[Cider Jim]

Two of the most recognizable names in the history of the Flames football program are going to receive an honor only one other has previously received. During Liberty’s upcoming Homecoming Weekend, the Flames are going to retire jerseys for former head coach Sam Rutigliano and Liberty and NFL standout Eric Green.

http://www.libertyflames.com/index.cfm? ... 60&TeamID=

[Sly Fox]

Very cool addition to the homecoming festivities.

[bigsmooth]

very nice gesture indeed!

[Pinckrock]

Rich history builds future. Good move. Wish we could be there.

[Hold My Own]

Did Eric ever finish? I ask b/c that may mean some more basketball jersey's may be retired...

[Baldspot]

Having memory problems here. What exactly did coach Sam do to deserve this?

Eric came back the spring semester after his first year in the NFL and finished.

[Iwasneverhere]

He took a Brand new division I-AA Independant team coming up from DII and estblished a good program and also coached the Flames to a school best 9-2 season in 1997. His overall record was 67-53 over 11 years. His first year at LU he went 7-3. 6 of his 11 years LU had a winning season.
That enough?

[Baldspot]

6 out of 11 years with at least 6 wins, hmm. Seems like a pretty low bar considering he set his own schedule.

Anything to warrant this?

[Iwasneverhere]

a lot of people thing that 1997 season should have been a playoff season. we went 9-2 and beat a ranked Appy team in Boone. you also have to realize that we were an Independant from 89-01. how many independant schools do you see in the playoffs every year.

[Cider Jim]

What exactly did coach Sam do to deserve this?

Rutigliano, the winningest coach in the program’s history, guided Liberty for 11 years (1989-99). He posted a 67-53 record during his 11-year tenure and his teams were consistently ranked in the Top 20 of many NCAA I-AA football polls.

The program’s highest ranking was No. 8 in 1990, as the Flames started the season, 4-0. In 1997, he guided the program to a tie for the most wins in school history with a 9-2 mark, which included victories over No. 19 Caly Poly and No. 15 Appalachian State.

And JF's ability to persuade a former NFL Coach of the Year with the Browns to come to LU to coach an almost brand new I-AA team is pretty amazing. Plus, Coach Sam gave his blessing on the Coach Rocco hire.

[Baldspot]

This makes sense as a PR ploy for new recruits, beyond the hype, however, Sam's results were pedestrian and hopefully nothing future coach's hold as a standard for our program.

Taking over an established 1-AA program with LOADS of talent, Sam promised to advance the program. His words, not mine. After eleven years, we were left to talk about a couple rankings that never amounted to anything when it mattered and a program in no better shape. For that we retire his jersey. Nice.

[jvegas14]

I really, really want to jump in on this thread. However, I'll just keep my pie-hole shut.

[jcmanson]

I can't say much for the Rutigliano era since I wasn't following LU at the time, but SR did not take over an "established I-AA team." We had only been I-AA for one year. I think he did "advance the program" just by looking at the results on paper.We had a couple of signature wins during his tenure, and records that were set which haven't been touched until this year.

[Baldspot]

He took a Brand new division I-AA Independant team coming up from DII

The "established" word was in response to the above captioned post. Actually, the process took several years (think Presby) and was completed before Sam arrived. The process included several big wins over teams like Youngstown, James Madison (teams that flourished during Sam's years), as well as some inconsistencies expected for a program on the rise. Inconsistencies similar to the Rutigliano years. Unlike his predecessors, however, Sam inherited I-AA status, the stadium, Hancock and talent etc to go further than any of his predecessors. Sam and Jerry spoke directly about taking the team to the playoffs and building to I-A status as the reason Sam was hired. We got close to the playoffs the year before Sam arrived, it looked promising during Sam's first year (with prior recruits) and perhaps once later during Sam's tenure but that's over 11 years. In my opinion, there was no consistent progression toward the playoffs or IA status while teams we previously bested were competing for national titles.

[PAmedic]

axe



grind



much?

[bigsmooth]

to answer an earlier question youngstown was an independent for three of their four titles. LU would have had to beat them consistently which we did not , plus we lost some other games in his era which we should not have. with all of that being said, i think he deserves this honor. LU football was not on the map when coach sam arrived and he helped raised the football credibility and helped with fundraising. did it translate into more wins and playoff apperances?? no, but it was so hard back then to get in the playoffs, and as an independent made it tougher.

[Baldspot]

Ok, I'll be quite.

[Kolzilla41]

I know nothing of what you guys are talking about. The way I always heard it, Sam did a lot for us as a University and football program. I guess I haven't been here long enough.

[bigsmooth]

i was not calling you out baldspot. i would love to know more on your opinion.

[Cider Jim]

Coach Sam helped to get us a big article in Sports Illustrated about "praying in the endzone" after a touchdown. I think I may still have a copy of that in my office somewhere.
Any remember that SI article?

[Baldspot]

I got a copy the SI article. The writer attended the E Mich game (what timing). Best piece of PR we ever got.

Sam also wasn't helped by the lawsuit against the NCAA. I'm sure that did not help our chances a couple years. It's all subjective and fun in my book.

[Rooster Cogburn]

Coach Sam helped to get us a big article in Sports Illustrated about "praying in the endzone" after a touchdown. I think I may still have a copy of that in my office somewhere.
Any remember that SI article?

Still have that whole issue!

[blwall1416]

What exactly did coach Sam do to deserve this?

He coached me.......that's just below the level of hype surrounding SCAR's dunk.

[Cider Jim]

Blwall, if Sam coached you, that can only mean one thing: welcome to the group we call (old hags).
Like SCAR and Gomes, did you have HAIR when you played?

[Old School]

Sam Rutigliano was one of the finest coaches and best christian examples that I knew outside of Dr. Falwell. He brought instant credibility to the program and helped us to get ranked in several national polls over the years. Him being honored is well deserved and couldn't happen to a better person. He was always willing to help out in any way possible and raised a great family. We are still reaping the benefits with Paul here on staff. Way to go ....for honoring such a great man.