Athletic Director Skip Bertman’s firing of former LSU coach John Brady did not seem to surprise many LSU fans who are welcoming the change in leadership with open arms. “I was actually glad he got fired,” said Aaron Johnston, construction management freshman. “I figured it was time for a new coach.” Johnston, a Baton Rouge native, said it was time for a change but does not think Brady over-stayed his welcome. “I would say he had enough time,” Johnston said. “They should see what a new coach can do.” The Tigers are on pace to finish in last place in the Southeastern Conference Western Division for the second consecutive year. LSU finished in last place in the West four times in Brady’s 10 full seasons. “[LSU] took their time with it mostly because I know a lot of people couldn’t believe he wasn’t fired after last season,” said Helen Williams, liberal arts senior. “Then he had a couple months this season and went nowhere with it.” Despite Brady’s struggles, he also won the SEC championship twice, earned four NCAA Tournament berths and reached the Final Four in 2006. While firing a coach so shortly after a Final Four trip may be rare, it is not something that seems to phase fans. “If he hadn’t made it to the tournament that year, then he probably would’ve gotten fired that year,” said Matt Guy, LSU alumnus and Tulane graduate student. “I think that would’ve been his last year had he not gone so far in the tournament. Everyone thinks that’s what saved him and gave him a chance to have another two years.” And many fans already know who they want to permanently fill Brady’s shoes. Guy started the Facebook.com group “Bring Bobby Knight to LSU!” on Thursday with a description stating, “LSU will be in need of a new coach very soon. I think this is a match made in heaven.” Knight, who resigned from his head coaching job at Texas Tech on Feb. 4, is the winningest coach in NCAA men’s basketball history with 902 career victories. He won three national championships in 29 years with Indiana. Knight’s 1976 Hoosiers’ national championship team is the most recent team to complete an undefeated season, going 32-0 and defeating Michigan 86-68 in the championship game. “Some people want a young coach who will be able to stick around for a long time, but right now Bobby Knight would be a really good fit,” Guy said. “The program’s in the national spotlight and the head story on ESPN. If Knight came, it would bring the crowds in at least for the first year no matter what the record is.” But fans also said they would support hiring interim coach Butch Pierre permanently if he can prove himself for the rest of this season. “First game head coaching against a good team, a tough ranked team [Tennessee], he showed what he can potentially do,” Johnston said. “I don’t know if it’s being thrown out there, if he’s being looked at as a potential head coach. Bertman said Friday there are no restrictions on a head coach other than the ability to win, and Guy thinks Pierre should have a fair chance at the job. “If [the Tigers] just have more games like they did against Tennessee for the rest of the season, I think Butch Pierre has as good a shot as anyone to get the job,” Guy said. “I wouldn’t have a problem with that. Some people don’t want to hire from within and want to bring in a new face to revitalize the program.”
—-Contact Jerit Roser at [email protected]