LSU just hired a young guy from Norheastern U, middle distances and cross country specialist.

When I looked at the roster and coaching staff, I noticed that long time assistant, Debbie Paris-Thymes, was no longer listed on the coaching staff.

Has Paris-Thymes left LSU? I had not read anything, perused the news segment of the T&F site, nothing.

Anyone know?

Looks like our HC has really upgraded the team and the diversity, events, for the future.

LSU T&F has a storied history and recently there has been a mediocre trend. I hope Shaver brings LSU Track back to the highest levels.

Talent has been there, albeit concentrated in sprints and relays. But we have seriously under performed and the monumental mistakes at key competitions is just incredibly unacceptable.

Thanks.......

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Posted by mistert

Member since Jun 2011

1003 posts

Posted on 7/12/17 at 5:20 pm to mistert

Nobody knows about Debbie Paris-Thymes?

Is she still on LSU T&F Staff?

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Posted by tigerbait2010

PNW

Member since May 2006

29237 posts

Posted on 7/12/17 at 5:48 pm to mistert

I know Stauber and our other middle sprinters threatened to transfer if Robinson wasn't fired. he's a very good coach, but I've heard he's crazy (team has to sprint on Christmas day, etc.)

I don't know anything about Thymes. She's a very good coach. LSU needs to fire Todd Lane if we're serious about winning again. Our jumps unit went from world class to a complete shite show.

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Posted by mistert

Member since Jun 2011

1003 posts

Posted on 7/12/17 at 7:16 pm to mistert

Thanks

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Posted by mistert

Member since Jun 2011

1003 posts

Posted on 7/13/17 at 10:16 am to mistert

I emailed the t&f office, but no reply....just so you all know....

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Posted by mistert

Member since Jun 2011

1003 posts

Posted on 7/13/17 at 10:22 am to mistert

I just called T&F and she is no longer employed by LSU...do not know why.........

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Posted by sjmabry

Texas

Member since Aug 2013

18500 posts

Posted on 7/13/17 at 10:23 am to mistert

Who was the last great jumper at LSU? Walter Davis? LSU needs better field event athletes. Florida has dominated the jumps for the past decade.

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Posted by Zappas Stache

Utility Muffin Research Kitchen

Member since Apr 2009

38708 posts

Posted on 7/13/17 at 10:39 am to mistert

Having a good distance/ middle distance coach is one thing. But support from the head coach in the form of scholly's to recruit good runners is just as important. At LSU, there is typically very little scholly money put towards distance runner recruitment. I think the mid to late 80's was the last time LSU built a good CC team. Billy Maxwell was the head coach and had come from Tennessee where they had a good distance program. During his tenure, we brought in the #1 HS miler one year and generally got HS guys in the top 5 in the country as well as some really good foreign guys....Robin Van Helden from holland being the standout back then. We finished 3rd in SEC CC one year which may still be the highest LSU finish in 40 years or so.

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Posted by tigerbait2010

PNW

Member since May 2006

29237 posts

Posted on 7/13/17 at 10:46 am to mistert

It has to be a scandal, because she's a good coach

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Posted by mistert

Member since Jun 2011

1003 posts

Posted on 7/13/17 at 11:03 am to tigerbait2010

Maybe Mr. Shaver was given an ultimatum.........

With the relays malfunctioning at SEC and NCAA, something was wrong with our preparation.

When the HC is held accountable, who knows?

I think we need new leadership and it could be coming...

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Posted by tigerbait2010

PNW

Member since May 2006

29237 posts

Posted on 7/13/17 at 11:09 am to mistert

Shaver always does just well enough to save his skin. it's difficult to fire a coach that consistently finishes in the top 5-11 every year.

LSU's model doesn't work anymore. there are too many great sprinters, which leads to a lot f parity. LSU needs to revamp its jumps program, where we used to always load up on points. I don't think LSU has scored any meaningful points in jumps since Damar Forbes, who I think was 4 years ago

Also the LSU women have really struggled lately to find top 400m runners. Arkansas and Florida own us there

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Posted by tigercross

Member since Feb 2008

4918 posts

Posted on 7/13/17 at 11:17 am to tigerbait2010

quote:
It has to be a scandal, because she's a good coach

No scandal. It's been pretty well known that DPT was not Shaver's biggest fan. Lately she felt that Brazell was passing her up in the hierarchy and that was the final straw.

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Posted by mistert

Member since Jun 2011

1003 posts

Posted on 7/13/17 at 1:03 pm to tigercross

Who is DS's biggest fan?

He is the quintessential survivor, and the LSU T&F Program wallows downward to trending mediocrity....

I think NOW he is being scrutinized and discovered.....

He may have been Pat Henry's assistant, but that never translated to HC'ing with authority and a viable plan...

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Posted by tigercross

Member since Feb 2008

4918 posts

Posted on 7/13/17 at 4:37 pm to mistert

quote:
Who is DS's biggest fan?

He is the quintessential survivor, and the LSU T&F Program wallows downward to trending mediocrity

Anyone who has ever met the man will tell you that he is very obviously his own biggest fan.

That said, the LSU men are a top 5 program nationally over the past 5 years--only behind schools that allocate way more resources to T&F. The women are in the 6-7 range nationally over the same timeframe. Neither is mediocre nor showing signs of becoming such.

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