To the editor:

Recently, a vote of confidence was given to Coach Jack Bicknell. The question I ask to you is why? Do you feel that he has the tools to put together a winning program? Are you trying to save $450,000 in guaranteed money to Bicknell? Which direction do you want our football program to go?

As far as the tools for a winning football program, Bicknell has only two winning seasons out of five -- that's 40 percent. I cannot get a degree from Tech passing only 40 percent of my classes.

One of the winning seasons came from a team that he inherited from another coach. It's not hard to coach a team that already knows what it is doing. Does a coach have the tools when he asks a player what to do in a situation and then places the blame on that player's shoulders and not man up about the decision that he should have made (Hawaii)?

Is it about the money? If you are worried about saving the $450,000 that will be owed to Bicknell because of the contract that you gave him, think about this. That $450,000 will be a bargain. Right now there are many alumni and future alumni of Louisiana Tech that will no longer support Tech football.

Dr. Reneau said, "It's important that the Tech family unite behind our football program, and we move forward to ensure our future success." It is kind of ironic calling for family to pull together and then ignoring that family when they make their feelings known.

I can only imagine the phone calls and e-mails that both of you have received from a lot of disappointed Bulldog fans. When these people pull their money from Champs, season tickets and concessions (because they are no longer at the games), that $450,000 will look pretty darn good.

With the new D-1A requirements going into effect in 2004, the last question will answer itself. If a change is not made and these people pull their support, we will be on the fast track to D-1AA.

Jacob Stechmann

Senior

Construction Engineering

Technology