Norm DeBriyn Press Conference Transcript
UA Sports Information- Tuesday, June 11, 2002 ---Norm DeBriyn:
"I'd like to thank everyone for being here. It's a happy occasion. I guess starting out, being my age and being through what I have been through, it seems like the losses get tougher every year and the wins aren't quite as enjoyable. I just made the decision to step aside. I've talked to Coach Broyles about it and that will be addressed later.
"I probably decided this about a week ago. I've been toying and thinking about it for about a year. I put some thoughts together when we were in Clemson and would like to read them and then I will be done.
"First of all I'd like to thank Coach Broyles for giving the program a chance to grow. He's allowed us to compete on a national level. Everything we've needed to get to Omaha and win a national championship has been in place. The program is in good shape and I really appreciate his support.
"I want to thank the media for the friendships the relationships, the times we've had together, the way you've treated us. We were going to Omaha for while there, every other year, in the 1980's, and that was nice. In the '90s they've been thinner and I'm responsible for that. You all could have been a lot tougher on that, the players, the program, on me, but you've been very good. Even when things haven't gone as well as we've hoped you've been good, and I appreciate that.
"I want to thank Caroline and my family for their love and support over the years. Without them I probably wouldn't have been able to be in this as long as I have. Coaching - and I see Coach Nutt, Coach Heath, Coach Clark, Coach Montez, and I see Coach Horton back there...you know when you are in a situation like this you are always going to miss some names - it's a tough business. I'm 60 years old and it's a 365, 24/7 I'm kind of a nervous guy. I've beaten myself up on a lot of things when I make mistakes and I make a lot of them and it just gets tougher all the time. That went into it also. My point is that I really appreciate the family support over the time.
"I love coaching and I'm going to miss it. I thank God for a wonderful profession, the relationships, the players the friends you meet. It's unbelievable. This morning I was talking to Fred Howard and I've been fortunate enough to have Fred play for us and play for me. In 1970 he was the winning pitcher in the first game we won when I was at Arkansas and he was at the last game we played where I had the reigns at Clemson on Sunday. I think Fred is here today. It is situations like that you appreciate and remember. Memories are a great thing.
"I talked about a time for everything and I think the time is right for me to step aside. I've been here for 33 years. I coached five years on the high school level. I had one year as a freshman coach at the University of Northern Colorado and was able to come here right after that. The effectiveness in the SEC is probably better in the hands of a coach younger than me, and that was a big part of my decision.
"Our program is in good shape and I notice a lot of our players here today and I appreciate them. We had a club this year that reminded me a lot of the 1979 team. I didn't realize until I talked to players individually last night - we knew as a coaching staff - I realized how close they were and how they bonded as a club this year. I think that is the reason we were able to finish strong and make as good a run as we did.
"I had player after player telling me as I asked them questions, he'd say 'Boy this is a fun year. This is the best year I've had here, I'm really enjoying it.' I'd question him more and it was his teammates. It was his teammates that he enjoyed. It was his teammates that he appreciated, and you could see that chemistry. I think that Coaches Montez and Clark did a great job in their respective areas in bringing out the best in our ball club. From preparing the team through scouting reports and getting us ready for the next game.
"I don't know if I can remember a scrappier, more competitive club than the one sitting in front of us right now. They've done a tremendous job and for that I'll always hold them special and will never forget them.
"The freshmen, we played four freshmen around the horn. You look at Goodwin at third, Hode at short, Bridges at second, and McConnell in the outfield. We had good sophomores and juniors, senior leadership in Michael Conner, Charlie Isaacson, Gary Hogan Jr., Cody Clark, and every one of you that contributed.
"Another part of this factor, I think, is you fight the pro draft. I'm looking at our club this year and we lost five last summer. Our coaches did a great job of recruiting. We lost two second rounders, a fifth rounder, a seventh rounder, and we had a thirty-second rounder sign. A couple of those kids, as freshmen, might not be ready immediately to contribute and play and help you, but we felt like a couple of them were. That's tough and you face that year after year and you don't know where you stand.
