[FigurinItOut]

He does kind of have an arrogance to him that makes him unlikable from the outside looking in, but I don't know the man at all so I am not qualified to make judgement on him. Other then that he has done very little to make himself unlikable so I am not sure where the hatred comes from.

I like that Barber will look you in the eye and thank you for coming out to the game. I barely know him, but he's done that to me several times.

Also, he truly cares about ministry. He and I served on the board of a local ministry unrelated to Liberty, TRBC, or sports. As busy as he is, his involvement on that board told me a lot about his character. Few people know about his involvement and financial support of that ministry, because he doesn't openly talk about the good he does.

So, while we may not know all that goes on behind the scenes. He's given me several reasons to respect him. Barber's good for LU!

[Purple Haize]

I'm sorry, but there is no way you can honestly compare Barber to Doc. Being a nice and personable individual is not a unique character trait. Doc was able to engender loyalty and have people believe in what he was doing and raise a ton of cash even to this day. (hint: Williams Stadium). Doc started what could be called a cultural revolution in the 80's. I'm sure JB comes across as a great guy but no way is he in the same discussion as Doc.

[truthorconsequences]

I'm sorry, but there is no way you can honestly compare Barber to Doc. Being a nice and personable individual is not a unique character trait. Doc was able to engender loyalty and have people believe in what he was doing and raise a ton of cash even to this day. (hint: Williams Stadium). Doc started what could be called a cultural revolution in the 80's. I'm sure JB comes across as a great guy but no way is he in the same discussion as Doc.

Come on your pouring cold water on the fan club.

[rogers3]

I'm sorry, but there is no way you can honestly compare Barber to Doc. Being a nice and personable individual is not a unique character trait. Doc was able to engender loyalty and have people believe in what he was doing and raise a ton of cash even to this day. (hint: Williams Stadium). Doc started what could be called a cultural revolution in the 80's. I'm sure JB comes across as a great guy but no way is he in the same discussion as Doc.

Did you miss the "closest thing" part of my comment? Sure, the strengths that Dr. Falwell had won't be fully embodied in another, but the same for the weaknesses. Also- unless you have met or conversed with JB, it is difficult to make honest judgements as to whether he is one who engenders loyalty. I am more objective than most of the kool-aid drinkers and I put a fair amount of money where my mouth is.

[truthorconsequences]

I'm sorry, but there is no way you can honestly compare Barber to Doc. Being a nice and personable individual is not a unique character trait. Doc was able to engender loyalty and have people believe in what he was doing and raise a ton of cash even to this day. (hint: Williams Stadium). Doc started what could be called a cultural revolution in the 80's. I'm sure JB comes across as a great guy but no way is he in the same discussion as Doc.

Did you miss the "closest thing" part of my comment? Sure, the strengths that Dr. Falwell had won't be fully embodied in another, but the same for the weaknesses. Also- unless you have met or conversed with JB, it is difficult to make honest judgements as to whether he is one who engenders loyalty. I am more objective than most of the kool-aid drinkers and I put a fair amount of money where my mouth is.

We all want the LU vision to become a consistent winning program. Some take up stakes if you disagree with their conceived model. DR is gone...those who formerly staunchly defended him are now ring the bells for a replacement who can do more. Frankly I feel the same with JB...he has improved some thing, but also came on board to higher budgets. His pragmatic approach has yet to move a major program forward in the BSC let alone nationally, had some involement in Asa still playing and if he left..there would be excitement about who we can now attract.

[Purple Haize]

So money buys credibility
I never said he was a terrible person. I have met him. I have met a pant load of ADs. ( and I wear some big pants!) and a lot of them have the same type of personality. Politicians are great at appearing personable, even Richard Nixon!
'Closest thing' is highly subjective. It's like the old object lesson of a group trying to swim to Hawaii. Sure one guy may be ahead of the others, but its still they are nowhere near Hawaii I would say JB isa fine competent AD who has been given unprecedented autonomy and access to resources.
As far the engendering loyalty, DOC had a way of convincing people to stay and that they were needed. Think back to the old cash strapped days. I think we are getting a sample of how that's working out in the athletic department I'm not saying he is a bad AD or being critical of coaches leaving on his watch. I'm just saying that it would be better to compare him with his contemporary colleagues then the Founder of the University.

