When he was first hired in 1976 (he was only 32), SEC schools were playing at glorified High School stadiums, football assistants were coaching the baseball teams for a few extra dollars, and football players played to stay in shape and get out of having to play Spring Football.
Every team had one really good pitcher, one mediocre pitcher, and the rest of the staff was usually filled by the Left Fielder or 3rd Baseman coming in for relief.
Ron Polk decided to make college baseball a major sport. He largely succeeded in the SEC, where everybody has good stadiums and there's a lot of good atmosphere.
I remember in 1985, when he was at the height of his powers. He seemed like the young and energetic coach, while Jake Gibbs seemed old and out of place. Times have changed.