I'm not going to complain too much because I'm tired of complaining, but I haven't been overwhelmed by Skip's job as AD. I didn't like his attitude when we were hiring a new coach. He said something along the lines of "I'm not paying Nick Saban-type money." The baseball program has been fair, the basketball program fair. We lost our track coach. Is he doing a good job?
This was debated on one of the talk shows last week. In all fairness, Skip admitted upfront that there was a learning curve associated with his becoming AD. He confessed that mistakes would be made, but that he would improve. Skip knew that any coach in the post-Saban era would have difficulty stepping up to the plate and achieving what he achieved. His attitude was, why spend big bucks, when I will likely lose the guy. Plus, his favorite, Butch Davis, withdrew from consideration and Spurrier was gone. The well was running dry of top tier coaches worth top tier money. Baseball was a similar situation, although he hand picked his replacement. Not going to get into that, since there is generally enough Snoke bashing in the spring. Basketball likely needs a change, and one is likely coming, but with the major change in football, well, there are only so many irons that can be kept hot at one time. Major facility upgrades are/were taking place. The Tradition Fund was established for another revenue stream. There's a lot more going on behind the scenes that Skip is involved in. While his tenure to date hasn't been magnanimous, I believe that his efforts to upgrade facilities will help him leave his legacy as AD. We all know what is baseball legacy is.
yeah no kidding. nothing like a change of heart to something positive immediately after his renaissance
Baseball team just missing a trip to Omaha this year, back to back trips in the previous 2 years....only 8 teams make it that far... meaning over 100 schools are envious of that position. Remember Skip didn't win it all every year he was here. I think Smoke can take this team to the promissed land, he just need a little more Omaha experience. He'll figure it out just like Skip did. And what Brady's done with the basketball team, considering its the third wheel sport and was under sanctions, is pretty remarkable. Add in the fact that the football team is 10-1 and competeing for the confrence crown, and our Lady Tigers are top 5 in basketball, I'd say Skip gets an A. Not many schools can brag about the overall success LSU sports have had during his watch.
He has been good. Right now, LSU has one of the best athletic programs in the country. You people act as if there are so many great coaches out there & LSU is just hiring crappy ones. The truth is, maybe 2% of the coaches in the league at any given time are great. The rest are okay with varying degrees of success based on other things like which program they are at, their assistants & recruiting abilities. At this point in time, LSU might not have any great coaches. Not long ago we had a great track coach & a great baseball coach. Both were the best in the country at what they did. Bertman's philsophy appears to be: hire good coaches that hire capable staffs & recruit well, and they will be good. Once they prove they can be great, their salary will reflect it. LSU is focusing the money on facilities, rather than salaries. I can't really argue with it because LSU's facilities have needed to be improved for a very long time.
:grin: I just had to get this last thing out of my system. I think I'm cured of my negativity from this point on.:thumb: I feel like a new man. We've got some good posters here, I'm glad this site is around.:yelwink2:
