HBU Game

[mike1980]

I am really glad we won last night, but we have a long way to go before we win our conference. After watching that game along with some other conference games, we do not have the talent it takes to win the Southland. We should have blown HBU out of the water. We need to go out and hire a head coach that has strong recruiting ties to Louisiana and the South. Someone who understands how to build a roster that can compete. Our administration should look at the top assistant head coaches and recruiting coordinators in this state and interview them. Two great examples: Tim Leger at ULM and Reed Stringer at ULL. Leger is a Louisiana native with strong recruiting ties to the entire state. Stringer has been an Assistant HC at ULL and Mississippi State and built a team that has led ULL to 5 bowl games in 6 years. Both men are going to be head coaches at this level. Our administration has to realize its about building a roster that can compete. In order to build a great roster, we need to go hire a head coach who can recruit the talent it takes to win the Southland.

[88demon62]

While I couldn't agree with you more, the "box" that Burke used to make the last 2 coaching hires remain intact. Because of either finances or apathy (I say both) by the university I think Brad Liard is probably going to be the next head coach. I was told it was written in his contract. So while thinking outside the box is what we need the box that Burke uses to think in (which should get thrown out along with Burke & Thomas's job) will stay. If Tim Rebowe can turn around Nichols program in 3 years recruiting New Orleans area talent it maybe possible(if Liard is the next head coach)the Demons can be competitive next year with the right JUCO talent at the right positions & a concerted push to recruit the New Orleans area which I think has the most talent in the state. There hasn't been a coach since Stoker that recruited New Orleans and Stoker stopped halfway through his tenure and it showed at the end of his time at NSU. This season was a waste, the fans, the team & especially the seniors got screwed.

[Patrick]

If you want to say that NSU doesn't have the talent to compete (despite leading Nicholls and Sam Houston late) that's fine, but it has nothing to do with a lack of Louisiana players or coaches with ties to Louisiana. Jay Thomas is from Baker, La and has coached most of his career in La. The Demons sport 55 players from Louisiana. Now, if they aren't the right 55, so be it. But NSU doesn't lack for Louisiana ties.

[88demon62]

I counted 58 players from Louisiana on the roster and yes, its not the right 58. I see alot of those players coming from the Baton Rouge area (where Coach Thomas is from), and it hasn't helped either. Comes down to effective recruiting (& not relying on JUCO's year after year like Thomas). Most of Louisiana's population is along the I-10 corridor, more people, more football, more potential players. There hasn't been a fulltime recruiter in south Louisiana since Peveto during Goodwin's tenure in the mid to late 90's (or at least an effective one like Peveto). Before that it was Kaufman in the mid 80's and Stoker only for his first 3 years. Talent at the skilled positions is better in the New Orleans area than other areas of the state. Competent coaching can overcome talent deficencies at some positions, mental toughness can cover the rest and if the next HC can do that, we may be competitive next year.

[Cajundemon11]

I'm personally tired of the narrative that we have to hire a "Louisiana guy" who has ties to the state. As if someone who comes from a different part of the country would be unsuccessful because Louisiana is so unique in relating to kids when you recruit here. I get it, Louisiana per capita has the most talent of any state in the country, but there are also 11 division 1 football programs in a pretty small state with a school in almost every decent sized city. The best quarterback we've had in the past 15 years was from Los Angeles. Who gives a shit if a coach doesn't know Louisiana but knows how to win? We've done the "louisiana" thing for the past 3 hires. I don't give a rip if every kid on our roster is from Alaska, I just want to win some damn football games.

[88demon62]

Bottom line is wins and a competitive program but, when you don't have enough money in your budget to pay out a coach you should have fired last year I don't see a recruiting budget to recruit Alaska football players. Our AD, if the rumors are true and already has the next HC picked that is on the present staff has got to be the laziest or most incompetent AD in the Southland. If you think a coach from anywhere USA can come in here and coach this team to be competitive from year one without immediate help playerwise they are only fooling the AD, which has happened the last 2 hires. Whoever is the next HC better hire a coach/recruiter that knows the recruiting landscape in the state and can recruit the right JUCO talent to help right away. Don't care how good of a coaching staff you assemble, can't make chicken salad out of chicken shit and this team needs a talent upgrade at the skill positions and a toughness upgrade teamwide. I'm not opposed to hiring an out of state coach, I just happen to agree with the mike1980 dude that recruiting and the mental toughness has to improve to give the next coach a chance at success and it can come from assistants in other state programs that know the states high school football talent.

[canesfan]

SLU coach is from California and he recruits in the south, and everywhere else just fine.

[88demon62]

Yes they do, half their roster is California JUCO talent, very effective. Ron Roberts knows California, jay Thomas doesn't know Louisiana. Ron Roberts is a good head coach, jay Thomas is a good person. I wish coach Thomas well in his future.