[Sly Fox]

I hesitate to post this because I know what will follow. But I think we need to keep this in perspective. Just because applies for one of the top jobs in college sports doesn't mean he's trying to bail on LU. He is simply looking out for his family by making himself a candidate. No matter what your profession may be, this is how we operate. I keep my support completely behind him.

First 15 applicants for LSU Athletic Director are revealed

# By JORDAN BLUM
# Advocate Capitol News Bureau
# Published: Feb 20, 2008 - UPDATED: 6:15 p.m.

Senior associate athletic directors Verge Ausberry of LSU and Greg McGarity of the University of Florida are among the first batch of 15 applicants for the LSU Athletic Director position that Skip Bertman will vacate after June.

The athletic director search committee next meets on Friday to begin reviewing the early applicants.

But some potential candidates may hold out on submitting applications until late in the process so as to not tip their hands, LSU officials have stressed.

Other sitting athletic directors to apply thus far are Tom Bowen of San Jose State University, Jeff Barber of Liberty University in Virginia and Tom Collins of Brevard College in North Carolina.

Click Here for Full Story

I admit that I am going to be watching this thread like a hawk. I do not want this to become a flamefest. Let's try to act like grownups.

[The Rock]

If you want a raise go to the Chancellor and ask for a raise. He knows he's not going to get this job, this is his only reason. I personally wouldnt be shocked if he was to leave for a bigger job (soon) and I've made this statement as of late with a group at lunch. I wouldnt put my "name in the hat" if I wasnt willing to leave though, which also does not sit well with me since he is "here to complete Dr. Falwell's vision." I'm pretty sure Dr. Falwell's vision has not been completed in just 2 years work.


I believe a public statement needs to be made on his intension's. This does not surprise me yet at the same time it's upsetting considering his tenure. Bottom line this was a poor decision on his part this is only going to create controversy and he has to understand that he cant compete with some of the names that will enter this race, he is still several years away.

[ToTheLeft]

Not sure what to think just yet.

Kinda hit me by surprise.

However, I am not thinking this is only a money move...

[sweetnahmah1]

yeah don't know, that would totally suck

[Baldspot]

I say let's help him leave - on our terms, not his. Two years to complete Dr Falwell's vision - give me a break.

Sorry - Not everyone operates that way.

[Fumblerooskies]

If a man wants to better his lot in life, why the heck not. JB likes to use the term "outkicking his coverage," well...has anyone thought that perhaps we outkicked our coverage when we landed him?
(and if this is a direction he feels The Lord leading him, who are we to criticize)?

[LUconn]

He's not getting that job.

But I do think it's helpful for us to know his intentions. And that's fine if he wants to use us as a stepping stone. That's the way the business works. Surely you didn't think we were a destination program. I think this helps us plan for the future, as I figured he wouldn't be looking to leave this soon.

[RagingTireFire]

If you want a raise go to the Chancellor and ask for a raise. He knows he's not going to get this job, this is his only reason. I personally wouldnt be shocked if he was to leave for a bigger job (soon) and I've made this statement as of late with a group at lunch. I wouldnt put my "name in the hat" if I wasnt willing to leave though, which also does not sit well with me since he is "here to complete Dr. Falwell's vision." I'm pretty sure Dr. Falwell's vision has not been completed in just 2 years work.


I believe a public statement needs to be made on his intension's. This does not surprise me yet at the same time it's upsetting considering his tenure. Bottom line this was a poor decision on his part this is only going to create controversy and he has to understand that he cant compete with some of the names that will enter this race, he is still several years away.

What a joke. You sound like one of those VMI losers. LSU is a plum job -- maybe, the plum job right now. I'd be disappointed if JB didn't apply for it. If I were even halfway qualified, I'd be applying for it myself.

In other news, the rest of the applicants in the article make for a very amusing list. Maybe I should put my name in after all.

[Fumblerooskies]

Waiting for grm and <del>RD</del> checkmate to chime in.

[jcmanson]

Well, grm will/would be happy.

[LUconn]

I'd be disappointed if JB didn't apply for it.

Really? I'd have been fine. I didn't even know the AD job was vacant there. The better LU gets as a sports program, the more we should expect this type of thing. Especially with coaches. You're just got to have the infrastructure in place to overcome it. However, it's not cool to say things like "I want to carry out Jerry's vision" or things like that if it's just not true. It's not hard to NOT say something like that. I don't even remember him doing that, but everybody else seems to. Jeff could definatly use a PR class.

[Sly Fox]

Let's keep this focused on our AD and I'm steadfast in us keeping this thread from turning personal.

And as mentioned at the very beginning of this thread, it's not like he is applying for some other mid major gig. This is LSU for crying out loud.

And I agree with RTF at getting a chuckle out of some of the applicants.

