Brantley interested?....
- Thread starter dawgstudent
- Start date
if he wants one. He knows pitching very well and could land some big prospects with his name and connections. I think his major league experience makes him a much better candidate than Raffo, plus he is a known face in baseball circles.
Interesting name to come up. Good. The more, the better.
Interesting name to come up. Good. The more, the better.
As much as I love Jeff Brantley, this would be a bad mistake- possibly even worse that hiring Raffo. Seriously.
The man has never, to my knowledge coached at any level, has never recruited, and has been out of college baseball other than the occasional CWS broadcast on ESPN.
Pro baseball and college baseball are two totally different animals. A lot of pros get into college and think that high school kids will flock to their school because "they know people in the pros". That's just not the way recruiting works. You can't call up someone from your AAA team if someone gets hurt, and if you need pitching, you can't make a trade with LSU for a pitcher.
The man has never, to my knowledge coached at any level, has never recruited, and has been out of college baseball other than the occasional CWS broadcast on ESPN.
Pro baseball and college baseball are two totally different animals. A lot of pros get into college and think that high school kids will flock to their school because "they know people in the pros". That's just not the way recruiting works. You can't call up someone from your AAA team if someone gets hurt, and if you need pitching, you can't make a trade with LSU for a pitcher.
we went to the Braves/Reds game Friday night. On the way back Saturday we listened to the Reds broadcast and two things came up in conversation:</p>
1. Brantley did a great job on the broadcast. One inning (the 6th I believe) he does the play by play. The rest of the game he does color. He knows baseball for sure, but he was really entertaining as well.</p>
2. Even though I never thought about it, would Brantley be a good choice? We then debated if you are going to go that route (former pro player) why not go with Buck since he's actually managed/coached before.</p>
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1. Brantley did a great job on the broadcast. One inning (the 6th I believe) he does the play by play. The rest of the game he does color. He knows baseball for sure, but he was really entertaining as well.</p>
2. Even though I never thought about it, would Brantley be a good choice? We then debated if you are going to go that route (former pro player) why not go with Buck since he's actually managed/coached before.</p>
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Coach34 said:
in 1985.
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About the best we could hope for is a guy like Don Kessinger at Ole Miss- and that's BEST. Like I said, I'm much more concerned about recruiting than whether he knows the game or not. You can't win without good players. He also has to manage their scholarships- not easy when you have a little less than 12, and that's not exactly something that you have to worry about even in the minors.
I'm OK with him as a pitching coach, but not as the HC.
For all the reasons already stated. I didn't even like the Showalter idea. There are too many nuances of the college game nowadays with recruiting, schollies, etc. for someone with no college experience to take over a major D1 program. Again, see Tony Gwynn above. I would rather have Raffo. Did I just say that???
that would be ....played college baseball and knows how it works....check..
Can sit down and explain the different aspects of coaching...check.
Is a proven winning coach at a Div I program....not so much.</p>
Can sit down and explain the different aspects of coaching...check.
Is a proven winning coach at a Div I program....not so much.</p>
didn't he get it crushed in at the Cherokee a couple of years ago? I'm a little concerned about his decision making.</p>
....you are always talking about how we should fire Croom and Stansbury and go out and get somebody "better." You refuse to acknowledge that in football, and to some extent basketball, we have several disadvantages to overcome. We aren't a top 20 job in either sport, yet your underlying philosophy is that we underachieve compared to what you expect in both, and that if we tried we could get better coaches than what we have now (which MIGHT be true with football, but is ridiculous with basketball).
In BASEBALL, the one sport where we are a top 20 job, and have the facilities, money, fan support, and tradition to compete with most programs out there, you are constantly chirping about hiring people that are borderline qualified at best. You talk about a Division II coach or somebody that has never coached on any level. This is the one sport that we can go out and get somebody great, and you act like we have to settle for these guys. Next, you'll be talking up Raffo.
In BASEBALL, the one sport where we are a top 20 job, and have the facilities, money, fan support, and tradition to compete with most programs out there, you are constantly chirping about hiring people that are borderline qualified at best. You talk about a Division II coach or somebody that has never coached on any level. This is the one sport that we can go out and get somebody great, and you act like we have to settle for these guys. Next, you'll be talking up Raffo.
and the guy is very knowledgeable about the game. He was an outstanding college and pro pitcher. He has intensity and drive...
