Is this the end of the road for Woodard?

if it is, who do we want?

 

Would you go with a successful High School coach like Larry Neumann or do we go with a proven college OC?

I see a 6-6 season (with all 6 wins coming against the some of the worst FCS teams and sub-D1 teams). I think Woodard was counting on 7+ wins with the easy schedule and as a result getting a contract extension. I think it's now pretty obvious that he can't coach because they always fail miserably in big games. My only worry is that some big donor or two with a lot of influence will try to keep Woodard as the coach.

Can't imagine a scenario that keeps Woodard here other than somehow making the FCS playoffs which would likely take us to have to run the table...so in short yes this is the end of the road...

 

Neumann's name has been brought up before but not sure I see him trying to rebuild a program plus moving from the HS to college ranks at this point of his career...I would possibly go with Brandon Faircloth over Neumann at this point but I'd rather have someone with some kind of college coaching experience at some level...I'd like to have him on the staff in some capacity though.

 

I think Todd Dodge would be an interesting candidate. Great HS coach at Southlake Carroll, terrible HC at North Texas, granted it's not like they great to begin with, now he's back at the HS ranks with Austin Westlake...although that may be a better job at the moment than Lamar. He's a PA guy who has familiarity with the area.

 

We have everything a coach looking for a job at the FCS level would want minus a proven winner on the field. Have the facilities, budget, fertile recruiting grounds, & big money supporters (although some really love Woodard).

RayRay has to go...but that's up to the Mrs. Dauphine

 

We CANNOT go to the high school ranks for a coach....no way, no how

RayRay has to go...but that's up to the Mrs. Dauphine

 

We CANNOT go to the high school ranks for a coach....no way, no how

 

The head coaching job shouldn't go to the friend of the donor with the most money!!

Oh but many times it does. While I hope he is successful many on this board questioned the process that hired Tic Price for the BB job. Was there a real search or was he a friend of somebody and already on the payroll so from a budget stand point a good hire. Don't get me wrong, I like the recruiting job he has done and really think we will see a significant improvement. At least there is no buyout needed for Woodard.

Charlie Wiese is looking for employment.

 

But I agree, Woodard has got to go and fast. He was never the right coach from the start.

If Lamar were to let Woodard go, I certainly hope they do not go to the high school ranks for their next head coach. There are some very good hs coaches, but Lamar needs a coach with a vast college coaching experience. Going the high school ranks would probably set the program back even more.

I am not really in favor of a HS coach either but several years back Houston took a chance on a HS Coach by the name of Bryles and I think that worked out pretty good for both. At the FCS level and with the history of Lamar football getting the right coach will probably be pure luck unless there is a donor with a lot of money to find a really good coach that fell out of the graces at a major school after being successful that wants to take on a project. No opinion one way or the other on his abilities but Mack Brown doesn't really look comfortable on TV, I wonder how much money it would take to get him or someone like him.

The head coaching job shouldn't go to the friend of the donor with the most money!!

 

And the Silsbee connection - Dauphine has the money -AND she is from Silsbee. Charlie Woodard (former Head Coach of the Tigers) and current Bobby Woodard on staff.

 

I definitely do not have an issue with the Woodards (one of the wives taught my grand daughter last year - GREAT person)

 

It's deeper than just money -

 

Besides that - is it all Woodard? I've asked for years, Who would want to come to Beaumont?

 

Locals? not most of them if they have other options (and you can't win with a GT all-star team anyway.

 

Getting kids to come here - what's there to do? Not condoning drinking and partying - but that's what college kids do - they go out whether they drink or not - look at most college campus' - lots of clubs nearby.

 

Whoever is coaching at LU will be up against the wall - NOTHING sports related has been a success in Beaumont, I posted a list of about 7 different sport franchises (on another forum) that have failed here over the last many years....It has been said by some, that LU football is here to stay due to deep pocket donor this time....that may very well be true, but that doesn't necessarily translate to winning - see Nichols State -nothing to do in Thibodaux, La either - I Know - I was born there, and didn't go back to attend college for that reason, even with lots of family near by.

