[cajun4life]

1- Us taking in LSU castoffs in athletics has rarely worked out.

2- He was the architect behind that idiotic contract given to Brian Kelly. He deserved to be shown the door with Kelly.

Good thing he won’t have to worry about buyouts here. We don’t fire anyone.

[ColaCajun]

1- Us taking in LSU castoffs in athletics has rarely worked out.

2- He was the architect behind that idiotic contract given to Brian Kelly. He deserved to be shown the door with Kelly.

Both points are fair, and I’m not saying Woodward didn’t make mistakes at LSU. The Kelly contract was bad, and Kelly ultimately wasn’t a great culture fit. But let’s not rewrite history either. He had tremendous success at Notre Dame and was considered a major hire at the time. LSU is also paying Kiffin $13M a year now, so paying huge money for a proven coach wasn’t unique to Woodward.

Maggard made some questionable decisions too, just like virtually every AD does. Woodward’s overall résumé is still incredibly strong with Washington, Texas A&M, major facilities projects, fundraising and decades at the highest level of college athletics.

But my larger point is that I’d put BOTH Woodward and Michael Alford near the top of the list. Alford has deep Acadiana and UL ties, plus major experience at the highest level of college athletics. Woodward brings his own national résumé, fundraising and facilities experience. Both understand the industry, know what big-time athletics looks like and would bring experience and relationships to UL that we simply don’t have right now. Woodward’s issues with Louisiana politicians obviously have to be considered, but neither candidate comes without baggage.

And both probably have a pretty big chip on their shoulder after how things ended at LSU and Florida State. Maybe UL is exactly the place for one of them to prove something. Either one would be a major upgrade over what we have right now, and I’d be thrilled if we could land either one.

[Louisiana84]

Good thing he won’t have to worry about buyouts here. We don’t fire anyone.

We can't afford to...

[RedTails]

No thanks on Woodward. Seems like he's only good at writing massive checks with other people's money. (Jimbo & Kelly).

[PetroCajunRunner]

No thanks on Woodward. Seems like he's only good at writing massive checks with other people's money. (Jimbo & Kelly).

Yep. We need someone who knows how to raise money. A&M and LSU names and reputation alone with their faithful following raise money. RedTails could bring in revenues of $200 Million a year at either school.

[HELMUTVII]

Pay the new guy a base salary plus a percentage of every dollar he raises..

[Houston Cajun]

Both points are fair, and I’m not saying Woodward didn’t make mistakes at LSU. The Kelly contract was bad, and Kelly ultimately wasn’t a great culture fit. But let’s not rewrite history either. He had tremendous success at Notre Dame and was considered a major hire at the time. LSU is also paying Kiffin $13M a year now, so paying huge money for a proven coach wasn’t unique to Woodward.

Maggard made some questionable decisions too, just like virtually every AD does. Woodward’s overall résumé is still incredibly strong with Washington, Texas A&M, major facilities projects, fundraising and decades at the highest level of college athletics.

But my larger point is that I’d put BOTH Woodward and Michael Alford near the top of the list. Alford has deep Acadiana and UL ties, plus major experience at the highest level of college athletics. Woodward brings his own national résumé, fundraising and facilities experience. Both understand the industry, know what big-time athletics looks like and would bring experience and relationships to UL that we simply don’t have right now. Woodward’s issues with Louisiana politicians obviously have to be considered, but neither candidate comes without baggage.

And both probably have a pretty big chip on their shoulder after how things ended at LSU and Florida State. Maybe UL is exactly the place for one of them to prove something. Either one would be a major upgrade over what we have right now, and I’d be thrilled if we could land either one.

Not saying he is the right selection. However, Woodward would certainly have connections to every big-money Lafayette and Acadiana donor to LSU. Many are likely UL alums who like being associated with a big-time program. Maybe he could generate some UL support from them as well. These supporters are local residents who should have some commitments to Lafayette and Acadiana and to also supporting UL athletics. Their support for LSU will not likely change. Would we not take supplemental support from them? Who knows what that could develop into.

[cajun4life]

We have options, but we will see if our budgetary constraints hurt us in this search.