Commenting without quoting: When you have spent as much money as I have going to LSU events over my lifetime, then come talk to me, Junior. I don't go to games anymore. I have had my butt in Tiger Stadium, Alex Box and PMAC on many, many occasions. Attendance at games has no correlation to the ability to see the obvious. Based upon some of the responses, the truth does indeed hurt.
Smoke wasn't fired because of "unrealistic expectations" IMO. If Jim Wells or Mike Bianco were the LSU coach and had Smoke's record here over the last 5 years, they would still be coaching LSU baseball and fan attendance would have been higher. Smoke was an unlikeable figure and he had pissed off many, many people in his short time here as HC. That was the reason for his firing. Much like Terry Bowden at Auburn......he wasn't a very likeable guy to many people. So when his 11-0 seasons were done, he was gone. I don't think Smoke was fired for his record. People didn't like the trend of the program, the way Smoke handled things nor Smoke himself.
This may indeed be true, one of the first things Skip mentioned about a new coach is that he must be "comfortable with the fans and the media". Like Curley Hallman, Smoke just never established much rapport with those outside the program. He will continue to be a fine coach in Division I-AA somewhere where the outside expectations (both realistic and unrealistic) are not as demanding as long as he has that winning record.
Oh please. Don't get hurt falling off that high-horse, son. :dis: You can't get over your distaste for the 'bitchers' enough to admit the fact that we have a phenomenal baseball fanbase. Read supafan's comments. He's dead on. I've seen telivised games from some of the top programs in the country, and we probably have as many people at our alumni games as they do. You really should quit while you're (a) behind.
I think what is missed in the interpretation of Bertman's comments is that LSU baseball fans are not only loyal fans of the home team (as commented above), but are also remarkable students of the game who reward fine plays by the home team and visitors alike with enthusiastic cheers. How many times have you read comments from opposing teams regarding the magnanimous atmosphere at the Boxx? I'll tell you though, it sure was easier to cheer for the visitors when they posted a fine effort, but lost. . .
I would like you to explain this post. Are you joking? Do you actually agree with the quote that you included in your post? If so, I would like to point out to you that Smoke is fired. Why is he fired? Because LSU fans are bad? Because Skip knew that if he didn't fire Smoke, that LSU fans might be mean to Baubie fans? Why? Why did Skip fire Smoke? You seem to place part of the blame on the fans. I have a problem with that, because I believe that Smoke himself is responsible for Smoke's job-loss. Smoke was LSU's baseball coach for five seasons. The program, and the team's performance declined from each season to the next. The team never improved from one year to the next . . . not once . . . during Smoke's five-year tenure. I submit to you that THESE are the reasons why Skip fired Smoke. Are we in agreement on this?
I disagree. Baseball is different than football. Smaller schools can, and have, won championships in the past. Just because LSU is a bigger school, with a better Football, Basketball, Women's Basketball, Track, etc programs does NOT mean that we'll automatically be better in baseball too. That's why we play the games. Ole Miss actually reminds me of LSU baseball way back in the day. They have a young coach who knows the game. They have fans who are all excited because every other sport is suffering. And they have the facilities to attract players. Of course recruiting to Oxford has to be tough, but that's why you go to a school for an education and to play sports--not to party.
I agree. Smoke could have stayed and coached an ULM forever and he may go back to a place like ULM and be a huge success, like you said. IMO, Smoke resented the fans and their closeness to the program. Like you also brought up, or CC did, this fan enthusiasm is a double edged sword. It cuts both ways. I just think if Wells had been the coach, instead of Smoke, had the same record, Wells would still be coaching here.
I was talking to a player's dad at the Auburn game I went to this year. He told me he had never met Smoke so he introduced himself after the Friday night game. After introdcuing himself to Smoke said "Oh" and turned his back on this guy. That kind of thing doesn't help you win hearts and minds of the fans and parents.
