(07-08-2016 07:09 PM)gmath Wrote:  

(07-07-2016 04:31 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(07-07-2016 04:26 PM)ColOwl Wrote:  I don't think the "head-coach-in-waiting" type of hire now to replace Hallmark would be a good idea, considering that it appears that the OG wants 3 more years. Were it several years ago when Pierce and Taylor were still on staff and one was so designated, I might have a different opinion since both of them had major hands in our 1999-2008 production and recruiting. But finding someone who has the qualifications to take over an elite program like Rice, such as either a head coach at a less-prestigious school or top assistant with an elite program, but who's untried within the Rice system, and guaranteeing them the head job in 3 years doesn't sound like the best way to go. If that new assistant turned out not to be able to recruit and coach up to our standards, we're either stuck with him or we end up with egg on our face for over-committing.

??? If we were to hire an Assistant Head Coach it would be one with a proven recruiting and coaching track record. Given Hallmark's major role in recruiting, a priority may be getting a well-connected Texan. I still think Skip Johnson would be an seamless fit. What about the head coach at DBU?

I like your thinking Walt about Skip Johnson. Many casual fans don't know, but he's probably the top pitching coach in the country. Clayton Kershaw goes to Disch-Faulk in some off seasons for sessions with Skip. Friend told me his son is a "way deep back-up catcher" at Texas, who will never see the field, but his utopia is bullpen sessions as the catcher for all the MLB pitchers who come to see Skip. Alas, Skip has signed with OU now that the UT staff has turned over:

http://www.hookem.com/2016/06/27/texas-p...ts-job-ou/

Doesn't mean he'd come to Rice to be an assistant coach "in waiting" as some have posted, but I seriously doubt someone with his with credentials would want to come to a CUSA school and wait for the coach to retire to get his chance. But, who knows.

Most of us are well aware he recently left for the Sooners (just before Augie was told to hang it up). Having said that, for Skip I think he "sees" Rice and not CUSA. I'm sure he and Wayne go way back, and I'd be very surprised if they don't have a good relationship, given both are considered amongst the best developers of pitchers in college baseball over the past 30 years. Now, whether we could pay him enough to leave OU before ever starting, or whether he'd even consider such a move on ethical grounds, is another matter altogether.

Congratulations to Coach Hallmark for advancing in your baseball career and thanks for all your contributions to the Rice program. We wish you well.

I'm hearing that John Pope from Cy Ranch (and Rice alum) is being seriously considered to replace Hallmark:

http://cyranchnews.com/3815/news/john-po...-the-year/

(07-13-2016 10:31 AM)Scooter Wrote:  I'm hearing that John Pope from Cy Ranch (and Rice alum) is being seriously considered to replace Hallmark:

http://cyranchnews.com/3815/news/john-po...-the-year/

That would be an interesting choice. I don't know Coach Pope except through the teams he has fielded, and they are always very competitive and appear well coached. You would think he'd certainly have ties to the coaching community in the greater Houston area.

(07-13-2016 11:30 AM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 10:31 AM)Scooter Wrote:  I'm hearing that John Pope from Cy Ranch (and Rice alum) is being seriously considered to replace Hallmark:

http://cyranchnews.com/3815/news/john-po...-the-year/

That would be an interesting choice. I don't know Coach Pope except through the teams he has fielded, and they are always very competitive and appear well coached. You would think he'd certainly have ties to the coaching community in the greater Houston area.

Yeah, can't argue with two 6A state championships in the past four years.

(07-13-2016 10:31 AM)Scooter Wrote:  I'm hearing that John Pope from Cy Ranch (and Rice alum) is being seriously considered to replace Hallmark:

http://cyranchnews.com/3815/news/john-po...-the-year/

In the picture he's wearing a Rice shirt. Is that the indication that he's on staff?

(07-13-2016 10:31 AM)Scooter Wrote:  I'm hearing that John Pope from Cy Ranch (and Rice alum)...

Jones '90; BA in Human Performance/Health Sciences

(07-13-2016 02:33 PM)grol Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 10:31 AM)Scooter Wrote:  I'm hearing that John Pope from Cy Ranch (and Rice alum) is being seriously considered to replace Hallmark:

http://cyranchnews.com/3815/news/john-po...-the-year/

In the picture he's wearing a Rice shirt. Is that the indication that he's on staff?

"R" for Ranch -- apparently Cy Ranch has adopted the Old English R for at least some versions of their baseball uniforms:

http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/cyp...23c9b6efb7

(07-13-2016 02:37 PM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 02:33 PM)grol Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 10:31 AM)Scooter Wrote:  I'm hearing that John Pope from Cy Ranch (and Rice alum) is being seriously considered to replace Hallmark:

http://cyranchnews.com/3815/news/john-po...-the-year/

In the picture he's wearing a Rice shirt. Is that the indication that he's on staff?

"R" for Ranch -- apparently Cy Ranch has adopted the Old English R for at least some versions of their baseball uniforms:

http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/cyp...23c9b6efb7

Well then, no change of clothes necessary...

(07-13-2016 02:40 PM)grol Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 02:37 PM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 02:33 PM)grol Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 10:31 AM)Scooter Wrote:  I'm hearing that John Pope from Cy Ranch (and Rice alum) is being seriously considered to replace Hallmark:

http://cyranchnews.com/3815/news/john-po...-the-year/

In the picture he's wearing a Rice shirt. Is that the indication that he's on staff?

"R" for Ranch -- apparently Cy Ranch has adopted the Old English R for at least some versions of their baseball uniforms:

http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/cyp...23c9b6efb7

Well then, no change of clothes necessary...

I don't know. The gold/yellow has to go, but the OER looks good!

(07-13-2016 12:23 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 11:30 AM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 10:31 AM)Scooter Wrote:  I'm hearing that John Pope from Cy Ranch (and Rice alum) is being seriously considered to replace Hallmark:

http://cyranchnews.com/3815/news/john-po...-the-year/

That would be an interesting choice. I don't know Coach Pope except through the teams he has fielded, and they are always very competitive and appear well coached. You would think he'd certainly have ties to the coaching community in the greater Houston area.

Yeah, can't argue with two 6A state championships in the past four years.

And another state title with CyFair before moving to Ranch.

(07-06-2016 06:16 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Being reported by Kendall Rogers. Should make some people happy!

Fantastic news. Should make anyone who cares about the future of Rice Baseball happy!

Appears to be a great hire. Love all the state championships at the high school level, as well as presumably his ties to the Houston area high school baseball scene.

(07-13-2016 04:58 PM)wheredidmypantsgo Wrote:  Appears to be a great hire. Love all the state championships at the high school level, as well as presumably his ties to the Houston area high school baseball scene.

Unclear if he has been hired yet... Just a candidate for now.

Would be a really good addition.

Hired! Official news by our beat writer from the chron.

Mods - can you break the John Pope portion of this thread into its own thread? Seems like this news certainly deserves its own thread and title. Thanks!

(07-15-2016 06:34 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  Mods - can you break the John Pope portion of this thread into its own thread? Seems like this news certainly deserves its own thread and title. Thanks!

Good plan. I'm not a mod but I'm on it...