Interesting. Don't know if this is a sign of anything, but Jada Hallmark (Patrick's wife, a former Rice student-athlete and swiming coach) just liked my twitter post responding to Kendall suggesting that Allen and Hallmark were likely the frontrunners from the get-go.

(06-07-2021 04:06 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Interesting. Don't know if this is a sign of anything, but Jada Hallmark (Patrick's wife, a former Rice student-athlete and swiming coach) just liked my twitter post responding to Kendall suggesting that Allen and Hallmark were likely the frontrunners from the get-go.

Maybe she's rooting for Allen?

(06-07-2021 07:20 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(06-06-2021 10:24 PM)Musicowl1965 Wrote:  

(06-06-2021 10:10 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  https://twitter.com/kendallrogers/status...66180?s=21

Gautreau is out, per Kendall.

If Kendall not tied in to JK,as some have suggested, he must be getting this info from Texas/UTSA side. My gut says a surprise is coming. But good if Kendall is right as well.

Not surprising. As I said previously, Gautreau and Allen have similar resumes, but Allen has the strong Texas and Houston ties, which Gautreau does not. Also, Allen had the prior relationship with JK due to his interviews the last time round. Kendall is no doubt getting his info from Childress, Allen and Gautreau themselves.

I think the concern all of us have is with whom is JK consulting-- and seeking input-- on this search. Is anyone else involved in the process outside he and Rick Mello?

My guess is we'll have an announcement by Wednesday, if not sooner.

It's my understanding that there was a small committee of folks consulted, but not my place to say who was on that committee (though it was a good group).

(06-07-2021 04:25 PM)Swede Owl Wrote:  

(06-07-2021 07:20 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(06-06-2021 10:24 PM)Musicowl1965 Wrote:  

(06-06-2021 10:10 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  https://twitter.com/kendallrogers/status...66180?s=21

Gautreau is out, per Kendall.

If Kendall not tied in to JK,as some have suggested, he must be getting this info from Texas/UTSA side. My gut says a surprise is coming. But good if Kendall is right as well.

Not surprising. As I said previously, Gautreau and Allen have similar resumes, but Allen has the strong Texas and Houston ties, which Gautreau does not. Also, Allen had the prior relationship with JK due to his interviews the last time round. Kendall is no doubt getting his info from Childress, Allen and Gautreau themselves.

I think the concern all of us have is with whom is JK consulting-- and seeking input-- on this search. Is anyone else involved in the process outside he and Rick Mello?

My guess is we'll have an announcement by Wednesday, if not sooner.

It's my understanding that there was a small committee of folks consulted, but not my place to say who was on that committee (though it was a good group).

Thanks, Swede-- good to know. Definitely a positive.

(06-07-2021 12:06 PM)NYNightOwl Wrote:  

(06-07-2021 08:57 AM)Musicowl1965 Wrote:  

(06-07-2021 07:20 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(06-06-2021 10:24 PM)Musicowl1965 Wrote:  

(06-06-2021 10:10 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  https://twitter.com/kendallrogers/status...66180?s=21

Gautreau is out, per Kendall.

If Kendall not tied in to JK,as some have suggested, he must be getting this info from Texas/UTSA side. My gut says a surprise is coming. But good if Kendall is right as well.

Not surprising. As I said previously, Gautreau and Allen have similar resumes, but Allen has the strong Texas and Houston ties, which Gautreau does not. Also, Allen had the prior relationship with JK due to his interviews the last time round. Kendall is no doubt getting his info from Childress, Allen and Gautreau themselves.

I think the concern all of us have is with whom is JK consulting-- and seeking input-- on this search. Is anyone else involved in the process outside he and Rick Mello?

My guess is we'll have an announcement by Wednesday, if not sooner.

Good point on "consultation group". I hope he has a strong group with Rice baseball ties giving input. I think, if possible, former players should be consulted as well not necessarily for their approval just for their input on characteristics they feel should be considered. Also agree that a likely decision is this week. My front runners are still Cruz, Allen, Hallmark (but now, not necessarily in that order). Childress sill a wildcard but I think still needs to be included for now. All really good choices so I hope, at least the list, is right.

Hallmark does seem to check most boxes. But is anyone (with more insight and knowledge than I have) concerned that none of his teams finished higher than 3rd - and that UTSA had a losing record this year both in and out of conference?

In typical "junk yard dog" fashion (that has been Pat's stated tag line of how he wanted his players approaching things going back to when he was at Rice), UTSA had a stout non-conference schedule, figuring that you'e not going to get better unless you're playing the best (seems....familar....). Games against TCU, Baylor, a full 3-game weekend series vs LSU in Baton Rouge, etc. And in many of those losses, his bullpen lost the lead in the 8th/9th, or in extra innings. Case in point--at LSU, they lost the first game 3-1 by giving up two runs in the 8th, and then lost the next game in the 11th inning, and the third game in the 13th inning. So, you may say they got swept--and they did--but they gave LSU a hell of a fight. And that's the "JYD" approach that Hallmark brings.

Also, he arrived in June 2019, so I can't imagine that he was playing with many of "his" recruits.

