Knowing Wayne has not been extended, who would you like to see as his successor? Before last year, I would have said Pearce, but we would be unlikely to get him from UT. Berkman is my next choice. We really need an offensive improvement.
I have no problem with Lance, but not until he puts in a stint as an Assistant Coach at the college level, and proves he's up for the task.
I find it highly unlikely someone of his experience, both in baseball and coaching, is going to go the traditional route. He is already a successful head coach at the high school level. I suspect the ego of a major leaguer will keep him from the assistant route. Is it time for some unconventional thinking?
If not him, who do you like?
(02-26-2018 08:33 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote: [ -> ]Pope. He was more successful as a HS coach than Lance. Dan Heefner at DBU should be looked at http://dbupatriots.com/coaches.aspx?rc=4...h=baseball
Could we hire someone away from DBU at this point? If I remember correctly their facility is just as nice as Reckling and their program has been better than ours the last couple years.
(02-26-2018 09:08 AM)cr11owl Wrote: [ -> ] (02-26-2018 08:33 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote: [ -> ]Pope. He was more successful as a HS coach than Lance. Dan Heefner at DBU should be looked at http://dbupatriots.com/coaches.aspx?rc=4...h=baseball
Could we hire someone away from DBU at this point? If I remember correctly their facility is just as nice as Reckling and their program has been better than ours the last couple years.
They do have nice facilities, though smaller than Reckling.
To your other point...
Well, depends if we’re willing to pony up the money. If we aren’t willing to pay enough to pry a coach away from a school like DBU, we should close up shop.
Baseball is our athletic department’s calling card... We need to do whatever we can to keep that reputation. For a comparison, you don’t see schools like BU, UMass Lowell, etc. just folding up their extremely successful hockey programs because P5 schools compete in the sport. Rather, they invest just as much as those schools.
(02-25-2018 11:46 PM)jhruzek Wrote: [ -> ]Knowing Wayne has not been extended, who would you like to see as his successor? Before last year, I would have said Pearce, but we would be unlikely to get him from UT. Berkman is my next choice. We really need an offensive improvement.
Agreed. Pearce would be best. I think we could have gotten him from Tulane, but not UT.
How about the coach at SE LA.
Yep, I've been on the Matt Riser bandwagon for a while now (disclosure: played baseball w/him from Little League through high school). Has been successful at every level, "gets" academics (not saying SELA is an academic powerhouse, but knowing him and his family, I can vouch for his understanding the importance/necessity of the academics side of things). I'm sure there are several other candidates, probably even some P5 candidates, but I don't think Riser would be considered that much of an "under the radar" hire anymore...have heard him mentioned at least one place as a possible candidate for the Miss St. job, although I'm not sure I believe that.
(02-26-2018 09:28 AM)Ranger Wrote: [ -> ] (02-25-2018 11:46 PM)jhruzek Wrote: [ -> ]Knowing Wayne has not been extended, who would you like to see as his successor? Before last year, I would have said Pearce, but we would be unlikely to get him from UT. Berkman is my next choice. We really need an offensive improvement.
Agreed. Pearce would be best. I think we could have gotten him from Tulane, but not UT.
How about the coach at SE LA.
Lance checks all the boxes other than college experience, though I think his resume speaks for itself and mitigates any risk.
There is no doubt hiring him would re-energize the program. After all, who wouldn't want to play for a 15 year MLB vet who is borderline HOF?
As for the other suggestions, all have solid backgrounds and credibility. Wouldn't have a problem with any of them but Lance is definitely the big splash hire that would excite everyone.
(02-26-2018 08:33 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote: [ -> ]Pope. He was more successful as a HS coach than Lance. Dan Heefner at DBU should be looked at http://dbupatriots.com/coaches.aspx?rc=4...h=baseball
I am a little confused as to why people would think Pope would be the best answer after a 33-31 season and a 5.10 team ERA last year with him being our "pitching" coach.
Once Graham leaves the program (whenever that may be) I think that the program will need to be completely revamped. Completely new staff with a brand new culture.
Personally, I think Berkman would be the best hire. Wouldn't he bring on Pettitte to be an assistant he if got the job? What kid wouldn't want to play for two future HOFer's?