And the Silsbee connection - Dauphine has the money -AND she is from Silsbee. Charlie Woodard (former Head Coach of the Tigers) and current Bobby Woodard on staff.

 

I definitely do not have an issue with the Woodards (one of the wives taught my grand daughter last year - GREAT person)

 

It's deeper than just money -

 

Besides that - is it all Woodard? I've asked for years, Who would want to come to Beaumont?

 

Locals? not most of them if they have other options (and you can't win with a GT all-star team anyway.

 

Getting kids to come here - what's there to do? Not condoning drinking and partying - but that's what college kids do - they go out whether they drink or not - look at most college campus' - lots of clubs nearby.

 

Whoever is coaching at LU will be up against the wall - NOTHING sports related has been a success in Beaumont, I posted a list of about 7 different sport franchises (on another forum) that have failed here over the last many years....It has been said by some, that LU football is here to stay due to deep pocket donor this time....that may very well be true, but that doesn't necessarily translate to winning - see Nichols State -nothing to do in Thibodaux, La either - I Know - I was born there, and didn't go back to attend college for that reason, even with lots of family near by.

 

I've heard SHSU is known as the suitcase school because all the students leave on the weekend. I bet students go to Houston to party, just like I did when I went to Lamar in the 80s. McNeese has had a successful program for years and Lake Charles isn't exactly a paradise. I doubt the student athletes hang out in the casinos. The top athletes from SETX want to get away and go to the top BCS schools in the SEC, B12, etc. Who can blame them? But saying SETX is such a boring place that LU can't recruit players to compete in the SLC is total BS.

And the Silsbee connection - Dauphine has the money -AND she is from Silsbee. Charlie Woodard (former Head Coach of the Tigers) and current Bobby Woodard on staff.

 

I definitely do not have an issue with the Woodards (one of the wives taught my grand daughter last year - GREAT person)

 

It's deeper than just money -

 

Besides that - is it all Woodard? I've asked for years, Who would want to come to Beaumont?

 

Locals? not most of them if they have other options (and you can't win with a GT all-star team anyway.

 

Getting kids to come here - what's there to do? Not condoning drinking and partying - but that's what college kids do - they go out whether they drink or not - look at most college campus' - lots of clubs nearby.

 

Whoever is coaching at LU will be up against the wall - NOTHING sports related has been a success in Beaumont, I posted a list of about 7 different sport franchises (on another forum) that have failed here over the last many years....It has been said by some, that LU football is here to stay due to deep pocket donor this time....that may very well be true, but that doesn't necessarily translate to winning - see Nichols State -nothing to do in Thibodaux, La either - I Know - I was born there, and didn't go back to attend college for that reason, even with lots of family near by.

Wow...I didn't know Huntsville was such a party school and a sports mecca. To be honest, I've never been to the SHSU campus and only know Huntsville for the prisons.

 

Lamar is moving in the right direction but changes need to be made. There is no reason we shouldn't be competing with the likes of SHSU with the facilities, support and money that we now have. That was an embarrassing lost.

You people take the wrong line of argumentation - maybe I should have asked, rather than giving my own opinion. So what is it then? Why does everything fail in Beaumont?

 

I posted this in another forum - can't deny the facts!

 

Lamar University Football - FAILED (once already)

 

Texas Wildcatters (Hockey) - FAILED

 

Beaumont Bullfrogs (Baseball) - FAILED

 

Beaumont Golden Gators (Baseball) - FAILED even with Future Major League Baseball players John Kruk, Roberto Alomar, Joey Cora, Ozzie Guillén, Sandy Alomar, Jr., Shane Mack, andBenito Santiago all played at one time for the Golden Gators

 

Southeast Texas Mavericks (Basketball) - FAILED

 

Texas Strikers (Soccer) - FAILED

 

Texas Drillers (Football) - FAILED

You people take the wrong line of argumentation - maybe I should have asked, rather than giving my own opinion. So what is it then? Why does everything fail in Beaumont?

