- April 9th, 2009, 10:05 am
#251501
First let me say that I'm really happy for Coach Layer. When I first say that McKay was leaving I was hoping Dale would be given an opportunity to return to the head coaching ranks at Liberty. And now that it has come true I wanted to share my thoughts on him as a coach and person.
I live in Fort Collins, CO and got to know Dale while he was the Head Coach at CSU. Our relationship began in 2003, the year Dale coached the team into the NCAA Tourney and a first round match-up with Duke. I had attended Duke and attended the CSU Selection gathering wearing my Duke sweatshirt. CSU almost upset Duke in the first round that year (with NBA'ers Shelden Williams, JJ Redick, Chris Duhon, Dantae Jones) and Dale did a masterful job having his team ready to play.
I was very critical of Dale the following year as I felt that CSU underachieved. In 2004-05 I had the opportunity to cover CSU mens hoops for an Internet site. At the first practice, Dale approached me, knowing how critical I had been of him, and asked if I would cover the team objectively. When I said I would, he opened up to me as no other coach would for an entire season. His candor and honesty aside, I was given great insight into how his teams prepared their scouting reports and then practiced for opponents. His knowledge of the types of offenses that teams run is incredible.
That 2005 season started great (13-2 OOC) and about a 30 rpi. Unfortunately the team fell apart when it reached conference play. It was a trend that would continue until Dale was asked to leave following the 2007 season.
For those that don't know, the Mountain West Conference is not really a mid-major as ESPN would have you believe. It is a high major without BCS football funding. You have coaches like Steve Fisher and Lon Kruger that have taken teams to Final FOurs. Programs like Utah and UNLV that have played in Final Fours. Arenas that regularly host NCAA Tournament games. The CSU program has the smallest budget in the MWC and it made it difficult to compete in conference. Dale's team could beat teams like Jeff Lebo's Auburn, Bob Huggins' KSU but would regularly struggle in conference, especially on the road. Dale never made excuses when he coached.
I've managed to stay in touch with him since he left Fort Collins. If you saw some of the e-mails he sent me this season regarding Marquette's Big East battles you'd start to understand just how hard he works and how much knowledge he has. Sometimes people take roundabout routes before finally reaching their destination. I believe that Head Coach of Liberty University is exactly where Dale Layer should be and I expect him to thrive there, giving you fans something you can be proud of.
You have a new fan as of today. Congrats Coach Layer and Go Flames!
I live in Fort Collins, CO and got to know Dale while he was the Head Coach at CSU. Our relationship began in 2003, the year Dale coached the team into the NCAA Tourney and a first round match-up with Duke. I had attended Duke and attended the CSU Selection gathering wearing my Duke sweatshirt. CSU almost upset Duke in the first round that year (with NBA'ers Shelden Williams, JJ Redick, Chris Duhon, Dantae Jones) and Dale did a masterful job having his team ready to play.
I was very critical of Dale the following year as I felt that CSU underachieved. In 2004-05 I had the opportunity to cover CSU mens hoops for an Internet site. At the first practice, Dale approached me, knowing how critical I had been of him, and asked if I would cover the team objectively. When I said I would, he opened up to me as no other coach would for an entire season. His candor and honesty aside, I was given great insight into how his teams prepared their scouting reports and then practiced for opponents. His knowledge of the types of offenses that teams run is incredible.
That 2005 season started great (13-2 OOC) and about a 30 rpi. Unfortunately the team fell apart when it reached conference play. It was a trend that would continue until Dale was asked to leave following the 2007 season.
For those that don't know, the Mountain West Conference is not really a mid-major as ESPN would have you believe. It is a high major without BCS football funding. You have coaches like Steve Fisher and Lon Kruger that have taken teams to Final FOurs. Programs like Utah and UNLV that have played in Final Fours. Arenas that regularly host NCAA Tournament games. The CSU program has the smallest budget in the MWC and it made it difficult to compete in conference. Dale's team could beat teams like Jeff Lebo's Auburn, Bob Huggins' KSU but would regularly struggle in conference, especially on the road. Dale never made excuses when he coached.
I've managed to stay in touch with him since he left Fort Collins. If you saw some of the e-mails he sent me this season regarding Marquette's Big East battles you'd start to understand just how hard he works and how much knowledge he has. Sometimes people take roundabout routes before finally reaching their destination. I believe that Head Coach of Liberty University is exactly where Dale Layer should be and I expect him to thrive there, giving you fans something you can be proud of.
You have a new fan as of today. Congrats Coach Layer and Go Flames!
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