LemonGello

Sleepy, Roc was the recruiter with Tubbs. The head coach must approve the recruits before they are signed. All of that accountablity still falls on the HC.  Those recruits also played on Roc's team that won the SLC regualer season title.

I don't know if LU was recruiting the PG from Memorial, but I know Shaq and his dad, and I know that he wanted to attend college away from home.

Recruiting is a crap shoot.  Most of us as fans have seen some coaches recruit very well and then run into a drought.  It's easy to bring the best guys in at the big time programs, but down here at this level you are tested.  I can tell you that the guys from this last class are excellent athletes.  If you watch Milk Harris practice, you'd understand what I mean by "great athlete".  The refinement is needed, but if it happens next season will be a vast improvement.

Blogging, conversation, speculation...I'm all good with that.  Ignorance means "not knowing".  When I read it and want to call it out, I will.  I find all of this amusing and that's why I read it.  It's frustrating to read some things that I KNOW are wrong, especially when I know the parties being criticized and have some knowledge.  Carry on with your opinions, gentlemen.  I know that I will as well.

The point is to build a program.  Coach Roc had a very successful season two seasons that ended on a crushing note in the tournament.  The last two seasons have been injury plagued, and it would have been difficult for anybody to win. This is, at best, a mid-level program.  It takes more than three or four seasons to build a consistent program on this level.  If Roc is sent packing, how many seasons do you give his replacement?  If he has a similar record after three or four seasons under similar circumstances, should he be canned?  Does the school just continue a revolving door every four years if just minimal success is achieved?  My point: you can't build a program with that kind of mentality.

The ignorance?  The talk about a high school coach (yes, he's good) and big-time players staying here, speculation on coaches like Gillespie coming to Beaumont, who should and should not be recruited, how to coach these guys on the floor, the players would be glad to see the coach leave, 50% of the fan base wants the coach gone......need I go on?  That's the kind of ignorance I'm writing about on this board.....and it did not come from me. There is talent on this team, and it's developing.  It would have been hard for any coach to deal with the injuries this season (Nabors, Hall (never played), Charlie Harper, and Miles.  With recruits coming in, this team makes the tournament at least as a mid-level seed.

The ignorance of the comments on this subject are astounding.  I stopped reading them after the first seven.  Not one single person on this board knows diddly-pooh about evaluating basketball talent.  Justin Wesley?  He's a freshman, for cryin' out load!  Very unlikely you are going to have freshmen like the kids at UT or the mega-frosh at Kentucky playing here.  If he were that good, he wouldn't be at LU!  Give him time, understand? As for Tubbs, let's recall that he did not do a great deal of winning on his return.  Don't get me wrong, I love the guy.  Even he knows what Roc has dealt with the last two seasons, which is just one reason why Roc should and will stay.  The players are loyal and committed to who brought them to LU.  Remember that.  To say anything else is merely speculation. LU has not returned to glory simply because no consistency has been developed to actually build a program here.  That lack of consistency is due to the revolving door in the coaches' office at the Montagne Center for the last two decades!

Tubbs didn't win the three seasons he was here.  Roc inherited his team and had one of the most successful seasons in years.  Last two seasons have been injury plagued in case anyone has been paying attention.  If you are going to BUILD A PROGRAM, you must establish consistency.  The best way to do that is to find a committed coach to the school and stick with him.  This is not a stepping stone job for Roc as it would be for most other coaches who MIGHT come here.  Roc is committed for the long haul.  A guarantee: at the very least, the team will be in the conference tournament next season since they will be playing in the Eastern Division of the conference.  The keys for next season: good health, two good shooters, and two good rebounders.

I want Roc to stay as coach, but many fans on this board need to realize a few things.  The head coaching job at LU has been a revolving door for far too long.  The only way to begin some sort of consistency in the program is to stick with a coach for a prolonged period of time.  In order to have a coach like this, it must be someone who acually wants to be here for the long haul.  That is Coach Roc, a LU grad and Golden Triangle native. Another review:  Tubbs did not win here on his return; Deane reached the tournament, but thankfully because of a conference tournament victory with a losing regular season record.  No tournament appearences before Deane dating back to Pat Foster.  Roc has had the best season here two years ago in many seasons.  Frankly, if we keep changing coaches at the rate we have been doing, we're never going to develop consistency.  The last two seasons have been injury plagued.  A healthy Nabors, a healthy Ashton Hall (who never played) may have made a big difference with the other guys in the lineup.  That's the nature of the game.  Remember as well that LU will be in the Eastern Division next season. That's likely a conference tournament appearence regardless of who the coach is next season.  On paper, it will look good even though the East is hands down the weaker division (a good thing for LU). If you take a look at any school or professional team in any sport, those who hire a coach and stick with him through thick and thin are the most successful because of the consistency that gets developed. 

