Mr. Oakes,
I hope all is going well for you and wish you a Merry Christmas. As a die hard Tech fan and alumni, it bothers me of a situation that we are in. For the last several years I have watched our football program decline. From rumors, I hear that you wanted to let Coach Bicknell go last year but he ended up staying. I can see where we were not financially stable enough to buy out his contract after another embarrassing season last season. But this past season, after the Tulsa victory, he made a few quotes. Here they are exactly.
"I am one fired up son of a gun right now," said Bicknell, with a smile as wide as the Red River creasing his face. "I'm as happy as I've ever been in my whole life - after my kids being born. This is the happiest I've been in athletics. I'm not kidding around."
"I'll tell you what, there's pressure to win games," Bicknell said flatly. "We had to win some games, so this makes you feel good."
My first question is how can we continue to let him work for Louisiana Tech when he makes a comment like that? Do you realize the magnitude of that comment? He has beat #17 Fresno St. this past season, beat Mich St, beat Alabama, beat Ok. St, was the center in the Doug Flutie pass, but yet beating a horrible 2-8 Tulsa team, he says "This is the happiest I've been in athletics. I'm not kidding around." He should be fired for a comment like that. Call me crazy, but a person in his position(D-1 head football coach) should not be employed after such a stupid and I mean stupid comment.
My 2nd question is what is our long range plan for Louisiana Tech Athletics? I know you probably hear that all of the time. Where do you see Tech Athletic sin 3 year, 7 years, 10 years? What about our facilities? Where will they be in 3,7,10 years?
By the way, Coach Wade Simoneaux is making progress. That was a great hire. I hope he stays for a long time.I'm hoping for a .500 season this year. Next season .666 will happen. He is one of the few bright lights right now in Louisiana Tech Athletics. Thanks for your time, I'm looking forward to your answers.
Bubbe Day - 1999
Lafayette, LA
I will let ya'll know when I get an answer.