FB: American Southwest Conference

[Kelly Boggs]

Everyone have a meaningful Christmas: the manger + the cross + the empty tomb = salvation available for all.

[Toby Taff]

First chance to post today sp let me say Merry Christmas to all.

[Ralph Turner]

First chance to post today sp let me say Merry Christmas to all.

Mele Kalikimaka   

[wesleydad]

roocru and crualum39, it was great seeing you guys at the stagg this year, especially with the crappy weather, sure dont see that in texas much do you.  nice meeting the ladies, will say that both of you did well.  have a great off season and we shall meet again in salem unless fate brings us together sooner.

[CruGuy]

So I went to the Saskatchewan Rough Rider's site to see what they had to say about Jarrell. They didn't say much but they did have his stats including 15 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 recovered for a td and 25 STT. For the life of me I couldn't figure out what an STT was. I finally browsed around the site enough to realize that it was a special team tackle. Now in America I have never seen special teams tackles recorded seperately, so I'm not sure what a good number would be, but his team only played 22 games. He averaged more than one special teams tackle a game. That sounds pretty impressive to me...

[TigerDad]

Crazy to think how far TLU has fallen. They actually played HSU for the conference championship in 2004 (would have been a three way tie). They couldnt wait to run Tom Mueller out of town when all he had done was string together three consecutive winning seasons. Now three years later they are 0-10, got kids getting warrants instead of diplomas, and are looking for a new coach again. 

Upon reading about the late-night escapades of the boys from Seguin, I offer this end-of-the-decade food for thought from the "Irony Department":

Just had a quick look at TLU's on-line 2009 Football Media Guide ... including this description of Coach Parker's "teaching of character" on page 12:

TLU Head Coach Dennis Parker is an accomplished author and public speaker. He has developed seven curricula on teaching character and has performed more than 100 inservices for training teachers in character education. Parker and his good friend (and former TLU All-American linebacker and state championship football coach for Converse Judson) D.W. Rutledge are the authors of the book "Coaching To Change Lives".

Said legendary Coach Lou Holtz: "Coach Parker has commented that he has never had a player come back to him and say, 'Coach, I want to thank you for teaching me how to throw that football or make that tackle, it changed my life.' But he has had many come back and say to him, 'Coach, remember that story you told and the values you taught me? They changed my life and made me a better person.'"

Since the Bulldogs have been with Parker, they have been exposed to the character development curriculum of Parker and Rutledge. The Bulldogs meet regularly in a classroom setting to discuss character and to discuss ways in which characters shapes everyday decisions and outcomes.

Coach Parker continues to travel around the country to speak about character development and the teaching of character.

"We teach character daily," said Parker. "Years ago I traded end of practice 'preaching' for the beginning of practice 'teaching'. I know this is why we have successful with all kinds of players in very diverse settings."

I do not suggest that Coach Parker is responsible for the recent arrests and suspensions of the now-former Bulldog football players and student coaches.  I believe young men and women are responsible for their own actions and should reap the benefits or consequences of such. 

Rather, I simply offer this "in his own words" observation of the results of the program described.  Teachers and leaders (including coaches) are often measured not by their words or promises, but by the results of their efforts.

In this case, it will be interesting to see how the TLU administration responds and the choices they make next.  This is a program at a crossroads IMHO.

That and $5 will get you a cup of Joe at Starbucks.

Happy New Year, y'all.

[crufootball]

Maybe TLU can convince Mike Leach to come join his former buddy in the ASC and be their coach?

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and has a Happy New Year.

[Ralph Turner]

After the Alamo bowl, I caught the on-field post-game interview of Texas Tech's interim head coach Ruffin McNeill.

I hope that someone has "you-tubed" that interview for those of you who did not see it.

You just have to like the guy.  He seems to be a real straight shooter, full of humility and sincerity.  He has been loyal to the Tech system over the last decade, and has responded to each opportunity for increased responsibility with more success.

It is clear to me that he earned the job last night.  I hope that he gets it.

[Warren Thompson]

Maybe TLU can convince Mike Leach to come join his former buddy in the ASC and be their coach?

Have the powers-that-be in Seguin given any thought to pulling the plug on football?

[Ralph Turner]

Maybe TLU can convince Mike Leach to come join his former buddy in the ASC and be their coach?

Have the powers-that-be in Seguin given any thought to pulling the plug on football?

I have not heard of that has been considered.  I think that they are having too much success with the program over the last decade for them to consider discontinuing football.  It would be a considerable factor in enrollment.

If their financial picture is similar to the other schools in the conference, football is almost the difference in profitability for the school, just by virtue of the number of students that it brings.

[Bill McCabe]

I agree Ralph.  TLU lost male enrollment when they eliminated football.  I don't think it would be a very good idea.

[Ron Boerger]

TLU announces that Danny Padron, current coach of San Antonio O'Connor HS, will be the school's next head football coach.

Father of former UMHB QB Andy Padron.

[roocru]

TLU announces that Danny Padron, current coach of San Antonio O'Connor HS, will be the school's next head football coach.

Father of former UMHB QB Andy Padron.

This should be a great hire.  Danny is a quality human being as well a a fine coach!  I expect him to do a great job!

[Bill McCabe]

Danny is a class guy and a very good football coach.

[crufootball]

Think there is any chance his son will join his staff at TLU as well?