Louisiana State players try to pick up and recover from loss of red coach DiNardo

BATON ROUGE, La. (U-WIRE) - He is the only coach you've ever have had in college. When he recruited you, he promised Southeastern Conference championships and bowl appearances.

What happens when all that changes?

As much as they might not admit it, Louisiana State players have been dreading Monday's news for the past two months now.

"Things just weren't going well, it was just one of those kinds of seasons," said defensive lineman Johnny Mitchell. "Everybody's disappointed. I think we just didn't put things together."

The team had the day off from practice, but Mitchell and running back Rondell Mealey were available for comment.

AP PHOTO Too many poor defeats this season cost Louisiana State coach Gerry DiNardo his job, despite his reputation for being a players' coach.

Mitchell, a senior defensive captain, said playing under Gerry DiNardo was rewarding because he prepared you, not only for each game, but for life off the field.

"Most people don't understand him [DiNardo], until they have finished playing for him," he said. "He prepares you for the real world and I appreciate that."

Mitchell said he was unaware of Monday's news, before he saw television trucks and reporters waiting next to the Athletic Administration building and realized something was up.

Athletic Director Joe Dean said the day off was unfortunate for the team, but did say assistant coaches visited with players during the press conference to make players aware of what was taking place.

At Monday's press conference Chancellor Mark Emmert thanked DiNardo for caring so much about each player and said he felt for the difficulties the team has had to go through this season.

"They've worked very very hard and put in enormous hours, but they haven't been getting the success they want," Emmert said.

Mitchell said the Tigers have to remain focused on the last game of the year in two weeks against Arkansas, despite the absence of DiNardo.

"Each individual has to play for pride," he said. "It's like getting into a fight - you want to win."

Mealey, another senior captain, said the way Louisiana State has played this season has rattled him.

"It's disappointing when you're going out there and giving it your all and everybody's not going out there giving 100 percent," Mealey said. "And if one or two guys do it, it shows and it's embarrassing that we are not doing a great job out there."

He said he was disappointed the circumstances could not have been different and hoped DiNardo could get another chance.

Mealey said he did not get the feeling from other players that there was any tension between them and DiNardo.

"Coach is a good coach and the only thing to complain about is how hard he is on us," he said. "He likes to work his team hard to get us ready for the game."

Mealey said the Tigers had plenty of opportunities to win games this year, but ended up with a loss because certain plays were not made.

He said he has been riding the roller coaster with DiNardo, in the early years of his success, to the past two season's failures.

"It's been a rocky one. When you're winning everybody's behind you and when you start losing you're the worst coach in the world."

Emmert stressed for Tiger fans everywhere to stick by this team during this time of transition, and to continue to support them as new faces look to bring back 1995's magic.

"One of the elements in making this decision is to make sure we can put them [players] in a position to win and be successful," he said.

Mealey said he wondered how much of the decision was prompted by fans' opinions and the constant booing heard at each game.

"It's hard to swallow right now," Mealey said. "It's not easy because I've been here so long with this coach and now he is gone."

11-18-99