At this juncture, it is impossible to conceive that Steve Kragthorpe will coach another season at U of L. However, I cannot believe that Tom Jurich would let him go before the season is over, or that SK would “resign” mid-season.
I had a conversation this afternoon with a person highly placed within U of L’s Athletic Department. While this person certainly maintained the company line, it is my distinct impression from our conversation that Tom Jurich’s private posture regarding his disappointing selection as coach is different from his public stance. My source advised that “Tom will do the right thing.” The person also pointed out that he has to express “public support as long as Kragthorpe is coach.”
The source also indicated the obvious, that the worse it gets for the team this year the easier it will be for the school to pull the plug.
I came away from the conversation convinced that U of L authorities are as concerned about the situation as the disgruntled fan base is. I also believe that at some point near the end of or immediately after the season, Tom Jurich’s ego will give way to practicality and reason, and that U of L will get a new football coach.
In a peripheral matter, I have heard another bit of information for which I cannot vouch. So take it with a grain of salt. I’m told that a counsel for the university has indicated that the accounting department of the school’s administration has been directed to begin working on a buyout plan for Kragthorpe’s contract.
* * * * *
What is perhaps as stunning as the disenchantment with Steve Kragthorpe is how many Louisville fans I’ve talked with over the course of this season are extremely and vocally unhappy with the Papa John’s experience. Complaints are legion about the excessive drinking and the boorish, aggressive sometimes criminal behavior it engenders, about the incessant commercials seemingly at every single stoppage of play, and the cacophony of loud, abrasive music played over the public address system.
Many long time fans I’ve spoken with have indicated they will not renew their season tickets unless those issues are dealt with . . . immediately. As in . . . by next week’s Homecoming encounter with Southern Miss. More often than not, these fans have mentioned how they’re hoping for a “more collegiate football game atmosphere.”
It’s hard to believe it’s only been 1005 days since Louisville’s Cardinals and their legion of fans were basking in the glow of an Orange Bowl victory.
The kicker is that matters might get worse before they get better.
– Seedy K
8 Comments
Having attended other collegiate football games in the recent past, the stupid commercials, loud music and boring games truly ruin the Louisville fan’s experience. I hope that they are gone and the Athletic Association comes up with another way without raising ticket prices of CAF donations.
To the first part of your article, I hope that the person who spoke to you is right on about replacing Krag. While watching Miami-Oklahoma last night, I got a little sick every time the announcer said that Randy Shannon was doing “it the right way.”
I think Kragthorpe will resign before he gets canned…just to save face for Jurich. That way Jurich can say he supported his coach in every way he could.
It will beome official after we lose our 7th game and are no longer bowl eligible. Even at 6-6 we will not be invited to a bowl because they know the Card fans will not attend.
From what I’ve heard, Krag has been told a coaching search is under way. Unless he pulls off a miracle, he knows he’s done.
I completely agree with the game experience. It’s very embarrassing. I’ve been preaching this for quite some time, even when we were good. I like the intro and some of the third down music, but there’s no really to blare all of that hip hop during timeouts and breaks. Terrible for the school’s image and, no, it doesn’t help recruiting.
from the CARD CHRONICLE:
Former Boston College head coach Jeff Jagodzinski is apparently a legit candidate to be Louisville’s head football coach next season.
A source has told Card Chronicle that third parties between Jagodzinski and U of L are “feeling each other out,” a statement a second source confirmed.
I’m rarely the bearer of inside news and when I am I’m generally not at liberty to share it with the world, but on the few occasions CC has reported “breaking news” (or whatever this is) we’ve been right. Just a mini-disclaimer that I always feels needs to be present somewhere in posts like this.
Jeff Jags . . . hmmm. Now there’s a guy whose done some travelin’ the last year or so. How safe a choice would he be, another guy with his eyes toward the NFL?????
Jagodzinski, yeah right. Somebody is making things up.
from LOUISVILLE SPORTS BUZZ
Report: Kragthorpe Told He’s Done
Published October 7, 2009 Louisville Football , Posted by Rob Jones
Sources very close to the situation have told Louisville Sports Buzz that a meeting took place between the respective camps of both athletic director Tom Jurich and head football coach Steve Kragthorpe on Monday and the news wasn’t too great for the Cards’ much-maligned head-man. Sources say that Jurich informed his friend that his services will not longer be rendered at the university and gave Kragthorpe the option to resign before or following Saturday’s match-up with Southern Miss - or ride out the season a basically a lame-duck.
A press conference could happen as soon as tomorrow, but the basketball luncheon with Rick Pitino is slated so I would be completely shocked if that were to occur. However, Cards fans shouldn’t be surprised if there is an announcement shortly following the game on Saturday. The sources continued to say that regardless of whether Kragthorpe decides to stay the season or resign immediately, some sort of announcement will be made. The latest it would occur is the recurring Monday presser, where Kragthorpe meets with the media. The sources involved are extremely reliable, however I doubt this exact situation will come up. This is just a hunch, but I believe Jurich will handle this in a professional manner such as when Denny Crum was forced to resign shortly after the award-winning AD was hired.
Rumors are rampant about a replacement with John Gruden of Tampa Bay Bucs and Monday Night Football fame being atop most Louisville fans’ wish list. Stay tuned to Louisville Sports Buzz for any new information we recieve about this situation.