Let me tell you something:
1. 2/3 of the people on this board could figure out how to divide the schollys. You check on family income, possible grants they are eligible for, as well as talent and need. Its not rocket science, but you do have to be careful about balancing it. Every coach in the nation makes some mistakes, and some do it better than others. And when they make a mistake, they run them off and get someone else. Brantley could do this.
2. Recruiting is about recognizing talent, having the personality to sell your program, and having a program that recruits are interested in- This is where Raffo lacks and so does Polk. Neither has a personality worth a ****. Brantley would be ok this department as well.
3. Mike Kinnison is qualified and only a moron would say he isnt. He has a 17'ing National Championship. If Ohio St can hire a coach from a lower level in football to lead their football program, I think Miss State could hire one to lead its baseball program. Cohen?? He is damn sure qualified- he won the SEC at 17'ing Kentucky. They were the Miss State of SEC football 2001-2006 in baseball before he got there. Brantley?? He's intriguing due to his career here as well as the pros, and his knowledge of the game. I never said he should be a frontrunner, but there is no reason he shouldnt be talked to about it if he desires. I think we need to interview at least 8-10 people for the job. Whats the harm in talking to him?
Let me tell you something:
1. 2/3 of the people on this board could figure out how to divide the schollys. You check on family income, possible grants they are eligible for, as well as talent and need. Its not rocket science, but you do have to be careful about balancing it. Every coach in the nation makes some mistakes, and some do it better than others. And when they make a mistake, they run them off and get someone else. Brantley could do this.
2. Recruiting is about recognizing talent, having the personality to sell your program, and having a program that recruits are interested in- This is where Raffo lacks and so does Polk. Neither has a personality worth a ****. Brantley would be ok this department as well.
3. Mike Kinnison is qualified and only a moron would say he isnt. He has a 17'ing National Championship. If Ohio St can hire a coach from a lower level in football to lead their football program, I think Miss State could hire one to lead its baseball program. Cohen?? He is damn sure qualified- he won the SEC at 17'ing Kentucky. They were the Miss State of SEC football 2001-2006 in baseball before he got there. Brantley?? He's intriguing due to his career here as well as the pros, and his knowledge of the game. I never said he should be a frontrunner, but there is no reason he shouldnt be talked to about it if he desires. I think we need to interview at least 8-10 people for the job. Whats the harm in talking to him?
if we hired Brantley.
He would probably look at this as a "fun job" to "give him something to do". The man has money, so all he would be doing is fart around Starkville. He's already accomplished in baseball in the Big Leagues. What does he care if he does well at State as a head coach or not? He probably would care less if we won or not. And like I said, as far as recruiting, he probably would fall into the trap of "I don't have to recruit because high school kids will want to come play for me to learn how to get to the Big Leagues. They'll fall into my lap." (Does this sound familiar to anyone?) In the meantime, you'll have Bianco begging people to come and tell them that he needs them. The High School kids will go where they feel they are wanted- like Stephen (I didn't know he could pitch) Head. It has happened time and time again with Big Leaguers. Not just Gwynn, but also Bill Freehan and Geoff Zahn at Michigan, Randy Bush at New Orleans, and Don Kessinger at Ole Miss, who while he managed to take them to a Regional, also ran their program into the ground. I guarantee you every one of those people I just mentioned know the game well, to.
Just because he's intense on the air, and was intense as a player doesn't guarantee that he will be the same as a HC.
I would like him as a pitching coach, but that may be a little much to ask for.
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He would probably look at this as a "fun job" to "give him something to do". The man has money, so all he would be doing is fart around Starkville. He's already accomplished in baseball in the Big Leagues. What does he care if he does well at State as a head coach or not? He probably would care less if we won or not. And like I said, as far as recruiting, he probably would fall into the trap of "I don't have to recruit because high school kids will want to come play for me to learn how to get to the Big Leagues. They'll fall into my lap." (Does this sound familiar to anyone?) In the meantime, you'll have Bianco begging people to come and tell them that he needs them. The High School kids will go where they feel they are wanted- like Stephen (I didn't know he could pitch) Head. It has happened time and time again with Big Leaguers. Not just Gwynn, but also Bill Freehan and Geoff Zahn at Michigan, Randy Bush at New Orleans, and Don Kessinger at Ole Miss, who while he managed to take them to a Regional, also ran their program into the ground. I guarantee you every one of those people I just mentioned know the game well, to.
Just because he's intense on the air, and was intense as a player doesn't guarantee that he will be the same as a HC.
I would like him as a pitching coach, but that may be a little much to ask for.
