Football: Bustle out as Cajuns’ coach

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • November 28, 2010

MONROE — UL Athletic Director David Walker informed football coach Rickey Bustle on Friday that he would not return for the final year of his contract, a source with knowledge of the situation told The Daily Advertiser.

 

The source requested anonymity because the university plans to make the official announcement during a press conference at noon Monday. UL Sports Information Director Daryl Cetnar confirmed there will be a press conference at that time but did not specify the reason for it.

Walker planned to tell Bustle of the move Monday after meeting with university president E. Joseph Savoie on Sunday, the source said, but that time table was moved up so he could inform his assistant coaches about the decision.

Two other sources, who also requested anonymity, said Bustle informed his assistants of the move Friday night before telling his players after UL’s 23-22 season-finale win Saturday over ULM. Bustle posted a 41-65 overall record in nine years with the Cajuns, including a 3-9 mark this year.

"I’m going to go and talk to the football team now," Bustle said immediately after the game. "And we’ll see (what happens)."

Bustle declined further comment Saturday night after speaking with his players and coaches.

Previously the long-time offensive coordinator at Virginia Tech, Bustle arrived at UL prior to the 2002 season after coach Jerry Baldwin went 6-27 from 1999-2001. Bustle clinched a share of the 2005 Sun Belt title after going 6-5 and also won six games in ’06, ’08 and ’09 but never earned a bowl bid.

Last December, he received a one-year contract extension through the end of the 2011 season, but his buyout was more than cut in half to $100,000. A losing record this season convinced UL’s administrators it was time to cut ties with Bustle.

Former Cajun quarterback Michael Desormeaux, now an assistant football coach at Catholic High of New Iberia, spoke about that development on his way back to Lafayette on Saturday night.

"I’m very sorry for coach Bustle," said Desormeaux, whose younger brother, Matt, was a senior fullback for the Cajuns this season. "I think he did a great job of advancing our program from where it was, and I am certain he will land on his feet. He is a great person and someone I consider to be a friend, so I truly feel for him and his family. Unfortunately, this is an ugly part of the business."

Immediately following Saturday’s game, various Cajun players said they did not know what would happen to Bustle and their coaches.

"I’m not going to say anything about the coaching situation because that’s not my concern," said redshirt freshman safety Cooper Gerami. "I’m a player, and I’m here to play. I will say this: These coaches here are great men. They’ve taught me great things, and I’m never going to forget what they’ve taught me."

Amid the uncertainty, other players heaped praise on their coaches before learning about the change from Bustle himself.

"These coaches put their hearts in the game, and they gave us everything that they had," said sophomore defensive end Emeka Onyenekwu. "I love our coaches. They’ve given us everything to try to put us in the right situation."

Freshman tailback Aaron Spikes spoke specifically about Bustle.

"He’s a hell of a coach," Spikes said. "He helped coach us to victory today. Without him, I don’t think we’d pull that out. If this was his last game it means a lot to send him out with a win."