Bobby Lutz on football

I had an extensive interview with Charlotte 49ers coach Bobby Lutz recently and over the next few days, I thought I'd share some of his responses on a number of topics relevant to Charlotte and its athletic programs.

The first topic: Lutz on football.
What do you think about the possibility of football at Charlotte?
Lutz: "Not only does a decision about football affect an athletic department, but it affects the entire university. I trust Chancellor (Philip) Dubois to make a decision that is best for the athletic department and the university. He will look at the big picture - what is best for all students.
"Having said that, if football can be done well, I am all for it. What I mean by that is if we can financially do it so that it can be successful and it doesn't negatively impact the other sports. That is where the trust lies with Dr. Dubois. Can we do it? I am very confident we will not do it if it takes away from our other sports and only if it will add to the athletic department and the entire university community. I think that it can be a winning situation."

Do you agree that in today's college athletics atmosphere a lot of conference alignments and realignments are geared toward schools that play football?
Lutz: "There is no doubt that conference alignment and realignment is often dictated by football. There are still some programs that do very well in basketball without football. It can be done. But there is no doubt it is part of the landscape and part of the decision-making process nationally, not just in Charlotte." -- Jim Utter