NEW ORLEANS – ULMWarhawks.com worked the room and gathered assorted thoughts and comments from the opposition while attending Sun Belt Conference Media Day at the Sheraton Hotel. ULM's new head coach Terry Bowden and offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez were hot topics among their league peers.
Here's a sample of what Sun Belt coaches said about ULM football's new direction:
Arkansas State coach Butch Jones (wide receiver coach under Rodriguez at West Virginia in 2005-2006)
"The first word that comes to mind is respect. I have so much respect for Coach Bowden, and obviously, I was very fortunate to work for Coach Rodriguez at West Virginia. I've watched Rhett Rodriguez grow up as well. Obviously, everybody knows Dusty Rutledge (new ULM football chief of staff). A lot of people within the football department, I know extremely well."
Jones on what he expects from ULM's offense
"Toughness. They're going to play with a hard edge and be very physical. They're going to strain to finish, and they're going to find creative ways to run the football."
Coastal Carolina coach Jamey Chadwell
"Obviously, Coach Bowden knows football. He's coached in the SEC and he was National Coach of the Year at Auburn with an undefeated season. Then he goes to Akron, a place that traditionally wasn't winning a lot and turned that program into a bowl game winner. Coach Rodriguez has been at West Virginia and Michigan, then Coach Bowden brought the Clemson model with him and Clemson is good as anybody. So from the standpoint of organization, from the standpoint of culture and of knowing what to do, they brought in coaches who understand that.
"Now, it's getting players to buy into that. But if you look back at the success they've had, obviously, there's going to be buy-in from that standpoint. I think the hire was a home run from that standpoint. It's somebody that understands how to win at different places that maybe don't have the resources other places do. I think they brought the right people in there, and you know they're going to go out and recruit top quality people because of the connections they have and the name recognition they have. People still know who the Bowdens are and they know who Rodriguez is, so there's a name recognition there.
"We did not play them last year, and I know they did not have a good year. But prior to that, they had Louisiana beat to go to a bowl game and all that, so they've had talent there. I think it will be sooner, rather than later that they get the program going in the direction that they want it."
Georgia Southern coach Chad Lunsford
"You spend a lot of time thinking about yourself, so I wouldn't be an expert. There's so much respect for Coach Bowden and the things he's done throughout his career. He's going to bring a wealth of knowledge to the program and may be bring a different vibe to the guys. I know when there is a coaching change, it's always hard on the players that were bought into the previous coaching staff. But over time, they buy in and that's just how it is. I think with them, with Coach Bowden coming in there, there's going be an excitement for ULM. We ended up getting coach Joe Graves, who was on staff there, and he's talked about things at ULM. I think this is good. I think they're going to have a new energy about them."
Georgia State coach Shawn Elliott
"Certainly when you look at the staff that's been put together down there, you've got Coach Bowden coming in with a lot of experience. He's been across the coaching world, the coaching spectrum, and his dad and his brother, all the experiences he has. He was the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year back in 1993, and he's got Rich Rodriguez coming in as the offensive coordinator. I probably have a little bit better feel without even seeing them to know what they're going to do offensively. I certainly have a lot of respect for them and what they're trying to do. It's a little similar to what I had to do when I became the Georgia State head coach five years ago, so a lot of unknowns. We go back there this year, so we look forward to heading that way and seeing what they're all about."
Texas State coach Jake Spavital
"It's funny, because I've known Coach Bowden for a long time, and especially Coach Rodriguez. We kind of saw it coming anyway, because a lot of the guys I've worked with talk with Rich, like my offensive coordinator Jacob Peeler was with Rich at Ole Miss. When we saw that transition going, you knew immediately they'd be playing tempo and moving around and they're going to bring in a quality coach and they're going to recruit. I think what they're doing, it's a splash hire for sure. It's going to cause a lot of excitement around Monroe, I think."
Troy coach Chip Lindsey
"Terry Bowden is a legend and he's been in the game a long time. His lineage is pretty good I would say, and that was definitely impressive. He's going to create some excitement there, and he's always been good on offense.
"Then he goes out and hires Rich Rodriguez. When I was a high school coach early on in my career, he was at Clemson. He was the first guy to spread it out and do some interesting things that everybody does now. It was neat watching them do that. I remember when he was at Tulane doing it with Shaun King and those guys. They've definitely raised the level of excitement, I would say. I'm sure they'll do a great job recruiting. It's an exciting time for that university and fan base."
University of Louisiana Lafayette coach Billy Napier
"I certainly have a lot of respect for Coach Bowden. I think his family is near to me as a result of working for Tommy (Bowden). Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and Coach Bobby Bowden, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
"In general, there's a wealth of knowledge. Terry has had unique experiences when you look at his resume. Certainly, ULM is a place that is very capable. Look at the history of the school and things that have been accomplished, the signature wins that they've had and the brand of football they've been able to play.
"One of the impressive things is the staff he's been able to put together. I think he's got a good mix of veterans to go along with some good young, hungry recruiters. They're slowly but surely adding players, kind of under the radar. They're going to improve their personnel and have a fresh start. One of the things it seems, is that the administration, the local community, the investors and people who can contribute are getting on board. That's what it takes. It takes the president having a vision, it takes the AD executing the plan and it takes the local community and investors getting behind the program and giving them the resources. Only time will tell, but certainly they have a great group of coaches and pedigree that comes with the name. It's certainly always a knockdown, drag out when we play."
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July 27, 2021 at 08:23AM
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Enemy Lines 2021: Sun Belt Foes Sound Off on ULM Football - University of Louisiana Monroe Athletics - ULM Warhawks
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