[A.G.]

What amazes me about this whole thread, is how a polarizing individual RD appears to be. Some will follow him to the ends of the earth, while others talk about him like he is the anti-christ and an absolutely despicable human being.
Unbelievable.

[LUconn]

I figured you were an Elton John fan

[Hold My Own]

I leave this tread for one day and come back to this???


IS HE CALLING ME TERRY FALWELL!!!!!!!!

on the real....it's not terry, but here's where I have a problem...you made a statment that he gets his facts wrong sometimes and when you made that statement you were thinkin he was me....What have I said that isnt correct on here? PM me if you want to know who I am, it's a simple process

[Hold My Own]

What amazes me about this whole thread, is how a polarizing individual RD appears to be. Some will follow him to the ends of the earth, while others talk about him like he is the anti-christ and an absolutely despicable human being.
Unbelievable.

Why I'll never work for LU...

[Hold My Own]

I don't think there would be as many haters out there if there had been a real search, and RD had gotten the job. Some have the impression that, seeing him on campus at times the last couple of years of Mel's reign, that Dunton had been campaigning for the job for quite a while. Then, with the quick dismissal and rehire, there is the perception of good ole fashioned back room dealings. Again, if the hire had been on the up and up, most folks would realize what a good hire it was.

Thats why I said on page two-hundred and twenty five...he stayed in very close contact with JF talkin on a weekly basis

[Hold My Own]

this board is simply maddness now....


Honestly say it's not hearsay or lying but Jerry Falwell does not act on anything but his own gut feeling...if your so correct about Terry being the reason then why didnt they just do it after his 1 year stay it sure as heck would have saved us of 4 years of some of the worst basketball i've seen...your argument isnt holding much weight

[TallyW]

Is this the longest running thread for the furnace or flamefans ?

[LUconn]

For every interest I have in my life, I've found a message board on it. And on each of those, there's been a subject that blows up like this one did. And if history is correct, it will keep coming back. This is just something we'll have to live with

On another note, Tally's banner is sweet.

[A.G.]

I'll take passion over apathy any day.

[Sly Fox]

I figured you were an Elton John fan

Then he would be a Rocket Man and not a Rocketfan. For the record, it looks like Rocket is going to pitch for the Astros this season barring some new development. He's run out of gas the last month or so each of the past few seasons. So starting in May would actually be a blessing down the stretch. Roger made a big show out of meeting with his agents at Minute Maid Park in front of us yesterday. He clearly enjoys the attention.

I'll take passion over apathy any day.

Amen!

[Guest]

I just read all of these, as fast as I could... I've been away, and now they're trying to fire my boy. Yes, I'm a Dunton Fan. A "DF."
Has he ever been wrong? Of course. But how about a few facts from a "DF."

Jerry Falwell didn't make the call on Hankenson, the committee did. The Committee didn't give RD the chance he should have had, based on the job he did as interim. The committee didn't do a good job.

When the job was ready to be opened, Jerry Falwell made the call, because that's what he believed was the best thing to do. He has a right to make a call now and then. Look what he has done. Get over it.

I have known Randy closely for over 32 years, and I have never heard him cuss. Coached him, taught him, he's been at my house as a kid and an adult. Worked with him in junior high, high school, and college.... and much more... but that's enough. Suffice it to say that I know him very, very, well. Sure he's a driven man! How many of us have gone from the backwoods of Maine to a D-1 coaching position. Yes, he is confident, even bordering on cocky, but he is good. No, this is not a good year, and he has to take the responsibility. Talk to him - he does. This will be turned around.

ALUmnus & others are right - big name players like to go to big name schools. Look at football. Kids hold off to see if USC is going to offer. If not, they go somewhere else. If USC (or other biggies offer) "so sorry" to the other schools - good bye. That's life.
Tim Drisdom is a great kid, great student, great player, great Christian. Randy talked to him, but he was set on Utah and Rick Majerus (sp) so that's where he went.

Randy is also a great Christian man. (This is given as an aside). Not that this means he should be retained, but neither should it be lost in your consideration of Randy as a human being. He is an honest and sincere man.

