C-L article this morning about the baseball coaching search......

[ArrowDawg]

I thought I'd point out these little nuggets from the article:

MSU's focus shifts to finding Polk's replacement
</p>

Regardless of the time frame, the debate inside the MSU baseball community will continue. One former player, pitcher Jay Powell, said Saturday that MSU should capitalize on its stature as a national leader among baseball programs.</p>

"I think they owe it to themselves in the program to expand (the search) as far as they can," he said.</p>

Bless you Jay, bless you. Thanks for believing in the MSU baseball program and what it can be.

</p>

But a pair of Bulldogs who actually suited up in Saturday's loss to Arkansas disagree.</p>

"We all feel strongly about Coach Raffo," said first baseman Tyler Moore, echoing what players said when Polk's resignation was made public in later March.</p>

Justin Pigott, a senior pitcher whose career ended earlier that day, echoed Moore.</p>

"He's not Coach Polk; he's totally different," Pigott said. "He has his own ideas and things he wants to do. ... I think it'll work best, instead of changing everything up."</p>

Umm, Justin, in one sentence you said Raffo is totally different and has his own ideas. In the next sentence you said it'd work best to keep him "instead of changing everything up." If he truly has his own, totally different ideas, then wouldn't we be changing things up? Something to ponder..........

</p>

 

[patdog]

"He's not Coach Polk; he's totally different," Pigott said. "He has his own ideas and things he wants to do. ... I think it'll work best, instead of changing everything up."</p>

Let's see. We just went 9-21 in the SEC and are something like 90-110 in the 7 year Polk II era (with the best SEC record coming in year 2 with McMahon's players). Yeah, no need for us to even think about changing anything up. </p>

 

[Coach34]

this is an example of guys liking a coach, seeing change on the horizon, and being scared of the unknown.

Got to love Powell saying it like he did. Excellent quote.

 

[Hanmudog]

With all due respect to Justin, his opinion is irrelevant because he won't be at MSU. The others can deal with the change or get out. If they don't want to play for our next coach then I am sure that Cohen/Showalter/Smith or whoever will find capable replacements to throw the ball into the outfield on throws to second base.

 

[Stormrider81]

The players are naturally going to side with Raffo and with Polk. I would expect nothing less. That's who they play for and they like these guys. The alternative is hiring a coach they don't know.

It would be the same with most people here. If your main boss retired you would want his assistant promoted (given that the assistant was someone you liked) rather than having the company bring in someone new.

I don't know why they'd ask a player. What else are they going to say anyway? Even if one of them felt like the program should hire from without they aren't going to say that on the chance that we actually hire Raffo.

 

[Goat Holder]

I don't know why they'd ask a player.

I know exactly why they would. To stir **** up. It's the Clarion Ledger.

 

[Xenomorph]

...nobody has ever mentioned Jay Powell for a position on the staff.

 

[DowntownDawg]

...from the radio broadcast.

1) Jim said twice that Jay Powell said that Ron needs to be involved in Mississippi State at some capacity. I find it interesting that Powell would say this and also be in favor of a national search. Sadly, Jay doesn't realize that these two concepts are mutually exclusive in Ron's mind, apparently.

2) Templeton was on in the 6th? and said something like (paraphrasing): "I hope our fans don't get too upset at Ron over some of the things that he has said in regards to the future. Ron is very emotional, and he just wants what's best for Mississippi State. People need to realize that, despite what he has said, when the dust settles and his replacement is named, Ron will be a bulldog through and through." And he may have even gone on to say that Ron would be involved. I can't remember.

 

[ScoobaDawg]

I have to say I'm a little torn about Polk being around in capacity, from hearing from others about his last retirement and staying around in administration form. Supposedly, Polk was constantly stopping by practices and causing Pat Mac problems during his time still around.

If we bring in someone who Polk doesn't agree with (hopefully when whoever is hired he will calm down and agree to agree with the choice), and keeps putting himself back into the mix (which i have no doubt he will try to do.. seriously, the man never will have another thing to do in life but Baseball) it will seriously disrupt the team transitioning and moving forward.
I hate to put the old dog out, but If he wont be able to put his ego aside ( which he hasnt shown he has ever) and realize it is MSU Baseball and not just Ron Polk baseball, even after he is retired then he needs to be nowhere near campus. Head on back to Arizona.

 

[Todd4State]

but he needs to let whoever run this team. His time has come to an end and now he needs to step aside. It happens to everyone.

I really do like Polk, and I would like for him to come back and be involved with his prescence at the games and events, but I also would have liked to see him win a National Championship. Both aren't going to happen. I bet Powell does realize this, and it was just wishful thinking on his part.