In today’s Daily Journal, I did capsules on five possible candidates to replace Ron Polk.
They were:
• John Cohen
• Tommy Raffo
• Steve Smith
• Brian O’Connor
• Pat Casey
On Friday, I’ll take a look at:
• Mike Anderson (Nebraska)
• Jeff Brantley (former MSU and MLB pitcher)
• Tim Jamieson (Missouri)
• Dan McDonnell (Louisville)
• Buck Showalter (former MSU player and MLB manager)
Inside Mississippi State Sports with Brad Locke 
May 29, 2008 at 10:45 am |
On the CL blog, it is mentioned that State has request to contact Casey but has been denied permission to talk to him by the AD.
May 29, 2008 at 11:13 am |
He just signed a new contract in 2006, which expires in 2016. Of course, we all know what contracts mean.
May 29, 2008 at 11:29 am |
I don’t think I want Casey as the next coach. The more I think about it, the more I like O’Connor and Cohen
May 29, 2008 at 11:38 am |
The more I read on O’Connor, the more I think he’ll be a really, really good fit.
May 29, 2008 at 11:41 am |
How much do you think the whole “ties to the university” will play into it though?
May 29, 2008 at 11:57 am |
I don’t put a lot of stock into “ties to the university.” What I think the program needs is a shot in the arm, a new perspective, and a lot of excitement. I don’t get that from anyone with “ties to the university.”
Gregg, I agree that the more I hear and read about O’Connor, the more I like. He is young enough to bring the energy, but experienced enough to bring legitimacy.
After reading Casey’s comments, I don’t think that MSU needs a coach who is “tired” after winning back-to-back WS Championships and then having a losing season. It sounds like he is sour grapes about this year and I don’t like that attitude.
May 29, 2008 at 12:04 pm |
I was excited at first about Casey, but, after looking closer, he’s had about as many losing seasons as winning ones.
May 29, 2008 at 12:05 pm |
Initially Casey looks good but the comments don’t sit right with me either. And how do you not get back to regionals after to back to back CWS. Cohen and O’Connor at their ages should have plenty of energy left which may be what we need. I want to wrap it up, but would like to see both of these coaches further prove themselves with successes in regional and super-regional play (even if it requires waiting a couple more weeks).
May 29, 2008 at 12:06 pm |
No offense Corinth, but I wasn’t talking about what you thought about it. I meant how much do you think it will mean to the people making the hire.
May 29, 2008 at 12:11 pm |
I agree completely corinthdawg, we need someone with the experience, but still young enough to have the motivation. “Ties with the university,” sounds like “different coach with the same approach to the game.” O’Conner seems to fit the profile.
May 29, 2008 at 12:14 pm |
Good point bigdraws, this place is very “political,” maybe not so much in athletics though.
May 29, 2008 at 12:16 pm |
For those of you who haven’t read on O’Connor, here is his bio on Virginia’s website. It’s pretty impressive.
http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=88829&SPID=10613&DB_OEM_ID=17800&ATCLID=1134136&Q_SEASON=2007
May 29, 2008 at 12:21 pm |
Tillo, he’s only had two losing seasons.
May 29, 2008 at 12:55 pm |
Greg, I think Dave Serrano should be one of our top candidates. Remember U. Cal. Irvine last year at CWS? 3rd place and he got Nat. Coach of the Year. was there around 4 years, was at Tennessee before that. Was hired after last year as Coach at Cal Fullerton. Probably would not leave Fullerton, though. You can read about him here, but the info at the top of page is not correct.
http://fullertontitans.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/serrano_dave00.html
May 29, 2008 at 2:52 pm |
Yeah. I remember him from last year, curtiswyn. Pretty good coach from what I remember.
May 29, 2008 at 4:47 pm |
GG, kinda on topic. Is the Palmeiro kid we’re looking at in baseball relation to Raffy?
May 29, 2008 at 4:58 pm |
I doubt it, draws. I’m just told he wants to come to MSU.