[Wvflame2013]

I was told a couple months ago that Jeff's contract ended earlier this year and Jerry refused to extend it. They were essentially going month to month. I never got that confirmed from a second source so I never mentioned it on here.

It should also be known Jeff and Jerry didn't have the best relationship. Jerry wanted people to know he was the reason for our success in athletics and not Jeff.

Whether you liked Jeff or not, what's about to happen is scary for our athletics programs on multiple levels.

There is a John Wooden quote that says "It is amazing how much can be done if nobody cares who gets the credit" Maybe that's why we have underachieved

If success in athletics is measured in facilities and budgets, JLFJR and whoever is most responsible for the growth of LOI get the kudos

Very true, JR has a big state in bringing the programs along with the money he has invested in buildings and such. Money can only take programs so far. It takes AD and those he appoints to take the next step.

[TerraCottaGamer]

I'm not sure what to make of this other than Turner Gill has likely coached his last game on the Liberty sideline. Up until this year, I have admittedly not followed LU sports particularly close due to living in China for that past 10 years. But my overall impression is, that with the big three sports, LU has been in decline. Two disappointing years in a row in football. The same or more with baseball. And basketball, while back on the rise (and looking good against VCU), has basically been treading water over the last decade. Again, this is all my opinion from afar.

So while club sports, and other lesser sports (for lack of a better word) are really strong, LU has regressed in the big three. Thus it is easy to see why this guy would be canned.

As for the whole "Jerry want's control" thing....I don't buy it. I see Jerry as a semi disinterested party when it comes to athletics except in how it can make money and increase the school's national profile.

[Jonathan Carone]

There may be a reason this happened today and not next week. I'm waiting for a couple different confirmations before I mention the exact reason. What I'm hearing is this was going to happen regardless, but the timing may have been forced.

[FlamesHighontheTide]

Wow, I am hoping this resignation and other news that has not been released yet possibly concerning Gill and the coaching staff will fire up our boys to scorch Coastal!

Does anyone else think that Jerry Jr. has a Jerry Jones concept on micro-managing everything?

I can't imagine how frustrated and even hurt that the Barber's are now. Jeff has made some critical hires for our university since he has been here as well as make the tough decisions to fire some too. Recently, the hires of Dot Richardson, Scott Jackson(I know he has yet to coach a game, but I am drinking the Kool-aid on him.) and getting Ritchie McKay back was HUGE!

[flamehunter]

This stinks. JB was exactly what we needed IMHO. I know he'll land on his feet somewhere but I can't help but think this sets LU Athletics back a couple years. Hope I'm wrong.

[Purple Haize]

So is a FB Coach or AD hired first?

[Jonathan Carone]

As for the whole "Jerry want's control" thing....I don't buy it. I see Jerry as a semi disinterested party when it comes to athletics except in how it can make money and increase the school's national profile.

He's publicly hands off once he gets his guys in place. If you've watched the last couple years (which you've been in China so you likely haven't seen it), Jerry has slowly replaced the old guard with his guys. His guys are all paid extremely well (over six figures) and run out what he wants done. It's the classic top down leadership approach where the CEO dictates what goes on and the VPs get it done. Jeff was the only VP in place that wasn't hand picked by Jerry.

Someone mentioned Jerry Jones - that's a great comparison.

[VAGolf]

I wonder if Jay transfers

[Jonathan Carone]

So is a FB Coach or AD hired first?

If it's not the AD, I feel sorry for the coach.

If it's not the coach, I feel sorry for the fans.

[olldflame]

So is a FB Coach or AD hired first?

Normally that would be the AD, but if in fact JFLJR is in micro-manage mode, he may want to hire the coach first

[rmiller1959]

Would it shock anyone if the new coach was Art Briles?

[VAGolf]

Would it shock anyone if the new coach was Art Briles?

I will not attend a Liberty football game if he is named the head coach. Keep him out of Lynchburg.

[rmiller1959]

So is a FB Coach or AD hired first?

If it's not the AD, I feel sorry for the coach.

If it's not the coach, I feel sorry for the fans.

With all the construction projects and ongoing athletic schedules, is there enough of a staff presence to keep things going while he appoints a new AD?

[olldflame]

Would it shock anyone if the new coach was Art Briles?