[grm]

Who, in the New Testament age, has walked into town, and in one lifetime, built what Jerry Falwell built? (Yes, I realize he had help). But the vision, the drive, the ability to attract and utilize people, the use of radio & t.v., the successful style of pulpiteering, the successful home life, it's just ridiculous what he accomplished.

I've never seen, heard, or read anything like it, humanly speaking.

[IMBach]

Who, in the New Testament age, has walked into town, and in one lifetime, built what Jerry Falwell built? (Yes, I realize he had help). But the vision, the drive, the ability to attract and utilize people, the use of radio & t.v., the successful style of pulpiteering, the successful home life, it's just ridiculous what he accomplished.

I've never seen, heard, or read anything like it, humanly speaking.

After seeing your reference to age...would that be Raquel Welch to Minnie Pearl?

[grm]

No comment on ladies. My wife might find out about this site.

[grm]

But basically.... yes!

[rogers3]

As far the engendering loyalty, DOC had a way of convincing people to stay and that they were needed. Think back to the old cash strapped days. I think we are getting a sample of how that's working out in the athletic department I'm not saying he is a bad AD or being critical of coaches leaving on his watch. I'm just saying that it would be better to compare him with his contemporary colleagues then the Founder of the University.

I've been around a while, so I know what you are referring to in the way of keeping people around. There are a lot of loyal faculty and staff out there and I have had several family members who fit the category, but that isn't JB's job when it comes to coaches who seek out opportunities for themselves, whether it be for money or for other personal reasons. Doc lost some to... Dobson, for one. Part of JB's job is to build loyalty among donors and I think he does a pretty good job with that.
In regards to his contemporaries, what other high profile person in the administration is really a people person? From what I can tell, he is about the only one, so I'll stick to my opinion. Funny thing is that you don't seem to be a fan of administration, so I'm surprised that you wouldn't recognize how he differs from his counterparts.

[IMBach]

As far the engendering loyalty, DOC had a way of convincing people to stay and that they were needed. Think back to the old cash strapped days. I think we are getting a sample of how that's working out in the athletic department I'm not saying he is a bad AD or being critical of coaches leaving on his watch. I'm just saying that it would be better to compare him with his contemporary colleagues then the Founder of the University.

I've been around a while, so I know what you are referring to in the way of keeping people around. There are a lot of loyal faculty and staff out there and I have had several family members who fit the category, but that isn't JB's job when it comes to coaches who seek out opportunities for themselves, whether it be for money or for other personal reasons. Doc lost some to... Dobson, for one. Part of JB's job is to build loyalty among donors and I think he does a pretty good job with that.
In regards to his contemporaries, what other high profile person in the administration is really a people person? From what I can tell, he is about the only one, so I'll stick to my opinion. Funny thing is that you don't seem to be a fan of administration, so I'm surprised that you wouldn't recognize how he differs from his counterparts.

Who are his contemporaries? Has donors ever been an issue with the Falwells?

[Purple Haize]

Who, in the New Testament age, has walked into town, and in one lifetime, built what Jerry Falwell built? (Yes, I realize he had help). But the vision, the drive, the ability to attract and utilize people, the use of radio & t.v., the successful style of pulpiteering, the successful home life, it's just ridiculous what he accomplished.

I've never seen, heard, or read anything like it, humanly speaking.

Off the top of my head and eschewing home life:

Oral Roberts
Jim Bakker
Brigham Young
Pat Robertson
Bob Jones

[flameshaw]

Who, in the New Testament age, has walked into town, and in one lifetime, built what Jerry Falwell built? (Yes, I realize he had help). But the vision, the drive, the ability to attract and utilize people, the use of radio & t.v., the successful style of pulpiteering, the successful home life, it's just ridiculous what he accomplished.

I've never seen, heard, or read anything like it, humanly speaking.

Off the top of my head and eschewing home life:

Oral Roberts
Jim Bakker
Brigham Young
Pat Robertson
Bob Jones

I know you always look to include humor in your posts, but this is hilarious. You have outdone even yourself.

[Purple Haize]

Well I did leave out Muhammad Jim Jones Pol Pot and Dtalin!

[rogers3]

Who are his contemporaries? Has donors ever been an issue with the Falwells?

Read my comment again if you don't understand the usage of the term in this instance. Donors weren't an issue with Dr. Falwell. So what?