I remember Sean Allen well from his time playing for U of H. If the Rice head coaching choice is between a former Cougar and a former Rice Owl player/coach, then this is incredibly easy. I view this head coaching search as an opportunity to return to the Wayne Graham coaching tree... We went for the flash in the pan with Bragga, and face-planted off the high dive. It's time to admit our mistake, revert back to what should have been done 3 years ago, mend fences with Coach Graham, and restore the 20 years of winning culture with the baseball program.

(06-07-2021 10:53 PM)Volente Beach Owl Wrote:  I remember Sean Allen well from his time playing for U of H. If the Rice head coaching choice is between a former Cougar and a former Rice Owl player/coach, then this is incredibly easy. I view this head coaching search as an opportunity to return to the Wayne Graham coaching tree... We went for the flash in the pan with Bragga, and face-planted off the high dive. It's time to admit our mistake, revert back to what should have been done 3 years ago, mend fences with Coach Graham, and restore the 20 years of winning culture with the baseball program.

I don't think fences can be mended with Wayne as long as JK is around. The animosity between the two is very deep-seated, and goes way beyond the dismissal affair.

I do like the idea of returning to the Graham coaching tree. I wonder what kind of recommendation Hallmark will get from Wayne if he is offered the position. I do think Patrick will weigh whatever Wayne recommends pretty heavily in deciding if offered.

Is it because Graham beat Stanford in the CWS?

(06-08-2021 09:02 AM)peanutgallery Wrote:  Is it because Graham beat Stanford in the CWS?

Not sure who Kendall is hearing this from, but it's the first confirmation of a Cruz Jr candidacy...

Quote:Kendall Rogers
@KendallRogers
·
COACHING SCOOP: One more name — a third name — to keep an eye out for on the @RiceBaseball search is @tigers assistant hitting coach Jose Cruz Jr., who played at #Rice. I’ve been told he’s most certainly in the mix.

Interesting but no head coaching college experience but I guess MLB coaching experience could be a plus.

Schlossnagle to A&M

(06-09-2021 05:49 AM)RiceLad15 Wrote:  Schlossnagle to A&M

No surprise there. Expect Saarloos to get the TCU job.

(06-08-2021 11:04 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Not sure who Kendall is hearing this from, but it's the first confirmation of a Cruz Jr candidacy...

Quote:Kendall Rogers
@KendallRogers
·
COACHING SCOOP: One more name — a third name — to keep an eye out for on the @RiceBaseball search is @tigers assistant hitting coach Jose Cruz Jr., who played at #Rice. I’ve been told he’s most certainly in the mix.

I guess "The Parliament" is not confirmation???? So, the "scoop" goes to the Parliament and should have been noted by Kendall (first to report etc..).

(06-09-2021 08:05 AM)Musicowl1965 Wrote:  

(06-08-2021 11:04 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Not sure who Kendall is hearing this from, but it's the first confirmation of a Cruz Jr candidacy...

Quote:Kendall Rogers
@KendallRogers
·
COACHING SCOOP: One more name — a third name — to keep an eye out for on the @RiceBaseball search is @tigers assistant hitting coach Jose Cruz Jr., who played at #Rice. I’ve been told he’s most certainly in the mix.

I guess "The Parliament" is not confirmation???? So, the "scoop" goes to the Parliament and should have been noted by Kendall (first to report etc..).

No one on The Parliament confirmed that Cruz was a candidate. There was only speculation.

Heard our top choices turned us down. On to Plan C. Announcement sometime this week.

(06-09-2021 08:10 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(06-09-2021 08:05 AM)Musicowl1965 Wrote:  

(06-08-2021 11:04 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Not sure who Kendall is hearing this from, but it's the first confirmation of a Cruz Jr candidacy...

Quote:Kendall Rogers
@KendallRogers
·
COACHING SCOOP: One more name — a third name — to keep an eye out for on the @RiceBaseball search is @tigers assistant hitting coach Jose Cruz Jr., who played at #Rice. I’ve been told he’s most certainly in the mix.

I guess "The Parliament" is not confirmation???? So, the "scoop" goes to the Parliament and should have been noted by Kendall (first to report etc..).

No one on The Parliament confirmed that Cruz was a candidate. There was only speculation.

Obviously a JOKE!!! I guess I need to be more specific in my sarcasm!!!! The problem with that is when you have to "explain" sarcasm it looses its effect.

We can't offer a competitive salary. Rice professors complain if coaches make too much relative to them (but none of them ever attend Rice sporting events).

I say to hell with the professors. Are they going to quit, go on strike?

Baylor pays HUGE salaries to their coaches.

Wayne Graham was loyal, despite higher offers from other schools, and then we were not loyal to him in his old age.

(06-09-2021 08:26 AM)RiceFootball2K5 Wrote:  Heard our top choices turned us down. On to Plan C. Announcement sometime this week.

Care to provide who were the top choices without breaking a confidence?

(06-09-2021 08:26 AM)RiceFootball2K5 Wrote:  Heard our top choices turned us down. On to Plan C. Announcement sometime this week.

I hope Plan C works. I think Plan D is rehiring Bragga.