Cohen:
1. Took over a program from a well-liked, longtime coach with a winning record (Keith Madison, 1979-2003, 735-638-5, .535). Kentucky's previous two regional appearances had been in '93 and '88.
2. Led his team to two regional appearances in four years (including '08), hosting it one year. No national seeds.
3. No super regional appearances.
4. Career record is 131-93-1 through 2007 (.582).
5. Career SEC record is 47-71-1 (.398). Has one SEC title.
6. UK's '08 record is 42-17, 16-14.
7. 42 years old.
8. Area of strength is hitting.
9. Played at MSU.
Anderson:
1. Took over a program from Dave Van Horn (currently @ Arkansas), who had led NU to the CWS in '01 and '02. Anderson was an assistant at NU from '95-'02.
2. Led his team to five regionals in six years (including '08), hosting it four years. National seed twice.
3. Has appeared in two super regionals, winning once (2005). 1-2 in '05 CWS.
4. Career record is 214-100 through 2007 (.682).
5. Career Big 12 record is 81-54 (.600). Has two Big 12 titles.
6. NU's '08 record is 40-14-1, 17-9-1.
7. 43 years old.
8. Area of strength is hitting.
9. Played at Northern Colorado.
I'm not trying to pile on Cohen by repeatedly comparing him to other possible candidates. While I was trying to prove a point when I compared him to O'Connor, I'm including him this time just for the sake of comparison, and he is a logical choice since so many people here have him as their #1 choice.
While Anderson has won a lot more games, he was starting with a much more successful program (coming off two consecutive CWS berths) than Cohen. Still, Anderson has had some success in the post season, while Cohen hasn't. I might slightly prefer Cohen here, but I'd be pretty pleased if we were to hire Anderson, and I'm surprised his name isn't being mentioned hardly at all.
1. Took over a program from a well-liked, longtime coach with a winning record (Keith Madison, 1979-2003, 735-638-5, .535). Kentucky's previous two regional appearances had been in '93 and '88.
2. Led his team to two regional appearances in four years (including '08), hosting it one year. No national seeds.
3. No super regional appearances.
4. Career record is 131-93-1 through 2007 (.582).
5. Career SEC record is 47-71-1 (.398). Has one SEC title.
6. UK's '08 record is 42-17, 16-14.
7. 42 years old.
8. Area of strength is hitting.
9. Played at MSU.
Anderson:
1. Took over a program from Dave Van Horn (currently @ Arkansas), who had led NU to the CWS in '01 and '02. Anderson was an assistant at NU from '95-'02.
2. Led his team to five regionals in six years (including '08), hosting it four years. National seed twice.
3. Has appeared in two super regionals, winning once (2005). 1-2 in '05 CWS.
4. Career record is 214-100 through 2007 (.682).
5. Career Big 12 record is 81-54 (.600). Has two Big 12 titles.
6. NU's '08 record is 40-14-1, 17-9-1.
7. 43 years old.
8. Area of strength is hitting.
9. Played at Northern Colorado.
I'm not trying to pile on Cohen by repeatedly comparing him to other possible candidates. While I was trying to prove a point when I compared him to O'Connor, I'm including him this time just for the sake of comparison, and he is a logical choice since so many people here have him as their #1 choice.
While Anderson has won a lot more games, he was starting with a much more successful program (coming off two consecutive CWS berths) than Cohen. Still, Anderson has had some success in the post season, while Cohen hasn't. I might slightly prefer Cohen here, but I'd be pretty pleased if we were to hire Anderson, and I'm surprised his name isn't being mentioned hardly at all.