Yes Not saying it's out of the question JR would talk to him about it, but I think Art will have more attractive options, if not in college, in the NFL

[rmiller1959]

Would it shock anyone if the new coach was Art Briles?

I will not attend a Liberty football game if he is named the head coach. Keep him out of Lynchburg.

I don't think it would be good for our program or our university, but if I'm Coach Briles' agent and an opening transpires here, I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't reach out.

[Jonathan Carone]

Would it shock anyone if the new coach was Art Briles?

Given the situation with our sexual assaults this year, yes.

[VAGolf]

Would it shock anyone if the new coach was Art Briles?

Yes Not saying it's out of the question JR would talk to him about it, but I think Art will have more attractive options, if not in college, in the NFL

Or ya know, a few months after we have multiple players suspended to sexual assault allegations, we're trying to hire the coach behind one of the biggest scandals in college football history? I'm sure that will go over real well.

[rmiller1959]

Would it shock anyone if the new coach was Art Briles?

Given the situation with our sexual assaults this year, yes.

Good point.

[Purple Haize]

So is a FB Coach or AD hired first?

If it's not the AD, I feel sorry for the coach.

If it's not the coach, I feel sorry for the fans.

With all the construction projects and ongoing athletic schedules, is there enough of a staff presence to keep things going while he appoints a new AD?

There is a certain someone who has been the power behind the throne for years. They make sure 'the trains run on time' etc. He is excellent at his job and it would be a greater concern if HE was gone than the AD

[thepostman]

I don't think forcing Jeff out was the right move but I'm not shocked by it. Like someone else said the major sports have trended downward and the goal of FBS was not accomplished in 10 years. There are plenty of reasons why the FBS thing didn't happen but the fact remains it didn't.

I don't like it but I understand it. With that said I have zero trust that Jerry will make a good hire.

[Jonathan Carone]

So is a FB Coach or AD hired first?

If it's not the AD, I feel sorry for the coach.

If it's not the coach, I feel sorry for the fans.

With all the construction projects and ongoing athletic schedules, is there enough of a staff presence to keep things going while he appoints a new AD?

Absolutely.

Construction projects are done by the University. Mickey probably has his hand in it too but ultimately the University controls it.

Mickey will lead the internal staff.

The University has to approve marketing materials so that won't change.

Coaches will continue coaching their sports.

Todd will continue like normal with Athletics Communications.

Not much will change in the interim.

Where we go with the AD will say a lot. We're either going to double down, go for broke with FBS Independence or we're going to scale the department back to a normal FCS level and sit for a few years while Jerry does his thing in Washington.

[Purple Haize]

I don't think forcing Jeff out was the right move but I'm not shocked by it. Like someone else said the major sports have trended downward and the goal of FBS was not accomplished in 10 years. There are plenty of reasons why the FBS thing didn't happen but the fact remains it didn't.

I don't like it but I understand it. With that said I have zero trust that Jerry will make a good hire.

That's been my knock on JB. He was hired because of connections to get LU to FBS. Apparently those connections were not as advertised.
He really didn't do much fund raising. The Capital projects were funded by LUO
He hired and fired some coaches. Just like any other AD would have done.
I'm sure he's a nice component guy but .....

[LUconn]

I can't imagine how frustrated and even hurt that the Barber's are now. Jeff has made some critical hires for our university since he has been here as well as make the tough decisions to fire some too. Recently, the hires of Dot Richardson, Scott Jackson(I know he has yet to coach a game, but I am drinking the Kool-aid on him.) and getting Ritchie McKay back was HUGE!

Don't forget his son just signed a LOI for bball 4 days ago. I wonder if this affects that decision?

[FlamesHighontheTide]

I guess the next question is, who would be the best fit our Athletics program Spiritually and Athletically?

Money is obviously not a concern but like some of you have said, "will the investment be worth it."

[Just John]

Would it shock anyone if the new coach was Art Briles?

Yes Not saying it's out of the question JR would talk to him about it, but I think Art will have more attractive options, if not in college, in the NFL

Or ya know, a few months after we have multiple players suspended to sexual assault allegations, we're trying to hire the coach behind one of the biggest scandals in college football history? I'm sure that will go over real well.

Hey, Jr found absolution for another hi-profile guy with some PR problems regarding sexual issues.