[SuperJon]

I've stayed quiet this year with the talk of Coach Layer being back next year and all of that. It's mainly because Coach Layer is one of my favorite people that work at Liberty and I was hoping we could do something to be able to bring him back next year.

With that being said, I want to say this: Dale Layer is one of the best ambassadors that Liberty University has ever had. Coaching aside, Dale Layer is a great man, a great leader, and someone our school can be proud of. With all of our past issues with coaches and how they represented us, it's nice to have a coach who truly epitomizes our values as a school.

[adam42381]

I admit that I haven't followed the team very closely this year. It seems that the major complaint with Layer is his recruiting ability. I wonder if there are any solid recruiters out there who would be willing to be an assistant at Liberty? I'm not saying I'm sold on Layer, since I don't have enough information to speak intelligently on the subject. I'm just curious, because it's pretty obvious that getting into the Big Dance has earned him some good will and most likely a contract extension.

[LUconn]

I've thought Layer was as good as gone so I haven't mentioned this but Eaker's departure opens up a position. Bring in somebody who recruits recruits recruits. Despite some people arbitrarily saying that Layer can't coach because we're losing, he has proven over the last 4 years that he can. And that's his strength. Couple that with a proven recruiter and we would be golden. I'm a tad ignorant in the coaching world though so that seems like somebody that would be hard to get laterally. I think those types of guys are normally HC candidates.

Every interview I've heard for the last day or so has been exactly what Liberty has been looking for in a coach, outside the lines.

[libertyfan4life]

+1

I like and respect Coach Dale Layer alot.

Many people who personally know him, know him to be a fine man and a man with a great work ethic, character and substance. Those qualities are not always easy to find in every coach to coach the game of basketball.

It appears as though most of his players respect him and overall buy into his system.

As already said previously above, I'd personally like to see some more rigorous efforts and emphasis on recruiting. With the new practice facilty etc we all would only hope to see some new prized fish come our way.

Coach Dale Layer will do well I believe pretty much wherever he goes. But that being said, I hope that Liberty will keep him for a couple more years, or at least I would hope beyond this season.

[ballcoach15]

I think we need to bring in an older seasoned assistant, who is a good recruiter.

[lynchburgwildcats]

Remember when some of you posters were saying Dale Layer needs to be fired midseason? LOL

[Purple Haize]

Congrats to good man of impeccable moral fiber

[Dr. Sheh]

Remember when some of you posters were saying Dale Layer needs to be fired midseason? I chortle audibly.

Count me as one of those. Although to clarify I said mid season he needs to be canned at the end of the season. Never more happy to be wrong.

Dale has been a great ambassador for Liberty University and our men's program. The way he handles himself in the multiple interviews leaves me with nothing but respect for him. Thank you Dale Layer and continue the good work!

[Bigsouthking]

As poorly as they played 90% of the season... He did a great job of keeping them together and those kids never quit. with that being said, dont get Fat & Happy... Every college coach is 1 year away from being on the HOT seat.

Meyer won in 94, runner up in 96 & 97 and was shown the door.
Randy Peele won 2 times and was shown the door.

Keep it moving boys!

[NotAJerry]

Agreed with what's been said above. Great guy who actually coaches well, hence the improvement over the course of the season every year, but not a good enough recruiter. When I mentioned a possible replacement I thought of Stan Jones on the FSU staff. I doubt he'd move laterally, so maybe offering a spot to someone like Mark Price (not that one) from Belmont would be interesting.

[thepostman]

I have, at times, been incredibly frustrated with Layer but one thing his teams have always done is work very hard. That is what got them this championship, it was all their hard work paying off at the right time.

SJ hit the nail on the head. Layer is the kind of coach that fits in perfectly with what Liberty is all about. I want him to succeed here and hope he does. Next year we have a senior heavy team and really could turn this thing completely around. I am hoping this run by our guys is just what this program needs to get jumpstarted again...

[rogers3]

I've stayed quiet this year with the talk of Coach Layer being back next year and all of that. It's mainly because Coach Layer is one of my favorite people that work at Liberty and I was hoping we could do something to be able to bring him back next year.

