thebruce

Well, well, isn't that the pot calling the kettle black

Defensively, most nights you can expect the Irish to move well to the football. They will be considerably smaller but they rarely shy away from contact. On the other side, expect to see a very inconsistent, unconfident, and much too pressing offense. Graham or someone else may make a few plays here and there, but Father Ryan does a very poor job in keeping the drive alive. There are way too many three and outs with this team. But yes they have switched to a wing-t offense this year. So in all likeliness, the defensive will spend the majority of the time on the field. Also from what I understand there is a growing sense of futility, or even apathy, from many of the players who just want the season the be over with. Psychologically they are very much disadvantaged as the method the coaches use of empahsizing the fact that they are the underdogs makes the players less motivated. Even playing JPII, there is liitle excitement among the players. Quite honestly, they're more concerned about what they are going to be doing after the game than the game itself.

I understand that it is need based, but I know parents with kids at the parochial schools, who are exceptional athletes, but can't afford to send them to Ryan. These are the kids Father Ryan should be going after. But again, I think the "financial aid" thing for athletes is ridiculous. The situation has gotten out of control if you ask me. Let's not forget the recent MBA scandal. MBA was unfortunate in getting caught, but I doubt occurrences like that are only going on at MBA... Bowers was probably sweating bulletes over there at Ensworth when that story broke out. And don't tell me it's all in the name of giving underprivileged kids a good education. It's all about the athletic endeavors of the school.

All very good points. However, I dont believe the best way to get it back is to recruit/give scholarships on the level ensworth, mba, and ba do. In my opinion, recruiting at the high level is outrageous anyway.In Father Ryan's case, they're recruiting these kids that have no connection to the school or have any sense of its tradition. Then to compensate for these kids getting a free ride, the tuition is raised which places a stress on some of large Catholic families that send their kids there.If they're going to recruit athletes, at least go after the ones from these feeder schools who are deciding to go elsewhere.

looks like its deja vu all over again for bruce lussier... or should i say bruce "loser"

It seems to me that the core of the problem is that Lussier does not develop good relationships with his players. They do not respect the man and he is often the butt of many jokes around campus(even with some faculty). Also the reason the parents show such frustration with him is that he hardly communicates with the parents at all. Yes I will say that Coach Lussier puts in a lot of time to what he does, but he has little to show for it in the 7 or 8 years he has been there. Patrick Swayze needs to come in and clean house like he does in the movie and tell Bruce that its nothing personal, but "take the train".

It's not so much the wins and losses but the the politics of the program... and it goes beyond the football program

Waste indeed. Father Ryan just doesnt seem to be the school it once was. In my opinion its gone to heck in a hand basket.

I have heard these rumors as well. My sources tell me that there is much internal tension within the frhs coaching staff and administration. I do believe that Lussier still has some time left on his contract... much to the chagrin of the Irish alumni and parents. It seems unlikely that a move will be made before the end of the season, but i think Lussier's days at Ryan are numbered. I have heard no news on any possible contenders for the position. Perhaps Mr. Carrell can pay enough to entice Bowers to come over from Ensworth