So let's assume that Coach Skole is moving to Charleston by the end of the week (which seems very likely at this point), lets hear some names and ideas for our next Head Baseball Coach. I'll give you my brief thoughts here.....
1. I want a young, up-and-comer who can bring some new ideas and energy to the program. I don't want an old re-tread.
2. I think it needs to be someone who has strong recruiting connections and has ideas that can maximize our lack of scholarship dollars.
Here are my five names that I've come up with:
-Jeff Polumbo, Asst Coach at East Carolina
-Ryan Klosterman, Asst Coach at UCF
-Chad Calliet, Asst Coach at Southern Miss
-Ty Megahee, Asst Coach at Western Kentucky
-Jerry Zulli, Asst Coach at Louisiana Tech
Find which one of these guys wants to be a Head Coach and has fresh ideas and give them five years to get us to the top of the SoCon and in a Regional.
Now, literally cross all of those names out because they're not coming to ETSU, and start looking at successful D2 coaches, or peer conference assistants at successful schools willing to give ETSU a shot.
and FWIW, The Citadel message board doesn't think it's Tony Skole, though I tend to side with John Brice due to him always seemingly knowing things.
Yeah, I don't know if Skole will be leaving or not. There seems to be a lot of "smoke" there. I'm sure we'll know by the end of the week.
I think you are short selling our candidate pool. I would definitely think one of those guys listed would be interested. I'm not excited about a SoCon Assistant. I can't think of any that would fire me up. I'm not saying that going the D2 route is a bad idea, I just think we can do better. We have a great stadium and some perks. Skole's salary isn't going to draw an SEC/ACC assistant, but it should get us in the game with a C-USA/American assistant who wants to be a Head Coach.
My first phone call would be Jeff Palumbo at East Carolina. I doubt they can afford to pay him what he's worth, though, and the situation isn't the greatest with only 5 scholarships.
Another guy I'd contact is Doug Jones at Tusculum, who has been very successful for a long time. Ties to the area, probably wouldn't need a raise vs. Skole's salary (and might even take less). Wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he ended up being the guy.
Just remember, baseball is still a lower tier sport at ETSU. Skole's departure doesn't change that at all.
How does that impact potential new coaches decisions?
Let me just quote this out of context for the sake of it:
“I clearly don’t know what their criteria is,” Sander said.
(06-08-2017 05:15 PM)BucDoctor Wrote: [ -> ]Just remember, baseball is still a lower tier sport at ETSU. Skole's departure doesn't change that at all.
How does that impact potential new coaches decisions?
From Charleston newspaper...
"At ETSU, a school of about 14,000 students in Johnson City, Tenn., Skole worked without some of the resources of some other baseball programs. The Bucs offer the equivalent of about five baseball scholarships; The Citadel, on the other hand, is fully funded at 11.7 scholarships.
For most of Skole's time at ETSU, the Bucs played at a rented facility — Cardinal Park, the home of the minor-league Johnson City Cardinals. ETSU's on-campus ball park, Thomas Stadium, opened in 2012 and seats about 1,000, although 1,752 fans squeezed in for a home game against Tennessee in 2013.
Skole is earning about $88,000 per year at ETSU, while Jordan retired with a salary of $166,000."
Looks like the Citadel funds baseball better than does ETSU.
Spot on. I have a hard time seeing the top of the conference and a regional with less than half as many scholarships as other teams in the conference. Or with what we are paying assistant coaches.
I fear we may miss Tony and his near-.500 record. Think softball, till this year.
Skole has been removed from the coaches tab on the ETSU Athletics website. Wish him good luck. Was time for new blood.
(06-08-2017 06:38 PM)Buckyball Wrote: [ -> ]Spot on. I have a hard time seeing the top of the conference and a regional with less than half as many scholarships as other teams in the conference. Or with what we are paying assistant coaches.
I fear we may miss Tony and his near-.500 record. Think softball, till this year.