With that being said, I want to say this: Dale Layer is one of the best ambassadors that Liberty University has ever had. Coaching aside, Dale Layer is a great man, a great leader, and someone our school can be proud of. With all of our past issues with coaches and how they represented us, it's nice to have a coach who truly epitomizes our values as a school.

Thanks, SJ. Couldn't have said it better. I have liked him since the first time a heard him at a FC luncheon.

[DB89]

I'm honestly not trying to make a point....what is Layers record at Liberty?

[BJWilliams]

63-67 after Sunday and 4-3 in the Big South Tournament (all 4 wins coming this year)

[FlameFanInCarolina]

As a person I am sure that Layer is a good man and I am glad he is a good ambassador for the school. He is certainly not a horrible coach. But to think that 4 days can change a program from complete apathy (note how few pregame posts there were to the season ending game with Radford on this borad) to a program on the move with a coach to lead Liberty in the future, for me, is an overreaction. Layer's teams have alwars improved as the season went on, but they is always room for improvement with the slow starts they seem to always have. I hope Layer finishes his contract out next year, and if indeed this is a turning point and not a fluke then he gets extended. Like a certain coach in the not too distant past, that will not be named to avoid the PH-Jeff Meyer reaction, let the contract expire and make the best decission at that time. Given the complete lack of enthusiasm throughout this year for men's hoops, I would hate to see a quick decission based on getting hot in a bad year of a bad conference to set the stage for future years. Keep in mind this is a 20 loss team. The program is a ways from being consistently strong.

[BJWilliams]

Yours is not a minority opinion in that respect. After the two championships previous, we have not been able to build on that success and no doubt those on this board that remember one or both of them would agree that there is much work yet to be done.

[SuperJon]

This thread isn't about if he's fit to lead us in the future. It's to thank him for the ambassador he is to our school and what he did the past week.

[Chippy]

Arlon Harper of CSU paid Layer a compliment after the game saying that "he's a great coach". As I have said on more than one occasion, he gets the most out of the talent he has. The effort they put out on the floor is an obvious indication of his leadership and coaching. To have them not fold after a 1-11 start to the season in itself takes a "great coach". Beating Cambell and Longwood in convincing style gave me a sense that they were turning the corner. The last 5 games underscores the development of the team as a team and can only be credited to good coaching period.

[ALAFlamesFan]

I have been disappointed over and over the past 15 or so years by this program but reading the other thread and that article about JM reminded me again why I got so excited about LU basketball when I was on campus. We had a class coach who was allowed to build a program over many years. I think we have one again. You can get better at recruiting in any number of ways (assistant coaches, better marketing, facilities, etc). It is harder to find classy individuals that are universally respected in their profession. We made a mistake years ago thinking we could do better than what we had. I don't think we can do better now than Coach Layer and I believe he can take us where we thought we were going as a program back in 1997. The future is looking up.

[JK37]

All duties of coaching (at ALL levels, mind you) boil down to three categories:

1. Recruiting
2. Teaching
3. Motivating
(Bob Starkey, Texas A&M)

No argument I've seen can be made against Dale Layer's abilities in areas 2 and 3. And I've personally witnessed him exhibit both of those at a high level on a consistent basis. But I believe he's great at all three. Many of you underestimate the task he took on when he returned as HC.

[Chippy]

All duties of coaching (at ALL levels, mind you) boil down to three categories:

1. Recruiting
2. Teaching
3. Motivating
(Bob Starkey, Texas A&M)

No argument I've seen can be made against Dale Layer's abilities in areas 2 and 3. And I've personally witnessed him exhibit both of those at a high level on a consistent basis. But I believe he's great at all three. Many of you underestimate the task he took on when he returned as HC.

Recruiting is hard. There are 350 Div 1 teams. The top 50 teams/top conferences get the best talent. The other 300 teams are vying for the rest. The BSC coaches all face the same dilemma that LU faces regarding what's remaining in the talent pool. BSC RPI is 29 out of 31 conferences.

I think getting to the NCAA tournament, the new BB facilities, the expansion of the campus and a possible move up in conference/FBS will only help to attract better talent.

[Purple Haize]

This thread isn't about if he's fit to lead us in the future. It's to thank him for the ambassador he is to our school and what he did the past week.

Agree. Start a new 'Does Layer Fit ' thread or something. This is to say thank you to the man!