"Right now in our recruiting class we've lost four. We had two junior college players who were under control and both signed. These were all part of the incoming class. That gets tough when you go through that every year. The scholarship limits - baseball is an equivalency sport. I always find myself talking on the phone, talking to parents, talking to athletes.
"The players over the years, I'd like to thank them. Without you the accomplishments this program has made would not have been possible. I'd like to thank the people - those who have played here and gotten their degrees - that have developed good work ethics. I hope we've been able to instill that and I hope we've been able to help you in society and in life.
"I've been around so long there's some second generation players. There's Jason Reynolds, Travis McDaniel, and Matt Howard - I mentioned his dad earlier, Fred - that have been in the program and that's been nice. I'd especially like to thank Doug Clark for his service over 26 years and I'll be grateful for him. Tim Montez, in his fifth year, has given us a shot in the arm. We've gone to regionals three out of the five years he's been here and that says something. I want to wish the best for them. They've been loyal and they work hard, and I will be there for them.
"I appreciate the people who have given so much to the program. The relationships of Charlie and Nadine Baum, the friends you meet Willard and Pat Walker, Johnny, Mike and Debbie Walker. The former players, Fred Howard, Stan Ley, Tom Pagnozzi, the guys like McReynolds, Ray, Lollar, and Selakovich that gave lights when we were at George Cole Field. Then we transferred those lights to Baum Stadium.
"It's been tremendous. The program is important to them. I heard Coach Broyles say once 'Those people are givers. They make a difference. They're difference makers.' That's what they've meant to this program. Tom Pagnozzi has been unbelievable to this program in what he has given to us for a player that was a junior college recruit - that Doug Clark recruited - came in here, played one year, and then went in the tenth round with the Cardinals, signed professionally and played in the big leagues for 12 years. He came back and we were talking about some needs and so forth and I'll never forget one day he writes a check for $50,000. The next day he writes another check for $50,000 again. He's been tremendous.
"Yesterday, for me, was the toughest day. Telling my coaches and the players really was tough. I visited with Coach Broyles about this. I went into his office about a week ago and then again yesterday and told him about my decision. I told him I don't know what the future holds, but I would like to be involved in some capacity with the athletic department if that is possible.
Athletic Director Frank Broyles:
"This is an emotional occasion. When you've been on the job 33 years and you have built relationships with friends everywhere, you're loved, you're appreciated, you're admired, you're respected in everything that he does, on the field, off the field, with his players, you know how much he has meant to this athletic program and to the state of Arkansas.
"Norm is the consummate coach, friend, and associate. I can truthfully say in the 33 years, we've agreed on everything. That is something to behold and that's the reason this is such an emotional time for me. The thing about our baseball program is it was led by Norm and his staff with integrity, focus on academics and building relationships with his players, lasting relationships.
"When I judge a coach and the many that have been here in years past, you look at their win loss record obviously, but you also look at the relationships you build with your players and what do they mean to the university, and how they feel about the university when they leave. No group of athletes can surpass what the baseball players of the past 33 years have done for the university and meant to the university and their support of the University of Arkansas.
"That shows me what a coach is supposed to do - go beyond the win-loss record and build lasting relationships. Norm has built relationships with people who have supported the University and Baum Stadium is a direct result of his relationships with Charlie and Nadine Baum and with the Walker family. It would not have been built without those relationships.
"He has relationships with Pagnozzi, and its unbelievable the players and how they respect and admire him. They also have a feeling for what he did for them at the University and we are grateful for that.
"Norm doesn't know this, we've talked about it, but he will stay on in a strong position with the athletic department or with the Foundation, we'll decide later.
"We want him around. We want him to be like Wilson Matthews, a dear friend who was always around, lending his wisdom, his knowledge, and his experience to what we are faced with on a daily basis. Norm will be involved with all that we do with the Razorbacks in the future. We are very pleased to say that he is going to stay with us and let us take advantage of all that he has done in the past and what he can do in the future.
"I want to say to Norm and Caroline it just doesn't get any better between an athletic director, the fans, the coach, and the players than Norm had with this group. Thank you Norm from the bottom of our heart."
Questions:
How much did the strong finish factor in your decision to finish?
