Sycamores fire Lou West after 1-25 record, rehire former coach Raetz

[IndyTreeFan]

Check this link out...

http://www.tribstar.com/local/local_story_267123642.html

[Medium Fish]

That would be my guess...we'll know for sure in about 90 minutes.

I was actually holding out some hope on Saturday, as I heard the cannon (or whatever it is) go off a few times while I was at the youth football games.

[ISUCC]

could also be the elimination of FB at ISU, we'll know in 90 minutes. this should be quite interesting.

[Jason Svoboda]

Moving to another position? What?

[IndyTreeFan]

Moving to another position? What?

I suppose that's a way to put a band-aid on the program (i.e. stop the bleeding, maybe) that doesn't cost ISU a contract buyout. Whatever, I'm glad we've got an AD with some serious balls! You don't often see ISU can a coach in the middle of the season...:bigsmile:

[xfactor9600]

Maybe since they upgraded the Basketball staff, they've decided to take an early look at the Football Team?

[Jason Svoboda]

Dennis Raetz? Okay, this is just too weird.

[BankShot]

Dennis Raetz...? My confidence in RP has been sliced in half, given his inherent sellout to the ISU good ol' boy network on this matter, which is backsliding at best. Raetz is PART of the problem, not part of the solution. Sic.

[xfactor9600]

So is Raetz just going to coach out the season or is he back in the saddle?

[Jason Svoboda]

So is Raetz just going to coach out the season or is he back in the saddle?
The article says he is interim, but his involvement in the program again is just is a bit odd to me. The last time I saw Raetz was at the MVC Hoops tourney in St. Louis and... well, nevermind.

[xfactor9600]

I meant to edit this in... i realize the article says he will stay for just this year, but is it possible he becomes a more permanent option if he posts a few W's?

[IndyTreeFan]

I meant to edit this in... i realize the article says he will stay for just this year, but is it possible he becomes a more permanent option if he posts a few W's?

According to the paper's website, Raetz is the interim head coach, and a national search for a new coach will begin immediately. I can kinda see where RP is going with this. He HAD to do something about the football program, and turning it over to West's staff probably didn't make the statement he wanted. To me, this signals a break from the past, albeit with a return to the past for the next 7 games. You'll see a whole new staff at ISU next year.

At this point, Prettyman has earned the right for us to give him the benefit of the doubt that he knows what he's doing. So, I'll trust him...

[BlueSycamore]

I totally disagree with the bad move on Prettyman's part comment. This is an interim move and a smart one, un-retiring a retired coach to finish the season. This team is going nowhere fast and might, and I say might, find their way to actually beat someone. Can now get a jump-start on finding a new coach and keeping the program going, although I am not a proponent of that. I would go non-scholly and compete with the Drake's, etc.........just one man's opinion.

[jmoore]

Indiana State University Director of Athletics Ron Prettyman this afternoon (Sept. 24) announced that head football coach Lou West has been relieved of his duties effective immediately. He will be reassigned within the University. Former head coach Dennis Raetz will take over on an interim basis.

?I appreciate Lou?s dedication to his players and his staff along his efforts to enhance our program over the last three years. With that being said, I have not seen progress in the football program that we had
all hoped for, and we will make a change.?

West was 1-25 in two plus seasons at the helm of the Sycamores, suffering a 54-20 loss at home to Eastern Illinois last Saturday night. The Sycamores are currently 0-4 on the season.

Raetz last roamed the sidelines for the Sycamores in 1997, guiding ISU to 94 wins in 18 seasons. He recently retired as Associate Director of Athletics at ISU in June of this year. He helped guide the Sycamores to a No. 1 national ranking in 1983 and 1984, and is currently scouting for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He takes over the program Tuesday.

Prettyman says a national search for a replacement will begin immediately.

Raetz and the Sycamores return to action Saturday afternoon when they open up Gateway Football Conference play, hosting Southern Illinois. Kickoff is slated for Noon (EST).

[SCollie76]

I don't know if it will help!

[bluestreak]

The criticism of RP is premature. This is an interim solution only, and given the financial constraints on the entire athletic department, it was the best move RP could make. The ISU coaching staff was clearly outmatched, in recruiting as well as in-game coaching.

[Jason Svoboda]

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Indiana State fired football coach LouWest on Monday and rehired as interim coach the man who led theSycamores to their last winning season ...

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[Sycamore75]

I personaly think this is a great move by RP. The popular belief is that ISU doesn't care about the football program and doesn't want it to be succesful. This sends a clear message that the the university is commited to trying to turn football around. Wether it'll actualy help or not is to be seen but it's a good message.

[ISUCC]

I guess we can only sit back and watch to see what transpires. Will ISU put the $$ into building a solid FB program or not?? It sounds like RP wants to, but can he?? It's a million dollar question.

I agree with Raetz coming back, RP has no money to pay anyone else and more than likely ISU is going to lose the next 7 games anyway, so why spend alot of money on a new coach now when he can research and hopefully get a good hire?

either way, I think it will be a few yrs. before ISU is competitive in the GFC.


I personaly think this is a great move by RP. The popular belief is that ISU doesn't care about the football program and doesn't want it to be succesful. This sends a clear message that the the university is commited to trying to turn football around. Wether it'll actualy help or not is to be seen but it's a good message.

[jmoore]

What I've heard is ISU hired Raetz to only finish out the ISU football season...