vital part of the team. And they felt like supporting this team mattered — that the team’s success would pay off for themselves, this city, and the University.

Hold the rope. Never let go. Pull in the same direction. It was brilliant.

We’ve talked a lot about why attendance has been low. But even if we make meaningful changes and start winning we might not ever get to Hud attendance levels again unless Napier can take a page out of Hud’s book and realize he is THE guy who needs to make a hard pitch to the community to buy in again. In G5 college football, it is not enough to just be a good football coach.

There is no doubt that you have something here, something really big. HUD portrayed Cajun Football and the University as bigger than life and took the time and made the effort to get buyin from all that he came into contact with, whether it be one on one, in a small group, before the quarter back club or before the media. I've been hard on where HUD ended his career here, but from the beginning until trouble started, he had this right - he had this right biggly.

If Nape does not find a way to take some of this page from the HUD play book, he may never get the buyin that HUD got, no matter the results. To survive in G5, the head coach has to be much more than just the head coach. It just is what it is.

[cajun_lannister]

I'll stir the pot a little bit.

It is hard to overstate just how big of an impact Coach Hud had in getting fans into the stadium and getting people to buy in to the program. As good as Napier seems to be as a coach, this is one area he is lacking in. When Hud got here, he gave people (even the casual fans) a reason to invest their time and money into the program. People didn't just show up because they thought they'd have a good time. It was more than that. They showed up because they felt obligated to. They bought in to the dream. Hud made them feel like a necessary and vital part of the team. And they felt like supporting this team mattered — that the team's success would pay off for themselves, this city, and the University.

Hold the rope. Never let go. Pull in the same direction. It was brilliant.

We've talked a lot about why attendance has been low. But even if we make meaningful changes and start winning we might not ever get to Hud attendance levels again unless Napier can take a page out of Hud's book and realize he is THE guy who needs to make a hard pitch to the community to buy in again. In G5 college football, it is not enough to just be a good football coach.

We won't see those average for a awhile a good amount of fans are still ____ed at the univ from the previous coaching staff and Administration which will take time to heal.

Napier should not have to worry about that he just has to focus on winning we have people hired to handle fan support.

[CajunVic]

Bingo...the cheerleader role was cool & productive at first...you eventually have to lead and coach.

ACT probation, 13 arrested, f DT video (especially when the cheer leader changed the cheers to addresses down almost every single donor in favor of the video) combined with poor performance on the field - no cheerleader regardless of how charismatic, can survive. He didn't.

[CajunVic]

. . .we have people hired to handle fan support.

And right now, those have the ire of the casual fan which we need to develop to get to the desired levels.

Don't fool yourself, if this is going to get done, the G5 coach will need to help.

Also, right now, many of those that HUD got to buyin are still buying, but they are not going to the games. We need help from the coach to get this group interested again and thereby attending.

[CajunT]

I'll stir the pot a little bit.

It is hard to overstate just how big of an impact Coach Hud had in getting fans into the stadium and getting people to buy in to the program. As good as Napier seems to be as a coach, this is one area he is lacking in. When Hud got here, he gave people (even the casual fans) a reason to invest their time and money into the program. People didn't just show up because they thought they'd have a good time. It was more than that. They showed up because they felt obligated to. They bought in to the dream. Hud made them feel like a necessary and vital part of the team. And they felt like supporting this team mattered — that the team's success would pay off for themselves, this city, and the University.

Hold the rope. Never let go. Pull in the same direction. It was brilliant.

We've talked a lot about why attendance has been low. But even if we make meaningful changes and start winning we might not ever get to Hud attendance levels again unless Napier can take a page out of Hud's book and realize he is THE guy who needs to make a hard pitch to the community to buy in again. In G5 college football, it is not enough to just be a good football coach.

I had the same conversation with a friend over lunch earlier this week. I agree Hudspeth was great at firing students as well supporters up about the program. His charisma was also very effective in helping raise funds for facilities and RCAF. Some people have a gift for that sort of thing and others do not. I don't believe Coach Napier would come off the same way to students because it would be unnatural for him.

Coach Napier is a motivator to his athletes through a process that focuses on working hard daily and building trust with them through his actions and that of his staff. The students don't have that relationship with Napier because they don't see or hear him daily, they are not part of the process.

I'm willing to give it a shot, but I don't think it will help much right now. I think winning and creating their own traditions will help get the students back in the stands.

[anhil8tor]

We have to attract the marginal fan. As said before... we need to win. We also need to price our product accordingly. Tickets and concessions are hurting our attendance. There aren't enough people in the stands to warrant our pricing. Take the student side and sell those seats at a price that people can't pass up. Give them a concession voucher at a reasonable price. Make those borderline fans come back. Whatever it is.. make it happen. Fill that side of the stadium.

[CajunRebel]

Napier needs to keep doing what he’s doing now. Build a solid foundation and keep winning.

Hud was here for the race. Napier is a marathon man.

I don’t see why it has to be either/or. He can do both.

[cajun_lannister]

I don't see why it has to be either/or. He can do both.

Its like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole if Napier tried to Ra Ra like Hud it would feel forced.

Just imagine Bustle trying to give the hold the rope speech