Also, sometimes good players decide that they are better than the program. Maybe ??? this happened with Dees. I really cannot say for sure, but I do know that he was not willing to work with RD, as the "defense thing" has been mentioned. That's not right of a player on any team, and then what's the coach supposed to do? Carry his gymbag to the locker room and ask him to "please" be a good boy. If so, everyone loses respect for the coach and the program. Probably Duke has a bunch of highly rated players, and if one mouths off, he sits, and one of others steps in. If you have three or four highly rated at a smaller (or lower profile) school, then they must come with the character of a Larry Blair, or you're in trouble.

Randy has made every team he has played on or coached better. He has been a strong positive in every community he has been in. This is not over at LU. The ship will be righted. If wrong, I will happly accept and print it here. I must say also that I am seldom wrong. We'll see.

God bless you all. Go Flames, and thanks for this great board!

[Sly Fox]

grm, I presume? Did you forget to log in.?
Nicely stated whoever wrote the summary. I think we have extended this conversation way too long. But I'm not a Thread Nazi.

[LUconn]

That post was filled with jems. Whoever you are, you have stated perfectly what the Basketball and Football teams are up against.

[grm]

Yes, I did forget to log in. Sorry about that.

grm

[flameshaw]

I leave this tread for one day and come back to this???


IS HE CALLING ME TERRY FALWELL!!!!!!!!

on the real....it's not terry, but here's where I have a problem...you made a statment that he gets his facts wrong sometimes and when you made that statement you were thinkin he was me....What have I said that isnt correct on here? PM me if you want to know who I am, it's a simple process

HMO,

I apologize if you feel like I was addressing you as TF. Honestly the thought never crossed my mind. I was just stating that some of the things that Terry has told me have not always come true. Most all have, but sometimes the timing is off.
My comment about not being better now that 4 years ago is said with some form of jest and is certainly open to discussion. I am just basing it on one D1 win and a RPI rating of 300+. I suspect we are probably somewhat better, but not significantly. I don't think we are to the level of the Aluma teams and he played how many years ago?

[TallyW]

(THE FOLLOWING IS FOR DISCUSSION... I HAVE YET TO CALL FOR RD'S HEAD AND I"M NOT DOING SO RIGHT NOW... THIS IS FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY)

Let me toss out a "what if".

"What if" a name coach was brought in. I think GRM you highlight part of my thought process in this whole thing...

You said that "Tim Drisdom is a great kid, great student, great player, great Christian. Randy talked to him, but he was set on Utah and Rick Majerus (sp) so that's where he went. "

My question is "What if we did bring in a coach with a name?" Yes we'd have to pay up front for him but with a program losing millions of dollars, I'd bet it's safer to a nice sum up front and make it up with all that attention provides. Look at Texas Tech with coach Knight. He's got all sorts of revenue flowing through his program now (Oreilly auto parts, Adidas, even some farm equipment places, etc.) If we're a young program on the rise and we want to attract a kid like Tim Drisdom... why not give him a premier coach at an up-incoming University. We'd be a lock for the best players in the Big South which likely translates to a run similar to our women's team. With that comes exposure and a tough out of conference schedule. If a kid knows he gets to play for _______ and that because of ______ the team will be looked at more... and if a kid knows that Coach _______ has produced NBA talent.... would he not give LU a second or third look?

I know there would be hurdles... but I just wonder if a named coach would bring about the more rapid growth that we're looking for. Just food for thought...
TO EVERYONE: I'm not calling for Coach D to be fired.... I'm talking more hypothetically and am interested in some other opinions on it... in theory is this an approach a school like ours should try?

[LUconn]

Take a look at CCU. They brought in Buzz after he got the boot at UT. Or look at Florida Atlantic. Or is it Florida International? Well, one of them brough it Matt Dohrety. I think it's too early to tell how they're doing since they're both in year 1, but it looks promising.

[nickrichard]

Tally...funny you bring that up. I have been to most home games this year, and on 4 or 5 occasions I have seen Pete Guillen sitting with JF. Is there anything to this? This is a move JF would make. We know his passion for winning and big names. Easy to jump to conclusions, but I think that could be a good move for the university????

