Post by 50yardfan on Jul 30, 2011 20:16:30 GMT -5
www.americanpress.com/lc/blogs/wpnewssum/?p=24768
Louisiana Swashbucklers general manager Chris Meaux wanted to make one thing clear in his introductory press conference Thursday — head coach Darnell Lee will return for another season.
Meaux joined the front office two months ago when former Swashbucklers owner Thom Hager sold the team to Dallas businessman Kyle Thorne. Meaux said re-signing Lee was a priority.
“The only way we would have bought the team is if Darnell agreed to come back for next season,” Meaux said. “The terms of that deal we’ll keep confidential, but I think [Lee] is happy with what we offered him.”
Lee has taken the Swashbucklers to five championship games, winning three from 2007-09. He is also the coach of the Northwest High School football team this year since the season does not conflict with the Southern Indoor Football League.
Lee said he was not completely sure the new Swashbucklers ownership would bring him back for another campaign.
“I’m a realist. I believe there’s always that chance there may not be that opportunity for me,” Lee said. “When they talked to me about coming back, it wasn’t even a second thought. I’m ready to get back to work.”
The Swashbucklers lost in the title game the past two seasons, and Lee said an offseason goal is to target the local talent pool in recruiting players.
“McNeese always puts out guys that, being in a I-AA school, get overlooked because of where they play,” Lee said. “That’s been a hidden gem for us, finding those diamonds in the rough … If we have more local players, it will help our chemistry, and we won’t have that revolving door effect we have every season.”
One personnel question raised was how the Swashbucklers will stack up at quarterback. Last season’s starter, Ben McLaughlin, did not play in the championship after leaving to play for Team USA, but Lee said there is no cause for concern.
“We’ve communicated with Ben and said we would have him back if he wants to come back,” Lee said. “We also received a phone call from Alvin Bartie, who quarterbacked us to a couple of championships, saying he’d be ready next year.”
Meaux said the Swashbucklers’ body of work on the field was a major factor in his decision to join Thorne in taking ownership of the team. Meaux said they will also push to implement new pregame and postgame activities during the season to enhance the already strong community involvement around the team.
Louisiana Swashbucklers general manager Chris Meaux wanted to make one thing clear in his introductory press conference Thursday — head coach Darnell Lee will return for another season.
Meaux joined the front office two months ago when former Swashbucklers owner Thom Hager sold the team to Dallas businessman Kyle Thorne. Meaux said re-signing Lee was a priority.
“The only way we would have bought the team is if Darnell agreed to come back for next season,” Meaux said. “The terms of that deal we’ll keep confidential, but I think [Lee] is happy with what we offered him.”
Lee has taken the Swashbucklers to five championship games, winning three from 2007-09. He is also the coach of the Northwest High School football team this year since the season does not conflict with the Southern Indoor Football League.
Lee said he was not completely sure the new Swashbucklers ownership would bring him back for another campaign.
“I’m a realist. I believe there’s always that chance there may not be that opportunity for me,” Lee said. “When they talked to me about coming back, it wasn’t even a second thought. I’m ready to get back to work.”
The Swashbucklers lost in the title game the past two seasons, and Lee said an offseason goal is to target the local talent pool in recruiting players.
“McNeese always puts out guys that, being in a I-AA school, get overlooked because of where they play,” Lee said. “That’s been a hidden gem for us, finding those diamonds in the rough … If we have more local players, it will help our chemistry, and we won’t have that revolving door effect we have every season.”
One personnel question raised was how the Swashbucklers will stack up at quarterback. Last season’s starter, Ben McLaughlin, did not play in the championship after leaving to play for Team USA, but Lee said there is no cause for concern.
“We’ve communicated with Ben and said we would have him back if he wants to come back,” Lee said. “We also received a phone call from Alvin Bartie, who quarterbacked us to a couple of championships, saying he’d be ready next year.”
Meaux said the Swashbucklers’ body of work on the field was a major factor in his decision to join Thorne in taking ownership of the team. Meaux said they will also push to implement new pregame and postgame activities during the season to enhance the already strong community involvement around the team.