What's the general consensus on Rickey Bustle around Cajun land? Has he been doing a good job upgrading the talent?

JMUDUKE Wrote:What's the general consensus on Rickey Bustle around Cajun land? Has he been doing a good job upgrading the talent?

I think Coach Bustle has done a very good job. He pretty much had to start from scratch and our team is getting better (slowly).

Read this <a href='http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/080304/spo_williamweathers001.shtml' target='_blank'>LINK</a>.

JMUDUKE Wrote:What's the general consensus on Rickey Bustle around Cajun land? Has he been doing a good job upgrading the talent?

Hey Hokie guy. Thanks for dropping by.

That story Swamp linked for you is a nice little synopsis of how Coach Bustle sees the progress of the program thus far. I know he feels he needs one more recruiting class to really make a statement on that progress. Most of us feel pretty good about this season, and are tickled pink when we think about the future.

We ARE building Va. Tech on the Bayou.

Personally I think coach Bustle has not done what he should have in rebuilding a football program at UL. For an example we have 10 offensive lineman and only 2 weigh more than 300 lbs. Guess who has 14 lieman and only 1 weighs below 300 lbs. Six of these offensive lineman are 6'5" or taller. I saw two of the recruits on a website that don't seem too impresive to me, White from Springhill and Rand Seegers, 6'3' OL from St. Paul(Natchtoches). I am expecting a lot ,but I think I'm going to be dissiappointed.

Longview Red Wrote:Personally I think coach Bustle has not done what he should have in rebuilding a football program at UL.

I am a homer when it comes to my school but not when it comes to criticizing the coaches. I was not a fan of Coach Evans and never was. With that said you are the only Cajun fan that I have ever read a post from or talked to in person that does not think Coach Bustle is doing a great job.

All I can say is just look at the record of the last two years. If coach Bustle had been at some other schools he would be looking for another job now. He has got to be a good offensive (assistant) coach ,but as far as head coach I have different opions. How many years has been since we beat ULM, a school that hasn't been a 1-A division program but just a short time. You should hear some of the things I hear up here about UL. I get sick and tired of it all the time.

Red, you gotta think back a few years.....

We had the worst ftball coach in 1A history. The absolute worst. Baldwin ran this program into the ground.

Miracles will not happen overnight.

I believe we will have a winning record this year, but dont be surprised if we are still a year away.

This program sucked big time when Bustle took over.

Bustle is doing an excellent job. imho.

Z. :saber:

Z, I hope that you and swamphound know what you are talking about. I am ready for some big time action in the recruiting picture. I just wish that we could recruit a great running back and two big offensive lineman for right now. We could use a good tight end that catches the ball and knows how to block. I know of several good prospects that could fit in down there real good.

I agree with swamp. I think that Bustle is doing a great job with the program, but ALSO with the Lafayette community. The guy loves this school to death and wants nothing more than to win ball games. And the poor guy had to start from the worst ever position. He promotes his team, and even does appearances and commercials for free. He will not take a dime. That to me is a dam fine coach to not only get our program winning again, but getting the Lafayette area more involved. I'm not knocking you LONGVIEW but I'm hoping that this will change your mind about Bustle.

It takes time to recruit the 6'5" 300+ pound o-lineman you are talking about. Coach Bustle is a class act and will build this program into a winner, however it takes time. You don't go from recruiting 1 star talent to five star talent when your program is where it was when Bustle got the job. Things will get better it just takes time.

On a side note, I was at Legend's today for the pretailgating party and one guy asked me if i was playing o-line for the team.

I agree with Corndog's evaluation of Coach Bustle's performance. Baldwin had not only run the football team into the ground, he had isolated the program from the Acadiana community.
Coach Bustle has busted his rear renewing community relations, and his 'roll up the sleeves and get it done' work ethic has made an impression on many potential fans.
Championship caliber success may happen for the Cajuns this year, or it may take a couple seasons, but Bustle certainly has the program heading in the right direction.

Thanks Adler