[Guest]

Tally...funny you bring that up. I have been to most home games this year, and on 4 or 5 occasions I have seen Pete Guillen sitting with JF. Is there anything to this? This is a move JF would make. We know his passion for winning and big names. Easy to jump to conclusions, but I think that could be a good move for the university????

No, that wont happen (within the next 3 years) and I'm not sure if that would be a good move....It's like the Holtz issue but without the prestige....being is it worth what may come with it? Again RD's job is safe for the next 3 years

[Hold My Own]

Let's just let this thread die and get behind whoever the coach is in whatever the sport is, it's crazy how there's 2 sides at LU...let's state things that we could walk away with that could actually help and make progress rather than negitive things that tear people down, I didnt agree or think we were going ot win in football the last 4 years but it's up to us to support the process b/c that's what it is, is a process

[Chris Lang]

Let's make sure we discern between "great" coach and "name" coach. Doherty and Peterson are names. Nothing more. If they were "great" they wouldn't have gone down in Flames like they did at their previous big conference stops. This applies more to Doherty than Buzz, who seemed to be a scapegoat in Knoxville. He had great runs at schools like App and Tulsa, so he didn't come out of the blue as much at Doherty did.

Doherty wasn't ready to be the HBC at UNC. He was overwhelmed and it showed.

As for Majerus, I don't think Liberty would be ready for the big man's porn obsession.

[A.G.]

I would actually be very intrigued with Gillen, if it ever came to that. He did a great job at Xavier and Providence. Not sure what his faith message would be. We all know that, if nothing else, RD is a man of faith and integrity.

[jcmanson]

Being a long-time UVA fan I am quite familiar with Petey. He brought in a lot of excitement with plenty of talent. He was never criticized for his recruiting; he did a great job recruiting. The problem was with player development. Many believed he could not develop players; which is a logical argument considering many of his players' numbers would not increase over they years. Also, it seemed as if he ran alot of guys out of town. There were many guys who transfered away from UVA because they did not believe in him. If the players don't believe in a coach then the coach has already failed. As far as him comint to LU, while it would be a big "name" I don't believe he is someone we should be looking at for this university. I know there has been much debate as to whether or nor recruit players who are christian or not, but when it comes to a coach I believe that all coaches at this institution (without question) should be believers and outspoken about their faith. While I am not here to judge Pete or anyone else on where they stand with Christ, I do know that he has openly cursed in public interviews while at UVA. So, I do not believe he would be a good fit. I was just going along with the board by considering, but I believe the program is in good hands with RD even though it is hard to believe that this year. I think we owe Randy at least one more year if not more to see what happens.

[Hold My Own]

Being a long-time UVA fan I am quite familiar with Petey. He brought in a lot of excitement with plenty of talent. He was never criticized for his recruiting; he did a great job recruiting. The problem was with player development. Many believed he could not develop players; which is a logical argument considering many of his players' numbers would not increase over they years. Also, it seemed as if he ran alot of guys out of town. There were many guys who transfered away from UVA because they did not believe in him. If the players don't believe in a coach then the coach has already failed. As far as him comint to LU, while it would be a big "name" I don't believe he is someone we should be looking at for this university. I know there has been much debate as to whether or nor recruit players who are christian or not, but when it comes to a coach I believe that all coaches at this institution (without question) should be believers and outspoken about their faith. While I am not here to judge Pete or anyone else on where they stand with Christ, I do know that he has openly cursed in public interviews while at UVA. So, I do not believe he would be a good fit. I was just going along with the board by considering, but I believe the program is in good hands with RD even though it is hard to believe that this year. I think we owe Randy at least one more year if not more to see what happens.

I thought he cussed in interviews before, but i didnt want to say it with not knowing for sure...JF would never stand for having a coach that isnt a believer (Holtz pushed him to his limit on being a solid Christian)...

[A.G.]

Guess that pretty much answers that. LU has to stand strong of having great Christian role models for our athletes. No compromise, there.