Jump to content

Who will be the new AD?


Chad Cooper

Recommended Posts

I'm hoping they're looking outside for someone who has been successful in building or rebuilding an athletic program at another school. Needs to be someone that can get donors that will be looking to the future and not stuck in the past. Needs to be able to work with the president to inspire a vision of where Lamar can be in the future. Evans has definitely carried on the tradition of improving and building up Lamar the Dr. Simmons began.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm hoping they're looking outside for someone who has been successful in building or rebuilding an athletic program at another school. Needs to be someone that can get donors that will be looking to the future and not stuck in the past. Needs to be able to work with the president to inspire a vision of where Lamar can be in the future. Evans has definitely carried on the tradition of improving and building up Lamar the Dr. Simmons began.

 

You must know something about Evans that most others do not. My opinion of him from the few personal interactions that I have had with him is that he's certainly not a guy that could get anyone to open their wallets. Zero charisma, much like Henderson. Granted, i do not feel anyone could come close to Simmons when it comes to being invested in the university personally and professionally. Don't think there will ever be another one like him.

IMO, I think Tidwell would do an excellent job and had a great vision for the direction of our athletic programs. He also knows how to raise money and treat donors right. From my understanding, LT despised Henderson and knew without a doubt the guy was in way over his head. Henderson's promotion to AD is what made him leave for UTPB.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You don't think Tidwell could have had the AD job if he had wanted it, before they gave it to Henderson? I think the fact that they haven't just run out and filled it is hopefully a good sign that they are looking for the kind of person that can attract donors and has a good vision for what it will take to improve Lamar's athletic department across the spectrum. Big time improvements are needed at Vincent-Beck and I'm sure the other more minor sports facilities need improvements too. Can't attract top coaches or athletes with outdated facilities.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You don't think Tidwell could have had the AD job if he had wanted it, before they gave it to Henderson? I think the fact that they haven't just run out and filled it is hopefully a good sign that they are looking for the kind of person that can attract donors and has a good vision for what it will take to improve Lamar's athletic department across the spectrum. Big time improvements are needed at Vincent-Beck and I'm sure the other more minor sports facilities need improvements too. Can't attract top coaches or athletes with outdated facilities.

I thought Tidwell did have the AD job before Henderson. Coached women's basketball and was AD both but he decided he wanted to concentrate on coaching. Also heard he left partially, at least, because of Henderson. Maybe he would be content as AD and has coaching out of his system. He's a great communicator and fund raiser. He would be a great choice imho.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Best I remember Tidwell was only interim AD, might be wrong though. I am sure you are correct he wanted to concentrate on coaching. Also if memory is anywhere near what I hope it is, he really didn't want to be part of firing Rocofforte.

 

He started as just interim but later had that tag dropped and was given the full title after a few months. Then Henderson stepped in as interim and had the title dropped after over a year with that tag.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm sure your correct about Tidwell getting the full AD tag, but then why not resign as AD and keep the coaching gig? I still think his leaving had something to do with the firing of Roc. Maybe one of you is correct and he didn't want to be at LU with Henderson at any position in the AD's office. Who hired Knight anyway?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm sure your correct about Tidwell getting the full AD tag, but then why not resign as AD and keep the coaching gig? I still think his leaving had something to do with the firing of Roc. Maybe one of you is correct and he didn't want to be at LU with Henderson at any position in the AD's office. Who hired Knight anyway?

 

I did some research so we have a timeline of events.

 

September 1999:

Jimmy Simmons named President

 

May 2002:

Billy Tubbs named AD

 

March 2003:

Billy Tubbs becomes MMB coach

 

March 2006:

Billy Tubbs steps down as MBB coach

Steve Roccaforte named MBB coach

 

May 2007:

Larry Tidwell named WBB coach

 

June 2010:

Billy Tubbs resigns as AD

Larry Tidwell named interim AD

 

September 2010:

Larry Tidwell named full time AD

 

March 2011:

Steve Roccaforte fired as MBB coach

 

April 2011:

Pat Knight named MBB coach

 

May 2011:

Larry Tidwell steps down as AD

Jason Henderson named interim AD

 

June 2012:

Jason Henderson named full time AD

 

January 2013:

Jimmy Simmons retires as President

 

March 2013:

Kenneth Evans named President

 

April 2013:

Larry Tidwell resigns as WBB coach

Robin Harmony named WBB coach

 

February 2014:

Pat Knight fired as MBB coach

Tic Price named interim MBB coach

 

March 2014:

Tic Price named full time MBB coach

 

November 2017:

Jason Henderson “resigns” as AD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the research, so now the questions are, was letting Roc go the catalyst to Tidwell stepping down as AD and what part did the Knight era play in everything. Was Knight a Tidwell pick, was Tidwell encouraged by someone else to hire Knight, did Tidwell see the disaster that was the end of Knight coming and decide to get out of town before it happened? If Knight was a Tidwell pick that wouldn't speak very highly for him at least from the stand point of picking future coaches. Granted he was very easy to like and raised a lot of money to build up the ladies program.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Judging by the posts on this thread I gather that everyone liked Tidwell. Personable guy. The questions around his leaving the school are disturbing at best. He was the AD when Roc was fired so loyalty to him seems a bit of a stretch and he certainly had something to do with hiring Knight. What I’m not seeing is how he is doing in his new position. If he’s mediocre or worse do we want him? Emphatically no. I would like to see the committee select someone who has been successful in other places. Or someone who has a pedigree of success as a coach. The committee needs to look beyond the interview. I’ve seen it too often at my place of business, people kill the interview and get hired only to find out they stink at their job. The interview is important but record and references count just as much. All I hope for is this committee does a better job than they did with the Henderson hire.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...