Coach Tidwell would give Jenna credit as well, but that goes to show what a good coach he is.  Don't underestimate his influence.  He brought the players and asst. coaches in.  The program has had a resurgence under his leadership.  He is the reason.

The turnovers come with a new cast players.  The guards are very athletic who will take a while to become acclimated to the system.  No doubt, a solid perimeter player coming in from juco or a mature freshman will help with this mixture. Strahan Coliseum when compared with all arenas in the SLC is actually one of the better venues.  It has that wall on one side which was not well thought out on the part of the San Marcos folks but the rest of the arena is not that bad.  They do, however, have a far superior scoreboard than Montagne. The Montagne Center is, hands-down, the best basketball arena in the SLC.  No one will argue with you about that.  The American Bank Center in Corpus is newer, but it's not a basketball arena.  That curtain on one side of the court is not attractive.   What the Montagne needs is an up-to-date scoreboard with a video screen.  Probably a million dollars, I know, but I hope they get it soon.

Is the seating capacity increasing?  I think Cardinal Stadium holds 14,000 as is.

Any win is big, but I know that I'm not trying to sugar coat it.  It's not going to help them against Corpus Christi and Sam.  The team is young and developing.  It's likely not to be noticed until next season.

Wesley will be a big contributor next season, mark my words.  Mathis will be the added depth we need in due time.  He can hit from the perimeter.

Take a look at the roster and tell me who else can play the point?  I can tell you now:  nobody!  He's the best ballhandler, has the best court vision, and can play decent defense on the perimeter.  Unfortunately, turnovers are problem for every player.

Average cost here runs anywhere from $800-$1200 for a season.. You're right, it does prohibit a lot of girls from playing.  In comparison, the girls that play at the Texas Tornado gym in Houston(THE premiere volleyball site in Texas) pay $2000 plus for their membership. I've wondered the same things you have as far as finding enough teams and players to play all games in this area.  It hasn't happened and it won't anytime soon.  As for softball and soccer, the cost difference is not huge.  Take into account as well that soccer and softball tournaments are frequently 2 days and involve a hotel stay.  Most v-ball tournaments last a morning and mid-afternoon.

Making the tournament is an acomplishment by itself.  This squad has dealt with a lot this season.  Injuries have kept the team from meeting higher expectations.  Ashton Hall has not played all season.  Nabors is still not at 100%, but his contribution has been crucial.  Buck Miles has exceeded expectations at the point.  This is a developing team on a weekly basis.  No 20 wins, but two victories on the road will say a lot.  Anything goes in the tournament.  If they go in loose, neutralize the boards and minimize the turnovers, anything could happen.  I'm convinced if they keep their nucleus in tact, get a JC bruiser on the boards and a JC perimeter player they will be in the mix for the conference in '10-'11.

The coaches are in the process of developing depth on the team.  They really are not far off from having ten players that can contribute.  Justin Wesley, Reggie Mathis, and EB Davis have the potential to provide valuable minutes soon.  Continue to be patient, grasshoppers.  We are going to be where we all want to be soon.

To the best of my knowledge, there are three Club V-Ball organizations in SE Texas.  Unfortunately, that's not enough.  Volleyball pales in comparison to softball and soccer in this area.  The Club teams have to go to Houston to play.  There is no other way.  Occasionally, trips are made to San Antonio, Dallas, & New Orleans to play tournaments, but you can't play any in the Triangle.  Not enough participation.  :(

Continue to give Roc time, and here's why:  Roc is not using this job as a stepping stone as any other coach would with the exception of Coach Tubbs.  Roc is a Triangle native, a LU grad, and has worked his way up from the bottom to the top.  In other words, he is fully committed to bringing the program back to where it was in the late 70s to early 80s.  Yes, he could have left.  He has had offers for more money at elite programs.  He wants to be at LU!  He knows what it is going to take to get there, and he puts the amount of hours in and then some to insure it will happen.  Be patient Card fans!  We are going to be in the tournament again and sooner rather than later.

Coach Roc will be back next season.  He has a young nucleus of talented players that will continue to improve.  His coaching staff is quality and experience.  This is the right bunch of coaches to move the program upward, but patience and time is required.  No coach could be more dedicated to LU than Roc.