[Rocketfan]

And as mentioned at the very beginning of this thread, it's not like he is applying for some other mid major gig.

Sly do you know that for a fact? I mean someone had to dig this information up BECAUSE it is LSU. If he was applying at another mid-major would we really know? I think this is where Lang has to flat out ask him. I agree with everything LUCONN says, and im dissappointed. Not in the fact that he wants to apply or even get the job, but the quotes he choose to feed us if he really didn't mean them.

[RagingTireFire]

However, it's not cool to say things like "I want to carry out Jerry's vision" or things like that if it's just not true.

Aside from the fact that you're calling JB a liar, why do you assume it's not true? Because he applied for one of the top jobs out there? Please.

[LUconn]

that's exactly why. I really don't see how he can carry out Jerry's vision for LU sports while being the AD at a school that isn't LU. Do you not see how those things conflict with each other? Just because LSU is a top 5 AD job, doesn't change that fact.

[Sly Fox]

For the record, I have no idea if JB's agent may have put an application in for him without his knowledge. That happens from time to time and it may or may not be the case in this instance. That is why I hesitate to jump to any conclusions.

[jcmanson]

I hope JB issues a statement about his intentions, other than that I have no input.

[LUconn]

For the record, I have no idea if JB's agent may have put an application in for him without his knowledge. That happens from time to time and it may or may not be the case in this instance. That is why I hesitate to jump to any conclusions.

yeah, and it could certainly be a move to get more money from us. Which is a smart play. And part of the game. I just hope we don't bite on it yet.

[RagingTireFire]

Did you guys think that JB was "called" to LU or something? It's possible to believe in something and work toward that end without it being a lifetime commitment. The armed services are a good example of that.

You guys are acting like a wounded girlfriend here and the fact is that JB owes us nothing other than a good return on the investment of his paycheck. He's a hired hand just like anyone else who works at -- or has ever worked at -- LU. Did you guys flip out when any of your old professors left for greener pastures? Did you flip out when the lunch lady left the tater tot counter to go get a better job at J Crew? Did you flip out when the clerk in the business office moved out of state? I seriously doubt it and that's the exact same situation as this. Did those people not "believe in the vision" as well?

In fact, I'll go one step further. JB has no chance at getting the LSU job and he's undoubtedly smart enough to know that and so is Junior (so there goes the $ angle). However, I submit that, if by some miracle, he were to be (again) hired as the guy in Baton Rouge it would be a huge step for Liberty athletics in terms of national exposure.

[The Rock]

It is a simple mindset RTF. LU has coach's every year that are contacted by other school's about interest in bigger and better jobs. Would they offer more money? Of course! Would they be in a better conference? Yes (try, SEC, ACC, etc). Yet there are some (thank the Lord) that are here for what LU stands for and here for the vision.

I cant believe you actually expect him to put his name out there for every gig that is better. That's like a married man hitting on every woman he comes across to actually see if he can get a date. Go ahead, and one day you'll find that date and but yourself in a compromising situation ruin your marriage, and wish you had your old life back.

[RagingTireFire]

Yet there are some (thank the Lord) that are here for what LU stands for and here for the vision.

Really? Name one.

I cant believe you actually expect him to put his name out there for every gig that is better. That's like a married man hitting on every woman he comes across to actually see if he can get a date. Go ahead, and one day you'll find that date and but yourself in a compromising situation ruin your marriage, and wish you had your old life back.

That's exactly my point. It isn't like a marriage at all. It's a job. That's all it is and the more of you that can't understand that will only make it all the more harder to hire quality replacements for when people do leave.

[The Rock]

RTF, all those mentioned that have been in contact by other schools have kept it private and dont want it to be public knowledge. They chose to not use this as a bargaining tool and out of respect for that you cant simply blast it on message boards but rather look at the letter fold it up and put it away in a locked drawer.

[Sly Fox]

Applications for the LSU job are public record in Louisiana and that's why it was in the fishwrap. Barber isn't leaking anything to anybody.

[RagingTireFire]

Applications for the LSU job are public record in Louisiana and that's why it was in the fishwrap. Barber isn't leaking anything to anybody.

Thank you, Sly.

As a person who has had zero respect for Liberty athletics in years past, I have a ton of respect for Jeff Barber both as an administrator and what I know of him as a person. This "revelation" doesn't change that. If he actually lands an interview in Baton Rouge, I'll respect him even more.

And if he actually gets the job, I will move to his hometown and erect a shrine at his birthplace.

[The Rock]

Sly, please do not confuse what I was trying to say. If Barber was contacted by LSU and politely turned them down (as I mentioned others have) then it can remain private unless he wanted to use that as a bargaining tool. Although you are correct, he sought them out which is different, on many levels.