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T
thetruth08
Guest
.........is because he lacks any head coaching experience. He has no record to stand on. Saying I'd be interested in Brantley would be setting a double standard. He's just as inexperienced as Raffo, and therefore should not be anywhere near the top of the list.
I think someone mentioned Brantley could be considered a sa pitching coach, and that'd be fine by me, but not head coach.
I think someone mentioned Brantley could be considered a sa pitching coach, and that'd be fine by me, but not head coach.
T
thetruth08
Guest
Coach34 said:
</p>Ron Polk?
He has made his mark in baseball. We need someone that wants to make his mark on the game because they are more likely to work harder to make us into a National Championship contender again. Just about every candidate that has been named by someone fits at least that criteria, except maybe Pat Casey. JB doesn't need to succeed for the money.
And then what if he doesn't want to give up his announcing gig like Tony Gwynn at the beginning of his HC career at SDSU? That would be as bad or worse as Polk writing letters to the NCAA every offseason.
At least Buck Showalter has coached players before. And I would have many of the same concerns about him getting hired.
Now, if Brantley were to come here as a pitching coach, I think that would be a great move. But at the same time, we better make sure that our hitting coach is a darn good recruiter while JB learns the ropes of recruiting.
Plus, does JB really strike anyone as a guy who would be a HC? I can't really put my finger on it, but there's just something that says "this guy shouldn't coach". I do think he's a great announcer, and that probably is where his best fit is.
Bottom line: This would be an attention ***** hire that would be talked about for maybe a day or two on ESPN that is WAY too risky for us to take given the current circumstances of our baseball program. It is absolutely paramount that we make a good, reasonably safe hire to fix the baseball program.
Brantley is in his mid-40's- not mid 60's like Polk. We werent saying anything about Polk not caring about winning in 1987-1988.</p>
I think he is interesting due to his baseball knowledge and intensity, plus he is the greatest pitcher in school history. All I'm saying is that there is nothing wrong with him being a candidate, and listening to what he could bring to the job.</p>
I think he is interesting due to his baseball knowledge and intensity, plus he is the greatest pitcher in school history. All I'm saying is that there is nothing wrong with him being a candidate, and listening to what he could bring to the job.</p>
Mrs. Raffo used to be fine. Haven't seen her in a few years, but I bet she still ain't hard on the eyes.
...but there are exponentially more success stories of D1 assistants being promoted and being successful and D1 head coaches taking another job being successfull. Let's see: Urban Meyer. Since Urban Meyer won a national championship at Florida, that means we should hire a proven successful D1 head coach, right? Wait. Gene Stallings was a Bear assistant and he won a national championship. Well, by God, that means we need to hire Raffo, right? Do you see how ridiculous your point is? It's totally irrelevant what Ohio State did in FOOTBALL for Christ's sake, and on top of that, what worked out for them is the exception rather than the rule. A good coach is a good coach no matter where they come from. The difference is that we DON"T HAVE to take a chance on a DII coach that is unproven at this level or an assistant that has never been a head coach. It's all risk based. The least amount of risk comes from hiring a head coach who has been a success at our level of play, and that's the benefit of having a top 20 job opening. You are being absolutely ridiculous, even for you.
And another thing. If you are talking about giving Brantley a courtesy interview, that's one thing, but other than that, don't interview him unless you are serious about him. Who knows, he could give a great interview, and Byrne could be as star struck by him as you, and we get stuck with him for the next four years. That's the harm in it.
We need to go out there and start with Pat Casey and work our way down. In the end, we need a proven head coach at the D1 level, or a top assistant at a top D1 program.
And another thing. If you are talking about giving Brantley a courtesy interview, that's one thing, but other than that, don't interview him unless you are serious about him. Who knows, he could give a great interview, and Byrne could be as star struck by him as you, and we get stuck with him for the next four years. That's the harm in it.
We need to go out there and start with Pat Casey and work our way down. In the end, we need a proven head coach at the D1 level, or a top assistant at a top D1 program.
Either one I think would be ok, who knows without them ever getting the opportunity. Jeff aint coming to be an assistant, that one is out of the equation. I think he would do a fine job developing one of most important issues as a program right now, pitching. Being the head coach I would think he would hire someone that could teach and develop young pitchers. I'm sure Jeff would have a pretty influential role in that too. All of this is relative though. Nobody knows how he will actually do, and it aint like it matters because we aren't the ones doing the hiring...
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