(02-26-2018 10:23 AM)esposito Wrote: [ -> ] (02-26-2018 08:33 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote: [ -> ]Pope. He was more successful as a HS coach than Lance. Dan Heefner at DBU should be looked at http://dbupatriots.com/coaches.aspx?rc=4...h=baseball
I am a little confused as to why people would think Pope would be the best answer after a 33-31 season and a 5.10 team ERA last year with him being our "pitching" coach.
Once Graham leaves the program (whenever that may be) I think that the program will need to be completely revamped. Completely new staff with a brand new culture.
Personally, I think Berkman would be the best hire. Wouldn't he bring on Pettitte to be an assistant he if got the job? What kid wouldn't want to play for two future HOFer's?
Our kids are playing for a HOFer now.
While I do not deny that the credentials could well bring in a couple of recruits, the question remains of the former star players: Can those who did, teach?
(02-26-2018 08:33 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote: [ -> ]Pope. He was more successful as a HS coach than Lance. Dan Heefner at DBU should be looked at http://dbupatriots.com/coaches.aspx?rc=4...h=baseball
Agree. As for Lance, it has nothing to do with tradition. There's a big difference between high school and college coaching, not the least of which involves time, travel and recruiting. He doesn't get a pass just because he's Lance Berkman. If he's unwilling to spend a year as an assistant he doesn't deserve to be considered for one of the more prestigious head coaching jobs in college baseball. Just my own opinion.
(02-26-2018 10:15 AM)RiceOwl Wrote: [ -> ]Lance checks all the boxes other than college experience, though I think his resume speaks for itself and mitigates any risk.
There is no doubt hiring him would re-energize the program. After all, who wouldn't want to play for a 15 year MLB vet who is borderline HOF?
As for the other suggestions, all have solid backgrounds and credibility. Wouldn't have a problem with any of them but Lance is definitely the big splash hire that would excite everyone.
And that's one hell of a box he fails to check. Demonstrated performance at the college level should be the #1 criteria for a new head coach at a program such as Rice. Having HOF credentials doesn't translate into a quality head college coach. Just look at Clyde Drexler.
(02-26-2018 10:34 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote: [ -> ] (02-26-2018 10:15 AM)RiceOwl Wrote: [ -> ]Lance checks all the boxes other than college experience, though I think his resume speaks for itself and mitigates any risk.
There is no doubt hiring him would re-energize the program. After all, who wouldn't want to play for a 15 year MLB vet who is borderline HOF?
As for the other suggestions, all have solid backgrounds and credibility. Wouldn't have a problem with any of them but Lance is definitely the big splash hire that would excite everyone.
And that's one hell of a box he fails to check. Demonstrated performance at the college level should be the #1 criteria for a new head coach at a program such as Rice. Having HOF credentials doesn't translate into a quality head college coach. Just look at Clyde Drexler.
Kind of like asking Mrs. Lincoln if she enjoyed the play.
(02-26-2018 10:23 AM)esposito Wrote: [ -> ] (02-26-2018 08:33 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote: [ -> ]Pope. He was more successful as a HS coach than Lance. Dan Heefner at DBU should be looked at http://dbupatriots.com/coaches.aspx?rc=4...h=baseball
I am a little confused as to why people would think Pope would be the best answer after a 33-31 season and a 5.10 team ERA last year with him being our "pitching" coach.
Once Graham leaves the program (whenever that may be) I think that the program will need to be completely revamped. Completely new staff with a brand new culture.
Personally, I think Berkman would be the best hire. Wouldn't he bring on Pettitte to be an assistant he if got the job? What kid wouldn't want to play for two future HOFer's?
Pope has re-energized the recruiting effort starting with next year's class. His high school coaching resume is as good as it gets. He's a Rice grad. The kids love him. And as for his credentials as pitching coach, it's still early, but have you noticed the improvement in guys such as Canterino, Moss and Gayle?
A players name helps but he has to be hungry to win. Clyde Drexler was a complete bust at UH. He didn’t realize how much work it takes to be a successful college coach.
(02-26-2018 10:23 AM)esposito Wrote: [ -> ] (02-26-2018 08:33 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote: [ -> ]Pope. He was more successful as a HS coach than Lance. Dan Heefner at DBU should be looked at http://dbupatriots.com/coaches.aspx?rc=4...h=baseball
I am a little confused as to why people would think Pope would be the best answer after a 33-31 season and a 5.10 team ERA last year with him being our "pitching" coach.
