Adieu, Lou
Good Luck Lou! (CREDIT: Columbia Athletics)
When I read that Lou Ferrari was returning to Morningside Heights back in 2006, I could hardly believe it. I just didn't think someone who had been involved as a coach during the disastrous 1985 season would voluntarily return to Columbia.
But then I learned about Ferrari's long friendship with Norries Wilson. It began just after Wilson graduated from the University of Minnesota and he stayed on to help the coaching staff which included Ferrari. It dawned on me that personal friendship and loyalty were playing a big role.
Ferrari's best contribution was his great enthusiasm which really carried over to everyone on his defensive unit. And while that spirit produced more tangible results in 2006 than it did last season, it was still a very welcome constant.
I think Coach Kelton will do a great job building on that enthusiasm and make the most of this unexpected chance at such a relatively young age.
But we will miss Coach Ferrari and wish him the best of luck.
Game of the Day (Day 49)
October 7, 2006
Columbia 24 Iona 0
I thought I'd dedicate today's game of the day to Coach Ferrari by highlighting the best overall defensive day from his tenure at Columbia.
Here's my recap of the game from two years ago. Some of the other particulars included the fact that it was Columbia's first shutout victory since 1998 and Iona played the game without their head coach, who fell ill just before the game.
The following week, the Lions lost a tough game at Penn where the defense again played extremely well and almost gave Columbia a shocker victory.
It was no fluke, and neither was Coach Ferrari.
posted by Jake @ 12:16:00 AM
6 comments
6 Comments:
Coach Ferrari will be missed.
He is not only a great motivator but a solid X and O coach and a very good defensive skills position coach.
I am puzzled by all of this. I was also puzzled by the defensive melt-down last season, after such a promising '06. Was the resignation related to the 3 3 5 issue?
I'm really not sure, but I doubt this had anything to do with strategy.
According to the Columbia Football Roster, Bill Reggio is 6'3", 205 and Tucker Cain, 6'0" 190. I thought someone said Reggio weighed about 160 and Cain was 6'2" 200. That's an incredible growth spurt by Bill Regio and a sharp reduction in size for Cain.
I have it on good authority that Ferrara's departure had nothing to do with strategy or personality, and that it was entirely voluntary. He and Wilson have been close friends for a long time, and neither would do that to the other. Ferrara is a strong defensive coach; there is no indication that he is a one-trick-pony scheme-wise.
Most likely, this has been in the works for a while, despite the late announcement, allowing Ferrara to work with Kelton on some coordinator training and a smooth transition. And I have no doubt Ferrara will be available to consult from a distance whenever requested. He still cares about his kids, the team and his coaching colleagues.
When the release says someone left for "personal reasons," it naturally invites the wildest kind of speculation. Does anyone in fact know why Lou Ferrari is gone? (If only to dispel such speculation?)
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