Looking back: New coaches, spring success top Ragin’ Cajun moments of 2010

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • December 26, 2010

Only a few days remain in what has been one of the most eventful years for UL athletics in recent memory.

Some were good moments, including postseason appearances by the baseball and softball teams. Other news was heart-breaking, such as the untimely deaths of former football coach Nelson Stokley, ex-women’s basketball coach J. Kelley Hall and former football standout Kenyon Cotton.

Before the final hours tick off the clock and we officially change the calendar, here’s my look back at the top 10 moments for the Ragin’ Cajuns in 2010 and what to watch for in 2011. You probably won’t agree with all of my choices, but it might give you something else to discuss with your family and friends over the holidays.

Here are the Top 10 moments from 2010:

Bustle out,Hudspeth in

This college football season marked the end of one era and the start of another as the university bought out the final year of Rickey Bustle’s contract in late November after the Cajuns went 3-9 this season. Bustle won six games four times but never earned a bowl bid and posted a 41-65 overall record and 31-33 mark in Sun Belt Conference play over nine years.

UL then hired former Mississippi State receivers coach/passing game coordinator Mark Hudspeth, who went 66-20 as North Alabama’s head coach from 2002-08, in mid-December to lead the program. Hudspeth got a five-year deal worth $360,000 annually. The Cajuns recently picked up a four-star quarterback in University of Houston transfer Terrance Broadway, perhaps a sign of big things to come under Hudspeth on the recruiting trail.

Marlin replaces Lee

Back in March, the UL men’s basketball team completed its fifth consecutive non-winning season at 13-17. That led to the university declining to renew the contract of Robert Lee, who had an on-court record of 80-100 and one NCAA tournament appearance in six years at the helm.

Bob Marlin accepted the job at the end of March after going 225-131 with two NCAA tournament berths in 12 years at Sam Houston State. Marlin received a five-year contract worth $275,000 annually. The Cajuns started 2-9 in Marlin’s first season, but there’s still optimism that he will get the program back on track.

Second-half surge

After a sluggish start, UL’s baseball team went 23-4 during the second half of the regular season to win a share of the Sun Belt title and earn its first NCAA Regional berth since 2007. The Cajuns, which played on new artificial turf last season at M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field, received an at-large berth as the No. 3 seed in the Austin Regional and upset No. 2 seed Rice before being eliminated.

Tony Robichaux was named the ABCA South Central Region Coach of the Year and later earned a four-year contract extension with an increase in annual base salary to $120,000 (a raise of $16,000). Three Cajuns — pitchers Zach Osborne (ninth round, Rangers) and Dayton Marze (14th round, Blue Jays) and catcher Chad Keefer (28th round, Marlins) — were drafted over the summer.

Back to Super Regionals

It was another successful season for the Cajun softball team, which won the Sun Belt regular-season and conference tournament and NCAA Baton Rouge Regional (with a win over LSU and two vs. Texas A&M). UL (45-18) lost to eventual national champion UCLA in the Los Angeles Super Regional and was ranked in both top 25 polls at the end of the year.

The coaching staff was named the best in the Central Region by the NFCA. Senior outfielder Vallie Gaspard and sophomore outfielder Christi Orgeron were first-team Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Region selections. Junior pitcher Donna Bourgeois, a second-team all-region pick, transferred to Houston after the fall semester and will be eligible to play there in 2011. The Cajuns made numerous improvements to their stadium in the fall.

Major individual honors

UL senior forward Tyren Johnson was the Sun Belt and All-Louisiana Player of the Year and an honorable mention Associated Press All-American. Junior tight end Ladarius Green was a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award and an All-American by CBSSports.com (second team) and Phil Steele (fourth team). Senior pitcher Zach Osborne was a third-team ABCA/Rawlings Sporting Goods All-American and All-Louisiana Pitcher of the Year.

Plenty of changes

Two familiar faces in the UL athletic department announced their upcoming retirements. Athletic director David Walker will retire effective January after more than 30 years at the university and the past five in his current position. Director of athletic training John Porche plans to retire at the end of the athletic season after 29 years at UL. Head strength and conditioning coach Rob Phillips left after five years with the Cajuns for the same job at Tulane. He was replaced by Rusty Whitt, a served with the U.S. Army from 2003-09 before 1 1/2 years as Rice’s assistant coordinator of strength and conditioning.

Women represent

While football season was going on, UL’s volleyball and soccer teams enjoyed solid campaigns. The volleyball team posted its best season in eight years at 17-16 and advanced to the Sun Belt tournament for the first time since 2002. The soccer team went 10-11 for the program’s first 10-win season in school history. Women’s tennis advanced to the semifinals of the Sun Belt tournament.

On the track

UL men’s track and field finished third at the indoor conference meet with high-jumper Antwain Keyes, pole-vaulter Chris Roy, hurdler Louis Stevens and triple-jumper O’Daylon Thibeaux winning their events. Roy tied for seventh at the NCAA Indoor Championships. The men were fourth at the outdoor meet as Thibeaux and shot-put thrower Myles Melancon shared Sun Belt Freshman of the Year honors.

From the tee

UL’s golf team placed fourth at the Sun Belt Championships, and sophomore Philip Fendt tied for sixth at the event. Fendt advanced to the NCAA South Central Regional, won the Austrian National Open and finished in the top 20 at the World Amateur Team Championships. Sophomore Andrew Noto was second at the 91st Louisiana Golf Association Amateur Championship.

New faces

After barely two years as the UL head track coach, Charlie Mahfouz stepped down in October citing health issues. He was named the men’s coach of the year at the 2010 indoor conference meet. A new hire has yet to be announced. Tina Samara spent two years as the UL women’s tennis coach before taking the same job at West Virginia in September. Her replacement has yet to be made.

Top 10 Questions for 2011

How will the football players respond to new coach Mark Hudspeth in spring drills and next fall?

Who will win key position battles — especially at quarterback — in spring drills under a new coach?

Will Hudspeth provide enough of a boost to get UL into a bowl game for the first time since 1970?

What kind of progress will the men’s basketball team show under new coach Bob Marlin?

Who will be the new athletic director, head athletic trainer and head track and women’s tennis coach?

Can women’s basketball coach Errol Rogers win enough in the second half to earn a new contract?

Who will be the new leaders — notably on the mound — for the baseball team this season?

Will softball pitcher Ashley Brignac be able to bounce back from past shoulder problems?

Can the volleyball and soccer teams build on their success in 2010 for next season?

Will the key players in all sports be able to reverse the recent curse and manage to stay healthy?

Joshua Parrott can be reached at 337-289-6318 and jparrott@theadvertiser.com.