Great story chief. Dale is about so much more then basketball. I was always so impressed that he knew his role as a public figure yet never acted like he was too important to talk to everyday people. He came from poverty and never forgot it. I think it was the one thing that bonded him to so many of his players. Stories like yours are some of the many reasons why I will always support him.

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Posted by NC_Tigah

Make Orwell Fiction Again

Member since Sep 2003

136810 posts

Posted on 1/24/09 at 3:58 pm to JHE1967

quote:
quote:
Lester Earl came clean
Somehow I managed to miss this. Can someone give me a cliff notes version?

Here you go.

quote:
Ex-LSU player Earl issues apology

. . . NCAA investigators pressured [Lester Earl] into making allegations.

"The NCAA basically told me if they didn't find any 'wrongdoing' that I would only be awarded one year left of my college career," wrote Earl, who arrived at KU in January 1997.

"They said, 'If we don't find any dirt on coach Brown, you won't be allowed to play but one more year at Kansas. ... If we do find out wrongdoing by coach Brown, you will be able to play two and a half more seasons.'"

Earl wrote he told the NCAA "some little things," including that LSU gave him money.

"I was pressured into telling them SOMETHING," Earl wrote.

"I was 19 years old at that time. The NCAA intimidated me, manipulated me into making up things, and basically encouraged me to lie, in order to be able to finish my playing career at Kansas."

Stacey Osborn, a spokeswoman for the NCAA, said the organization declined comment and stands by the public report on the case issued in 1998.

"Stacey Osborn, a spokeswoman for the NCAA, said the organization declined comment and stands by the public report on the case issued in 1998."

Sounds like Brown had it about right when he compared them to the Gestapo. Does it not?

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Posted by JHE1967

Member since Nov 2005

404 posts

Posted on 1/24/09 at 4:02 pm to NC_Tigah

Damn. Thanks for posting that. Did the 5K or whatever payment to Earl really happen?

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Posted by VABCHTIGER

South Boston, VA

Member since Sep 2007

360 posts

Posted on 1/24/09 at 4:40 pm to specs1

You can't have been around before Dale Brown became LSU's coach - He may not be a "saint", but to say he's a lunatic and his total impact on LSU basketball was at best neutral is just disregarding history.

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Posted by lsuexpert57

Back Brusly

Member since Oct 2008

1644 posts

Posted on 1/24/09 at 6:07 pm to VABCHTIGER

X's and O's coaching ability is the most overrated aspect of college basketball. Dale was never the most respected strategic coach, even by a fan of his by me. Success in CB, more than just about any other sport is almost totally dependant on recruiting.

There were probably 20 other coaches that came and went in the SEC during his tenure at LSU that could outcoach Dale Brown once the game started. But more often than not it did them no good because our talent was so much more superior. All those "good" coaches didn't come close to duplicating LSU's success in terms of SEC championships and successful NCAA tournament runs.

I gladly paid the price of a ticket to go and see mega talents like Shaq, Jackson, Randy Livingston, Ronnie Henderson, et al. He could recruit guys to LSU that everyone else wanted but couldn't get. That was his genius and I'll take that any day over watching a team of well coached, but under talented players.

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Posted by DaSaltyTiger

Alexandria/Pineville, LA area

Member since Dec 2004

4689 posts

Posted on 1/24/09 at 6:41 pm to lsuexpert57

Like everyone else, Dale Brown had/has his positives and shortcomings. However, one of the things I have learned about the man over the years is that he is an authentic human being. You might not agree with everything he says or does, but he is consistent and sincere. In terms of coaching, while every program is going to have its ups and downs, the guy could not have been to big of a frick-up as a coach when you consider his wins as well as his trips to the NCAA Tourneys. Granted, at the end of his career he was probably burned out, but that can be said for a lot of folks nearing the end of their careers. As to X'S and O's, assistant coaches have a role to play in that, too. The other thing you have to keep in mind is that the night that the opposing team is having just might have something to do with your gameplan. Winning and losing is not as simple as it seems. But back to Dale Brown - he certain has my respect any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

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