IMHO, Skip has been great for LSU in that under his reign the facilities have been constantly upgraded... was this his doing? Saban's? I dont know... As a personell manager, Skip sucks. Baseball has been left in the hands of one of his incompetent underlings, Basketball has been coached by a guy who has proved over and over that he can't bring the program from the middle of the SEC road, and, the worst thing thus far, he said during the hiring process for head football coach that he wouldnt pay "Nick Saban money", thereby eliminating any of the better coaches.
What would Saban have to do with the plans for a new baseball stadium and the renovation of the PMAC? Agreed Agreed Disagree. Name a college football head coach other than Pete Carroll and Bob Stoops who you think has earned "Nick Saban money". Name a college football head coach worth that type of money who would consider coming to LSU.
That would be the first option in the poll. "Has he been a good AD?" Answer No (which in my mind would include if he's been an OK AD.)
I think he is a good fundraiser which is very important in college ranks. But I think he stinks in the other aspects of athletic director. 1) The track and field coach that had tremendous success at LSU left for Texas A&M under his reign. 2) He keeps John Brady around after 9 years of being an average SEC team. 3) Smoke is turning the baseball program into an average SEC team. 4) Jury is still out on Miles but many fans are concerned about the football program. 5) He was outmanuevered by ASU officials when we lost a home game without a return commitment. I understand the hurricane was out of his control but I think the administration should of had a contingency plan to put the game on within reasonable driving distance for LSU fans. It was obvious when ASU officials came to visit that LSU wanted to keep the game in BR and ASU had a plan to put the game on in Tempe. When ASU refused to come to BR, LSU had no backup plan. If ASU can put on a game with short notice I'm sure Dallas, Houston, Shreveport, Jackson could've done the same thing. 6) Mark Emmert had more to do with the upgrades to the facilities than Skip. I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for Skip as a baseball coach but I don't like him as AD.
I think skip has done a great job, far better than any other AD before him! He is great at finding ways to raise money for athletics and football, basketball, softball, baseball have all profited by having him as AD. With the addition of the West Upper this will update and raise much more money and the beautiful new operations center will improve recruiting. Upgrading facilities such as the PMAC was long overdue and now is being accomplished. Newly proposed facilities such as the softball field and new alex box are in the making. Not to mention Mikes cage which looks great! There is always a price for all these new accomodations it does not grow on a tree which means you will see more advertisement, but this is not going to take over like other schools have let it! There is too much tradition here at LSU and Skip recognizes that. The names Tiger Stadium, Pete Maravich Assembly Center, and Alex Box will never be replaced by commercial ones. At least LSU has not used commercial names such as Papa Johns Field, Carrier Dome, SBC stadium, etc. You can't argue with the money Skip has generated in a short period of time to accomodate all these sports. I hope he stays involved with LSU after his AD days!
He has done a pretty decent job as the AD, but he will never be forgiven for going to the Cotton Bowl officials and lobbyling LSU into their bowl, 2 days before the SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME! That was one of the stupidest decisions he could have ever made.