[JLFJR]

Thank you for pointing out Jeff's strengths. He is doing an excellent job for Liberty. He is a real people person as are many of our high profile administration. Ask any student and they will quickly name off a number of our leaders who interact with them personally on a daily basis. From Elmer Towns to Johnnie Moore, all of the leadership in a Christian university has to be people-oriented.

Liberty is so blessed in so many ways. Donations continue to set records year after year and enrollment continues to surge when other Christian schools struggle to find students. We appreciate your support!

[Purple Haize]

Thank you for pointing out Jeff's strengths. He is doing an excellent job for Liberty. He is a real people person as are many of our high profile administration. Ask any student and they will quickly name off a number of our leaders who interact with them personally on a daily basis. From Elmer Towns to Johnnie Moore, all of the leadership in a Christian university has to be people-oriented.

Liberty is so blessed in so many ways. Donations continue to set records year after year and enrollment continues to surge when other Christian schools struggle to find students. We appreciate your support!

That's us! We are all just giant athletic supporters at heart! That joke never gets old! Don't leave yourself out. Can't say too many University chancellors toss the pig skin around at tailgates before football games or post on fan boards. I would give you more platitudes about building on what was here but that might ruin my reputation with some on here!

[grm]

Who, in the New Testament age, has walked into town, and in one lifetime, built what Jerry Falwell built? (Yes, I realize he had help). But the vision, the drive, the ability to attract and utilize people, the use of radio & t.v., the successful style of pulpiteering, the successful home life, it's just ridiculous what he accomplished.

I've never seen, heard, or read anything like it, humanly speaking.

Off the top of my head and eschewing home life:

Oral Roberts
Jim Bakker
Brigham Young
Pat Robertson
Bob Jones

I know you always look to include humor in your posts, but this is hilarious. You have outdone even yourself.

Brigham Young didn't build what Jerry Falwell did - that was years & people in the making,
with the whole cult banding together. JF was an independent, local church, Baptist.
Bob Jones was not built in a lifetime to match Thomas Road & LBU.
Jim Bakker built a dog house & went to the big house.
Oral Roberts might have been a mini-JF.
Pat Robertson is a different thing altogether.

I maintain that there is none like Jerry Falwell.

[SuperJon]

Found this quote pretty interesting:

If Liberty offered a scholarship to a high school prospect who also received one from one of Virginia's traditionally successful CAA programs, "I wouldn't get him," Rocco said.

That's not something that we didn't know or isn't true. It's just interesting to see him publicly admit that. It goes to show he may have thought he couldn't get any better than what we've been.

[D-ZasterLU]

Falwell's greatest accomplishment was unity. Building TRBC, building LU are amazing, and by themselves out pace all others because they were done by one man at the same time. Falwell's legacy was his dream. He created unit among conservative Christians. Oral Roberts was a crazy fringe leader of primarily Pentecostals. Bob Jones is a crazy fringe of fundies. Regardless of position, denom. ect. Everyone that I tell I graduated from LU with a degree in religion are impressed and complementary, not to mention they know who it is, what it is, and where it is. Falwell's dream was the ND for Catholics and the BYU for Christians. He brought unity to our Religion in this country and around the world to a great extent.

[R i]

Found this quote pretty interesting:

If Liberty offered a scholarship to a high school prospect who also received one from one of Virginia's traditionally successful CAA programs, "I wouldn't get him," Rocco said.

That's not something that we didn't know or isn't true. It's just interesting to see him publicly admit that. It goes to show he may have thought he couldn't get any better than what we've been.

I feel like he said several times in press conferences here, that we were now "competing" for those kids. It also further explains our need to recruit nationally instead of the regional strategy Rocco introduced.

[LUconn]

That's what happens when you start with an awful program and try to build. You have to find underrated kids, and promise 4 years of starting to other kids. It's no secret, but programs are built from the scrap heap all the time.

[Sly Fox]

Good observation, r I. I've never been a fan of Rocco's recruiting philosophy and I've been pretty vocal about it for years. The traditional regional approach that he employed was limiting us in my humble opinion. While we were making incremental progress, we were beginning to max out with the exception of Charlie's work in Florida. We need to recruit nationally to be successful as we make the next step to FBS. Hopefully we find a coach who sees the potential that apparently our prior staff didn't.

[R i]

It was a Lobbed pitch for you Sly. And you knocked it out of the park.