Baseball: Robichaux received bonuses for UL’s big season – Deggs willing to listen to SHSU

Tim Buckley, The Advertiser, June 16, 2014

UL coach Tony Robichaux made some bonus cash thanks to the 58-10 Ragin’ Cajuns 2014 run, which ended last Monday with a Super Regional loss to Ole Miss.

Robichaux’s current contract, last revised in 2010 and running through the end of June 2015, pays $120,000 annually.

But he picked up an extra $15,000 in incentive-based supplemental compensation for getting the Cajuns to the NCAA Tournament’s Super Regional round.

Robichaux would have earned only an extra $10,000 had UL won the Sun Belt Conference’s regular-season title, which it did, but not gotten to a Super Regional.

Had UL won the Super Regional and advanced to the ongoing College World Series, he would have picked up an extra $5,000 above the $15,000 – plus $5,000 more, capping out at $25,000, had the Cajuns won it all.

Among other bonuses written into the deal, Robichaux also earned $3,000 for being named Sun Belt Coach of the Year.

UL’s Deggs willing to listen to SHSU

UL assistant coach Matt Deggs has been contacted by Sam Houston State regarding its vacant head coaching position.

"I’m gonna listen to what they have to say," Deggs said Saturday night.

Deggs said he planned to soon "visit" with the Bobkats over the phone.

SHSU recently lost head coach David Pierce to Tulane.

Pierce replaces longtime Green Wave coach Rick Jones, who according to NOLA.com "retired after this season because of health issues."

UALR coach Norwood resigns

After six seasons at the school, Arkansas-Little Rock coach Scott Norwood resigned last week "to pursue other opportunities."

The Arkansas Democrat Gazette reported that Norwood’s resignation came "10 days after UALR’s Department of Human Resources completed an investigation into his conduct brought on by accusations made by former assistant coach Cole Gordon."

According to the newspaper: "In a formal complaint to UALR filed after he resigned April 21, Gordon accused Norwood of physical and sexual harassment. Norwood was not disciplined by the school, however, after UALR’s investigation found the allegations to be ‘without merit’ and the investigation was ‘considered closed.’ "

On Friday, Deadspin.com posted an audio recording in which a coach identified by the website as Norwood dresses down his team with a profanity-laced tirade following a 1-0 win over Southeast Missouri State last Feb. 18.

According to Deadspin, "(A) UALR player we emailed with … said this audio tape is representative of the coach’s behavior in the locker room following most games, and that Norwood regularly mocked and belittled players with the knowledge that those players could not talk back."

ULM’s Peddie under one-year contract

Earlier this month, it was reported by the Monroe News Star that a public records request shows new UL Monroe head coach Bruce Peddie was given only a one-year contract for next season.

Peddie’s base salary will be $80,000, according to the report.

The ex-University of New Orleans head coach replaced Jeff Schexnaider, who was fired during the season. Peddie, who had been working as a ULM assistant, had his "interim" tag removed late last March.

According to the newspaper, ULM athletic director Brian Wickstrom "adamantly asked The News-Star to not write the substance of the public document and when asked just for a reason on the one-year deal, he directed questions to president Dr. Nick Bruno.

‘Don’t throw me under the bus because I value my job,’ Wickstrom shouted before saying he had another call and hanging up."

The News-Star also reported that Wickstrom said the school didn’t want it released because if brought to light by the media the one-year contract would hurt recruiting. But Bruno, the paper reported, said he didn’t "buy" that it would.

— Compiled by Tim Buckley