jaRenfro -

there is no directive for Lampe to recruit only Kansas kids. never has been. but there has been a long standing rule implemented by the Colby board of trustees that states scholarships are to be split evenly in number between in-state and out-of-state. this has nothing to do with the presence of Lousiana kids or international students in past years as you imply. it was in place well before their arrival.

by the way, Gilliland's early departure from the tournament has more to do with bracket placement than coaching. Pearch in the first match and a poor draw from a style standpoint in first round consolation (plus likely still thinking about what could have been after a close match with Pearch). disappointing to see, because Gilliland could have placed.

your remark -IMO was inappropriate and - would be similar to me mocking Mikel Delk for his early departure two years ago, despite being one of the best in the weight class. but i'd never imply that Mikel's result was poor coaching or mock him because of it. i've followed the sport enough to know that it was nothing Coach Renfro or Mikel did. it was just a non-seeded tournament with a blind computer draw that paired him against the national runner-up in the first round. and, as we all know, a 32 man national tournament bracket can be a female-dog if you enter the consolation side too early. too Mikel's credit, he showed that it could be done last year after an early loss though.

hopefully Gilliland will come back and perform equally as well next year.

agree with everything else in your post, except that I had not heard about the anticipated coaching opening. was it Merrick's choice or otherwise?

CONGRATS on Labette's title! it was well deserved.