football coach and I have resigned myself to that fact. I think Croom is as good a hire as we could have had. I AM a little more optimistic about our basketball program. Although Calipari and Patino won't be knocking down our door any time soon, I truly believe we can contend nationally with the coach we have. With that said, our baseball program better act like one of the best programs in the country we claim to be and hire the big name, best coach that our program deserves. I won't knock Raffo because I don't know what he can do. I have seen what the other candidates can do. I also know that Cohen, Steve Smith and other former Bulldogs have had the stones to man up and test the waters out from under the blanket of Polk. These guys have been successful head coaches and more importantly, have figured out that there is more than one way to coach baseball. I think someone posted earlier in the week that if we do hire Raffo and he fails then Cohen will always be there. I look at it just the opposite. If Cohen comes, then Raffo will have the opportunity to find what these other coaches have already found...their own identity. And if Cohen (or another) fails, then Raffo will always be there. And I hate to say this because I never put myself in the category of rooting against my team for the potential betterment of it in the long run. But, I think this series this weekend takes on a very significant role in our future hire. Sorry if any of this is repetitive.
I understand we will never acquire a big name
- Thread starter EinhornisFinkel
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and that hire really ads credibility to the whole cursed by God argument about MSU football. The guy was a proven winner that we were able to hire strictly because nobody else would touch him. Neuheisel , if you will. The fact that even he had some horrible years makes me worry that we are truly religated to the land of a couple of good years every 10.
My point is that we are obviously not USC, Florida etc. when it comes to a football coaching search. We are the equivalent of those schools when it comes to hiring a baseball coach. Jackie was a big name coach that couldn't get work. This was a huge name for us and worked out. But we are finally in the rare position of being someone's dream job, where their current job is a stepping stone. I just hope we don't screw it up. </p>
that with our baseball program, we should really be able to attract a huge talent to the coach position.
State baseball is not the equivalent of USC or UF football or UCLA basketball for that matter. Those programs have won multiple NCs in their sport. I don't know the football or basketball equivalent to State baseball. However, State baseball has never even played for in the NC game or series. Off the top of my head, 4 other schools in our conference have played for in the title game/series in baseball.
Now, I have great respect for State baseball. My point to all this is not to bash State baseball but to say I think you guys are overstating our power to land any coach we want. The job will be very attractive for a number of candidates but it isn't like coaches will be fawning for the job like groupies to a rock star.
Now, I have great respect for State baseball. My point to all this is not to bash State baseball but to say I think you guys are overstating our power to land any coach we want. The job will be very attractive for a number of candidates but it isn't like coaches will be fawning for the job like groupies to a rock star.
They've got a couple of national championships, but their program is held in higher regards than it would be otherwise because of a legendary coach and one of the best fanbases in the country.
Great point, Agent...particularly about the lack of a national championship at State. And even more reason why we shouldn't be held hostage by Polk in this coaching search.
to win an NC in the SEC (*at least that I can remember). UF, SC, & Bama have all played in the NC game. LSU was incredible from 1985-2000...otherwise pretty average, but 5 NCs speak for themselves. UGa really had a great run in 1990 but has been up and down for most years. Bama and UF have been really good at times and really bad at others. SC has certainly been good since the mid-90s (I don't know their history in ACC) Overall in the SEC I would put us in the top 3 programs over the past 30 years and probably one of the most consistent. We have a large fan base and great stadium. We've finished in the top 16 numerous times and CWS 8 times. Even as bad as Polk has been since returning we still won a SECT and finished in the top 8.
Edited to add: If we find the right coach we can be a really good program again.
Edited to add: If we find the right coach we can be a really good program again.
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