 

I posted this in another forum - can't deny the facts!

 

Lamar University Football - FAILED (once already)

 

Texas Wildcatters (Hockey) - FAILED

 

Beaumont Bullfrogs (Baseball) - FAILED

 

Beaumont Golden Gators (Baseball) - FAILED even with Future Major League Baseball players John Kruk, Roberto Alomar, Joey Cora, Ozzie Guillén, Sandy Alomar, Jr., Shane Mack, andBenito Santiago all played at one time for the Golden Gators

 

Southeast Texas Mavericks (Basketball) - FAILED

 

Texas Strikers (Soccer) - FAILED

 

Texas Drillers (Football) - FAILED

 

They all have one thing in common, they are not big league teams.

 

Let's start with LU football. The SWC was big in Texas for a long time and all the top players from SETX went to play at those schools. Now they go to B12, SEC, etc. and LU football (and the whole SLC for that matter is considered the local small-time team). Lamar would have good attendance like McNeese if they could put a consistently winning team on the field. Dropping football had more to due with poor management at Lamar back in the 80's than with lack of local support.

 

All those other teams you brought up where all minor leagues and/or obscure leagues that would only have limited appeal in SETX. I don't think SETX has the population base to support any type of minor league team, especially with all the entertainment options (Houston, casinos in Lake Charles, fishing and outdoor activities, sports on TV almost nonstop).

I understand you bringing up the Wildcatters due to them failing in Beaumont, but you can count on one hand the number of people in SETX that gives a rats ass about Hockey. I mean Houston is a top 5 city in terms of population and they barely have a minor league hockey team. This is not the area for that sport. Most people that went were only there with hopes to see a fight.

I understand you bringing up the Wildcatters due to them failing in Beaumont, but you can count on one hand the number of people in SETX that gives a rats ass about Hockey. I mean Houston is a top 5 city in terms of population and they barely have a minor league hockey team. This is not the area for that sport. Most people that went were only there with hopes to see a fight.

 

yes, that's why, because it's on the list....but this I'll never understand - I was there every chance I got and did see all of these players play before they made a name for themselves...was a real enjoyable time for me and the family.

 

Beaumont Golden Gators (Baseball) - FAILED even with Future Major League Baseball players John Kruk, Roberto Alomar, Joey Cora, Ozzie Guillén, Sandy Alomar, Jr., Shane Mack, andBenito Santiago all played at one time for the Golden Gators

 

I looked into some other similar areas with minor league baseball - best compared to Mobile, AL with an metro population of 415K whereas Beaumont's metro is 385K...Midland however makes it work with only 136K....

 

All the reasons or excuses in the world does not explain why the Golden Triangle can't support anything. Everyone has their reasons on why not rather than banning together and supporting "something" in Beaumont!

The Hockey team didn't actually fail. The owner of Ford arena was not willing to compromise on contract negotiations and the team was sold accordingly. Ford Arena failed in this case. Everything else did fail. Not sure what anyone was thinking with the minor league basketball team. That was just dumb. Wouldnt actually mind seeing another hockey team here since it did actually have reasonable attendance and make money.

The Hockey team didn't actually fail. The owner of Ford arena was not willing to compromise on contract negotiations and the team was sold accordingly. Ford Arena failed in this case. Everything else did fail. Not sure what anyone was thinking with the minor league basketball team. That was just dumb. Wouldnt actually mind seeing another hockey team here since it did actually have reasonable attendance and make money.

 

We went to several games, we actually started to understand the game..lol

 

I think I saw something about there being an indoor soccer team at Ford now...next on a long list of failures I'm sure.