Citadel's pitching coach is ex-MLB with 17 years of experience.
Our pitching coach came from Milligan with very little experience and according to the ETSU website was drafted but didn't play MLB. ETSU hitting coach is new and came from Florida Gulf Coast playing there a short 4 seasons ago and played some minor league ball.
May be fine folks, but resume's look like NAIA, not NCAA D1 (and other's opinion may vary).
According to everyone, Skole recruited good students and had a VERY high APR.
The point I have tried to drive home with a number of postings this week is the one you make. ETSU has implemented a Tiered Funding System, Skole's departure doesn't change that. We all wish every sport could be a championship sport, but it isn't possible.
ETSU has the best men's athletic program in the conference...why would they change the funding formula for the most successful program in the conference? Seems to be working.
Has any one confirmed ETSU only has 5 baseball scholarships? I have heard that tossed around but no firm answer. Hell drop the damn program if that is all you are going to do, Why the hell build a new stadium for walkons?
While down the road UT just hired an assistant with no head coaching experience and are paying him more than Forbes.
Have and the have not
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Sports/2...iered-plan
Quote:Tier 2
Volleyball
Baseball
Women’s soccer
These sports “have a level of interest that provides the next best opportunity for revenue generation while also having the history and tradition to be successful.”
They are also expected to compete for conference championships on a regular basis.
Quote:The baseball, volleyball and women’s soccer teams are expected to compete for conference championships every year and periodically advance to the NCAA tournaments.
Quote:The baseball team is expected to play 30 home games and average 750 fans at them. It averaged 468 last season.
There is a legit candidate that I haven't seen mentioned yet who has local ties and is currently coaching in the professional ranks. The timing may just be right if Sander and Co can get close with the salary. Not at liberty to give out the name at present but can say for sure there is interest.
(06-08-2017 09:44 PM)BaseballPops Wrote: [ -> ]There is a legit candidate that I haven't seen mentioned yet who has local ties and is currently coaching in the professional ranks. The timing may just be right if Sander and Co can get close with the salary. Not at liberty to give out the name at present but can say for sure there is interest.
Well my guess with those clues would be Jeff Reed
though kind of hope not, not sure being a hitting coach for a rookie league team would make him a good college coach. I mean I guess he is used to dealing with that age group.
(06-08-2017 08:36 PM)RodShaw2 Wrote: [ -> ]Has any one confirmed ETSU only has 5 baseball scholarships? I have heard that tossed around but no firm answer. Hell drop the damn program if that is all you are going to do, Why the hell build a new stadium for walkons?
That number came from a reporter, Darren Stolfus(?), who talked to Skole (I assume). I have no idea if that number is correct.
So here is the question; would you all like to see that number go up? If so, I believe that men's soccer goes away. If given the choice I would say give baseball those resources.
Id rather keep things as is if better funding of baseball means the elimination of soccer. I would like to see us increase our donor base to the point that we could be more competitive in baseball in terms of scholarships- and I would also switch out the men's tennis coach salary and the baseball coach salary.
(06-08-2017 10:25 PM)RodShaw2 Wrote: [ -> ] (06-08-2017 09:44 PM)BaseballPops Wrote: [ -> ]There is a legit candidate that I haven't seen mentioned yet who has local ties and is currently coaching in the professional ranks. The timing may just be right if Sander and Co can get close with the salary. Not at liberty to give out the name at present but can say for sure there is interest.
Well my guess with those clues would be Jeff Reed
though kind of hope not, not sure being a hitting coach for a rookie league team would make him a good college coach. I mean I guess he is used to dealing with that age group.
I don't think his only pedigree is as a hitting coach. He's also been the head coach at the AAU level, and I believe at SH
(06-09-2017 08:16 AM)etsubuc Wrote: [ -> ]I would also switch out the men's tennis coach salary and the baseball coach salary.
Totally agree. Timing may be right for this.