First of all, I don't think anyone will be hired until July 1 at the earliest, but here is my biased list on people that have been talked about and some personal picks.
John Cohen- Most obvious candidate, and I think he probably gets offered the job at the very least. Pros- Has shown that he can win in the SEC at a non-traditional baseball school. One of the most innovative coaches in America today- especially as far as hitting is concerned. Is familiar with the program and Byrne. Cons- Lack of postseason success and rumor that some players don't want him. I think a lot of people are making a mistake in just basing his career at UK. Cohen has also won at Missouri and Northwest Louisiana, and was probably the best hitting coach in the SEC at UF.
Dan McDonnell- Pros- Excellent recruiter, and took Louisville to CWS in first try. Is familiar with the state of Mississippi. Cons- Associated with Ole Miss, which may cause a rift between some of the more ignorant fans, and his follow up year at Louisville he is only 19-14.
Pat Casey- Pros- won TWO National Championships at Oregon State. Also may have an association with Byrne from his days at OSU. Cons- Oregon is a LONG way from Mississippi. Especially for someone from Oregon who has lived there his entire life. Has a 10 year contract from OSU as well.
Paul Manieri- Pros- Really wanted MSU job at least at one time. Is familiar with the SEC and seems to genuinely like the atmosphere. Built programs at ND and did about as well as could be expected at Air Force. Cons- He's at LSU, is from Louisiana, and has only been there for two years. You would think he would like to try to build a program there.
Rick Jones- Pros- Turned Tulane into a power even while LSU was winning NC's. Has been known to reel in big name transfers, although Bourbon St. probably gets at least an assist. Also an excellent recruiter. Cons- Never has coached in the SEC.
Brian O'Conner- Pros- Has shown that he can coach and recruit and has built Virginia into a very solid program in about four years. Cons- Same as Jones, but at least Jones has shown that he can recruit in Mississippi at least a little.
Steve Smith- Pros- Ties to Polk and has done a good job at Baylor while having to compete with Texas and A&M for plaeyrs. Cons- Is a Baylor alum, and probably would bring back much of the same staff from previous MSU teams- many that were considered good but not great. Probably is a what you see is what you get choice.
Buck Showalter- Pros- BIG name, would probably make National headlines. Has ties to Polk and was known for player development and has a great eye for talent. Cons- Most Big Leaguer to College transitions have been failures or average at best moves. See Tony Gwynn at San Diego State and Don Kessinger to Ole Miss. Has not recruited in his life and has been out of college baseball for 30 years. Would be a huge gamble.
Mike Kinneson- Pros- Only coach in Mississippi to win a NC. Is familiar with the state and is a no-nonesense coach who would probably be a very welcome addition to MSU. Teams are always solid. Cons- Has never coached at the D-I level and the SEC is probably a lot more treacherous than the Gulf South Conference.
Tommy Raffo- Pros- Gives continuity, would keep Diamond Girls taken care of and best of all, we wouldn't have to listen to Ron ***** about how his guy wasn't given a shot after every loss. Cons- No experience, and has really only shown to be an average at best assistant. Would be a major gamble, and would have to win over an already pissed off fan base that probably won't give him much of a chance.
John Cohen- Most obvious candidate, and I think he probably gets offered the job at the very least. Pros- Has shown that he can win in the SEC at a non-traditional baseball school. One of the most innovative coaches in America today- especially as far as hitting is concerned. Is familiar with the program and Byrne. Cons- Lack of postseason success and rumor that some players don't want him. I think a lot of people are making a mistake in just basing his career at UK. Cohen has also won at Missouri and Northwest Louisiana, and was probably the best hitting coach in the SEC at UF.
Dan McDonnell- Pros- Excellent recruiter, and took Louisville to CWS in first try. Is familiar with the state of Mississippi. Cons- Associated with Ole Miss, which may cause a rift between some of the more ignorant fans, and his follow up year at Louisville he is only 19-14.
Pat Casey- Pros- won TWO National Championships at Oregon State. Also may have an association with Byrne from his days at OSU. Cons- Oregon is a LONG way from Mississippi. Especially for someone from Oregon who has lived there his entire life. Has a 10 year contract from OSU as well.
Paul Manieri- Pros- Really wanted MSU job at least at one time. Is familiar with the SEC and seems to genuinely like the atmosphere. Built programs at ND and did about as well as could be expected at Air Force. Cons- He's at LSU, is from Louisiana, and has only been there for two years. You would think he would like to try to build a program there.
Rick Jones- Pros- Turned Tulane into a power even while LSU was winning NC's. Has been known to reel in big name transfers, although Bourbon St. probably gets at least an assist. Also an excellent recruiter. Cons- Never has coached in the SEC.
Brian O'Conner- Pros- Has shown that he can coach and recruit and has built Virginia into a very solid program in about four years. Cons- Same as Jones, but at least Jones has shown that he can recruit in Mississippi at least a little.
Steve Smith- Pros- Ties to Polk and has done a good job at Baylor while having to compete with Texas and A&M for plaeyrs. Cons- Is a Baylor alum, and probably would bring back much of the same staff from previous MSU teams- many that were considered good but not great. Probably is a what you see is what you get choice.
Buck Showalter- Pros- BIG name, would probably make National headlines. Has ties to Polk and was known for player development and has a great eye for talent. Cons- Most Big Leaguer to College transitions have been failures or average at best moves. See Tony Gwynn at San Diego State and Don Kessinger to Ole Miss. Has not recruited in his life and has been out of college baseball for 30 years. Would be a huge gamble.
Mike Kinneson- Pros- Only coach in Mississippi to win a NC. Is familiar with the state and is a no-nonesense coach who would probably be a very welcome addition to MSU. Teams are always solid. Cons- Has never coached at the D-I level and the SEC is probably a lot more treacherous than the Gulf South Conference.
Tommy Raffo- Pros- Gives continuity, would keep Diamond Girls taken care of and best of all, we wouldn't have to listen to Ron ***** about how his guy wasn't given a shot after every loss. Cons- No experience, and has really only shown to be an average at best assistant. Would be a major gamble, and would have to win over an already pissed off fan base that probably won't give him much of a chance.