We went to several games, we actually started to understand the game..lol

 

I think I saw something about there being an indoor soccer team at Ford now...next on a long list of failures I'm sure.

 

I don't know. Soccer is pretty popular and might actually do well like the hockey team did. My only hope is the new ford arena management is good and doesnt screw Beaumont over like they did with the hockey team.

The leadership in the area hurts us more than anything else in my opinion. But the highschool football mentality is also an issue.

Whether or not Ray is here next year will have nothing to do with donors. That is a fact!!!

I've slept a little since then, but my understanding is that TE Moor sold the Gators to concentrate on other things. Attendance to the games was decent at the time, but the new owners wanted to move the team to their home town. The same thing happened elsewhere. For example, the Houston Aeros (the hockey team) moved away a few years ago. The owners wanted to move the team closer to the parent team. I believe the Toyota Center folks and the Aeros management didn't come to an agreement either.

 

Complicating things for the Gators as well as the area is that the petro-chemical industry took a big hit in the mid '80's. That put a lot of strain on areas like Lafayette, Beaumont, etc. dependent on the industry. The same thing that happened in Beaumont happened elsewhere so I wouldn't call that so much as lack of support. It would be more a case of less disposable income forcing a decrease in support. It is interesting to note that just a few years before the bust in the midst of the oil boom, the Beaumont area made the Money Magazine list as one of the best areas in the country for jobs (in the top 5)...big change in a very short period of time. The instability and exposures of a boom/bust cycle is one of the reasons I've been a big proponent of diversification of the area's economy. That was a big lesson, but I don't know if it has been learned yet.

 

I don't know if the Texas Strikers would fit on the list either. The Texas Strikers were sold. They are still in town, but under a different name. The company that bought the Strikers changed the name to Oxford City FC of Texas. The renamed team will play at Ford Arena and is scheduled to start its season in about 40 days. Attendance for the Strikers was not very impressive, but is was as good or better than a lot of the teams in its league, the MASL (formerly called the PASL). The MASL and MISL, a competing league, merged this year. Attendance at former MISL teams was considerably higher. I think the renamed team could make a go with proper marketing. It looks like they are going for more of an event type of atmosphere incorporating music entertainment and soccer. Sounds like an interesting mix.

 

Looking at sports teams and business, a big factor is the management plan and the financial backing. If the budget is shoestring, failure is a lot higher. At least with the newly reincarnated Oxford City FC of Texas team, the parent company is a multinational diversified company traded on the NYSE.

 

Link to Oxford City Football Club of Texas (Oxford City FC of Texas) site: http://www.oxfordcityfctexas.com/

Link to Oxford City FC history page: http://oxfordcityfctexas.pointstreaksites.com/view/oxfordcityfc/the-history-1

Edited September 29, 2014 by LUSportsFan

Whether or not Ray is here next year will have nothing to do with donors. That is a fact!!!

 

That's good to hear. SELA was about as bad as LU back in 2010 and 2011. They brought in a new coach and in a few short years they've gone to the top in the SLC. I would hope the powers that be at LAMAR can see that and bring in someone who can take this team to the next level.

Speaking of SELA I think it's not coincidental that their and SHSU's rise to the top of the SLC comes after they land big FBS transfers. Tim Flanders went to SHSU after being buried on the Kansas St. depth chart and then proceeded to rewrite record books. SELA was building a good program when along comes Bryan Bennett from Oregon where he was behind Marcus Marriota...

Speaking of SELA I think it's not coincidental that their and SHSU's rise to the top of the SLC comes after they land big FBS transfers. Tim Flanders went to SHSU after being buried on the Kansas St. depth chart and then proceeded to rewrite record books. SELA was building a good program when along comes Bryan Bennett from Oregon where he was behind Marcus Marriota...

 

I agree with all of this, and in the names you mentioned they came due to being "buried" not due to being "in trouble"...that's where FCS coaches have to be careful, the troubled type will in most cases continue their ways only causing the same troubles in the new program.