Once Graham leaves the program (whenever that may be) I think that the program will need to be completely revamped. Completely new staff with a brand new culture.
Personally, I think Berkman would be the best hire. Wouldn't he bring on Pettitte to be an assistant he if got the job? What kid wouldn't want to play for two future HOFer's?
I'm not here to pick a fight, just stating my opinion the same as you. Lance has (solid) coaching experience on top of playing for some of the best baseball minds of our time (Graham, La Russa). Though his is not the preferred template it is certainly a strong one. The Drexler comparison is not a good one - he had zero coaching experience when he took the UH job. Lance has a state title and appears to understand the coaching role much more than Clyde ever did.
Again, not trying to pick a fight. Rather, I would like people to consider Lance as a unique candidate/case rather than looking at previous examples. We apply the same logic to our coach now, who has incredible success despite his age and trends seen by other coaches of similar stature (Paterno, Bowden).
Not many programs are afforded the opportunity to hire someone like Lance, and as such I am of the opinion that we should jump all over it when the time comes.
(02-26-2018 10:37 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote: [ -> ] (02-26-2018 10:23 AM)esposito Wrote: [ -> ] (02-26-2018 08:33 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote: [ -> ]Pope. He was more successful as a HS coach than Lance. Dan Heefner at DBU should be looked at http://dbupatriots.com/coaches.aspx?rc=4...h=baseball
I am a little confused as to why people would think Pope would be the best answer after a 33-31 season and a 5.10 team ERA last year with him being our "pitching" coach.
Once Graham leaves the program (whenever that may be) I think that the program will need to be completely revamped. Completely new staff with a brand new culture.
Personally, I think Berkman would be the best hire. Wouldn't he bring on Pettitte to be an assistant he if got the job? What kid wouldn't want to play for two future HOFer's?
Pope has re-energized the recruiting effort starting with next year's class. His high school coaching resume is as good as it gets. He's a Rice grad. The kids love him. And as for his credentials as pitching coach, it's still early, but have you noticed the improvement in guys such as Canterino, Moss and Gayle?
I can tell you factually that Coach Pope, albeit older than most 2nd year college coaches, has really energized the recruiting effort. I know of at least 3 kids who decided to go with Rice (2018,2019 class) over some "name" programs (Oregon State, TCU, Houston to name a few) after Coach Pope took the recruiting reins.
Kids truly do love the guy. And, in my opinion, the pitching staff has GREATLY improved since last year.....especially the starting pitching. Our losses have had very little to do with the pitching.
I'm not saying that Coach Pope is the "splash" hire many fans or alums would want but if he was the choice, I'm good with it. I think recruiting is the single most important thing a coach can do at the D1 level. I believe his first 2 recruiting classes (2018,2019) are really talented.
As an aside....I'd be totally fine with Lance as well. In fact, if Lance were the hire and kept Coach Pope on as recruiting coordinator, I'd be ecstatic.
(02-26-2018 10:45 AM)RiceOwl Wrote: [ -> ]I'm not here to pick a fight, just stating my opinion the same as you. Lance has (solid) coaching experience on top of playing for some of the best baseball minds of our time (Graham, La Russa). Though his is not the preferred template it is certainly a strong one. The Drexler comparison is not a good one - he had zero coaching experience when he took the UH job. Lance has a state title and appears to understand the coaching role much more than Clyde ever did.
Again, not trying to pick a fight. Rather, I would like people to consider Lance as a unique candidate/case rather than looking at previous examples. We apply the same logic to our coach now, who has incredible success despite his age and trends seen by other coaches of similar stature (Paterno, Bowden).
Not many programs are afforded the opportunity to hire someone like Lance, and as such I am of the opinion that we should jump all over it when the time comes.
Most elite programs have an opportunity to hire a former player who was an MLB all-star and recognizable name player, especially in their home state. The ONLY one I can think of who has gone straight to a head coaching job without experience as an assistant is Darren Erstad (who is a legend in Nebraska), and that hasn't exactly gone well. And I wouldn't call 2 years of high school coaching experience "solid coaching experience".