The Administration Supports Bustle

The University of Louisiana's Administration announced on Monday its commitment to head football coach Rickey Bustle and his staff. The University expressed its support of Coach Bustle as the leader of the Ragin'Cajuns football program.

After what can only be described as a very disappointing football season for the football staff and fans, coach Rickey Bustle received a vote of confidence from Louisiana Athletic Director David Walker. Walker commented on the challenges Coach Bustle and his staff have faced in turning a losing program into a consistent winner in the Sun Belt.

“The University believes that Coach Bustle is the right coach to lead our program,” said Cajuns athletics director David Walker. “The administration understands the disappointment of this season, but Coach Bustle and his staff have raised the standards by which our football program is judged and, therefore,the expectations."

Walker also spoke about the continued commitment to give Coach Bustle the funding and facilities improvements to move the football program forward.

“The fan support, as well as the financial support, for Cajuns football continues to grow, and the University is very optimistic and excited about the future. The addition of the indoor practice facility and plans for more facility improvements will allow the program to continue to attract quality student-athletes."

“The Administration is committed to supporting Coach Bustle and our football program, and we are very excited about our potential for success.”

The Administration and Coach Bustle feel that this football team was few plays away from having a winning season.

The football team was a handful of plays away from capturing home games vs. Ohio, Florida Atlantic and Louisiana-Monroe and winning six games to become bowl eligible.

“Our coaching staff is excited about the future and direction that the program is going,” said Bustle.

“The caliber of student-athletes that we’ve been able to recruit in the last three years has played a big part in our academic success and youth movement on the field."

The Administration also spoke of the improvement in the APR score, which is mandated by the NCAA.

The Cajuns football team established a record high grade-point-average in the Spring 2005 semester and then beat that record during the Spring 2007 semester. In addition, the football program increased its APR from 890 to 945.

“The administration’s support will help us continue to move the program forward in the right direction.”