DeBriyn:
"That was a factor. I basically had made up my mind and as I mentioned I will miss coaching. I talked to Hal Baird at Auburn when he stepped aside. He said when you make the decision don't look back. Doug Clark and I talked this morning about that and that's what I'm going to do. I feel good. I feel really good about the program and I feel good about my decision. It is tough there is no question about it."
Had you not been in postseason do you think you would come back?
DeBriyn:
"I don't think so. I've been really pondering this hard for about a year, and when I say a year I really mean that. It has been right in that area. I'm not going to say 100 percent, but I don't think so."
Any thoughts on your successor?
DeBriyn:
"Coach Broyles will make that call. He's hired many coaches in the past, he's done a good job and has a great track record. The way I feel is that he will hire the right person for the job."
Is there one memory that sticks out above the others over 33 years?
DeBriyn:
"I remember the first game we ever played was a double header and I couldn't sleep that night, and my feet were sore from standing all day. I remember the 1989 conference championship was a special year. The '85 Southwest Conference Tournament Championship was special where we beat Texas at George Cole Field, that was a special time. That was fun - the '85, '89, and this team was fun. Those are just some quick memories."
Can you give us a time line on when you will hire and new coach and how much influence will DeBriyn have in this?
Broyles:
"I want to pick his brain first. He knows every baseball coach."
When did you finally make a cemented decision to step down?
DeBriyn:
"It was a bout a week ago. It might have been driving back from Wichita because it was such an uplifting thing. Caroline and I came back - I drove back with her alone and basically told her."
Aside from raising money, what do you want to do now?
DeBriyn:
"Like Coach Broyles said, I might be able to be around. I'm a fan. I love football, basketball. I'll go to more practices. I'll go to baseball, maybe I can be involved and help. I really appreciate the opportunity."
Is Fayetteville home from here on out?
DeBriyn:
"I believe it will be. That's what our kids know, that's where they were born, that's where Caroline and I have come to. Fayetteville will be home."
Are you more relieved or saddened that you have made the retirement decision?
DeBriyn:
"Its a tough day. I didn't look forward to this."
How will you assess the effectiveness of your program after you leave?
DeBriyn:
"The job that I've done...its been a good situation. There's a lot of potential here. Baum Stadium is the best. There is a lot of energy, but that's part of the marketing and the team on the field. Doug and Tim have done a good job in putting a good product out there. We've had some success. I think we've held our own. Naturally I'd like to have done better. I'd like to have won more, but that didn't happen.
"I don't think I'm the best of the best. I know I'm not going to look back and say I haven't worked at it as hard as I could."
How has the game changed over the years?
DeBriyn:
"The game has definitely changed. I was talking to Dean Weber last night and we were talking about the wooden bats we used to use. That's a story in itself. When those aluminum bats first came out they were a monster. Over the years they have made that bat a part of technology where the game isn't even the same.
"In college baseball I feel sorry for the pitcher, but they've changed the bat to make it not as high-tech as before. But I would say that the runs scored have meant more in the game of college baseball changing than any other part of the game.
"Coaching and facilities have gotten better over the years. I think college baseball today is more like football and basketball as far as the fish bowl and what you see around the country. It's a big time sport. People are making money in college baseball and the sport is supporting itself in many places now.
What kind of characteristics are you going to look for in a successor?
Broyles:
"Another Norm DeBriyn, the same qualities."
Looking at the program, the talent pool and the facilities, what is your take on that?
Broyles:
"I think Norm has left the program in good standing with the system in place, the fan support, the financial support, the facilites, the tradition is all here. We should be able to attract a number of people who are highly qualified, and I really believe that."
What is the key to the program making money?
Broyles:
"The key, in regards to making money, would be if the Big Ten wins, the argument in the way the College World Series is delayed until after July 4th because of weather. We are going to - and I told Norm one of the things he is going to help me with - try and increase our baseball income to over one-half million dollars. That will put us competitive with anybody and we can pay the salaries and do the things that we want to do to build a national championship caliber program here.
"Right now our income in baseball, because of weather, is about $200,000. We are going to draw up a program and take our income to over $500,000 maybe to $600,000 by next year
<small>[ June 11, 2002, 11:01 PM: Message edited by: calling_the_hogs ]</small>
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