2007 Verbals

quote:

Originally posted by Dtiger:
62Tiger- I've heard many rumors about the situation down there with my dad being an ex-aggie. What is your impression? Or what is anyones impression of what is going on down there?

DT, if your dad is an Aggie, then you should know there is no such thing as an "ex-Aggie".

quote:

Originally posted by Dtiger:
Having the number 1 HS recruit in the nation wouldn't have hurt them. But I can't lie, I'd rather listen to Shep talk about how the kid is doing in pro ball.

Gotta agree with you on that one.

Knowing the coaches at A&M on a personal level, I would say give it more than 1 year for evaluations. Let "their" recruits come in to tell the story.

It always amazes me to see people critique something they know so little about. Rob Childress did have head coaching experience and Matt Deggs is as good as they get.

But I guess that doesn't matter, it's easier to bad mouth something than it is to find out the facts.

quote:

Originally posted by Texan:
Johnson's hiring at SHSU was only announced a couple of weeks ago. Probably scrambling to get rolling.

Add catcher Heath Pugh (Crockett HS, DBAT, Navarro) to the committed list. Heath will be a sophmore at SHSU next year.

Texan- Good point. I had forgotten about that. It's UT that always has the Texas-ex stickers.

There are no ex-Aggies. Once an Aggie, always an Aggie!

Fortunately or unfortunately my dad reminds me of that quite often... until football season.

quote:

Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:
Knowing the coaches at A&M on a personal level, I would say give it more than 1 year for evaluations. Let "their" recruits come in to tell the story.

It always amazes me to see people critique something they know so little about. Rob Childress did have head coaching experience and Matt Deggs is as good as they get.

But I guess that doesn't matter, it's easier to bad mouth something than it is to find out the facts.

I should have said that Childress did not have any head coaching experience at any 4 year institution (D1, D2, D3). He did have 1 (one) year at a local Jr. College; otherwise, he has been an assistant. Forgive my omission....but the point remains the same: he has had precious little experience running a program as the top guy. That doesn't make him a bad guy (nor does it make him a bad baseball guy)...one just wonders if that makes him the guy to run a program in the Big 12.

As far as Matt Deggs goes, I am sure you have a personal relationship with him, like him, etc. By the same token, he is 'touted' as an offensive coach. You'd have to look pretty far to find a D1 school who had a worse offense last year than Texas A&M. They had 1 guy hit better than .300 (a transfer from Sam Houston who hit .308). Their offense was anemic.

I hope you don't mind those facts. Sometimes it is easier to put on rose colored (maroon colored?) glasses than face the facts....

quote:

Originally posted by Waffle:

quote:

Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:
Knowing the coaches at A&M on a personal level, I would say give it more than 1 year for evaluations. Let "their" recruits come in to tell the story.

It always amazes me to see people critique something they know so little about. Rob Childress did have head coaching experience and Matt Deggs is as good as they get.

But I guess that doesn't matter, it's easier to bad mouth something than it is to find out the facts.

I should have said that Childress did not have any head coaching experience at any 4 year institution (D1, D2, D3). He did have 1 (one) year at a local Jr. College; otherwise, he has been an assistant. Forgive my omission....but the point remains the same: he has had precious little experience running a program as the top guy. That doesn't make him a bad guy (nor does it make him a bad baseball guy)...one just wonders if that makes him the guy to run a program in the Big 12.

As far as Matt Deggs goes, I am sure you have a personal relationship with him, like him, etc. By the same token, he is 'touted' as an offensive coach. You'd have to look pretty far to find a D1 school who had a worse offense last year than Texas A&M. They had 1 guy hit better than .300 (a transfer from Sam Houston who hit .308). Their offense was anemic.

I hope you don't mind those facts. Sometimes it is easier to put on rose colored (maroon colored?) glasses than face the facts....

Again, wait until they have players to work with that they have recruited.

What makes you think that Childress and Deggs could turn a team around that struggled in years before their tenure. For the most part, same team, not their selected players. And by the way, that transfer SS... a DBAT guy. Oh, and Sulentic and Kershaw signees....DBAT guys.

Talk to me in 5 years. Unless, that is, your still complaining about the blueberries in your WAFFLES.

Peeking over my sun glasses regards,

KG

Matt Deggs took over a struggling program at Texarkana JC and in 3 years had them in the JUCO World Series with fewer scholarships than most any team in their conference and/or region. Including San Jac, Navarro and Blinn. He will help produce a winner at A&M no doubt about it.

KG is right, this guy is good. One of the best coaches I have ever had the opportunity to coach against.

1. I don't get the point that some of the guys at A&M were DBAT guys. First, I think DBAT is great program and probably the best in the Dallas area. They are talented, well-coached, etc.

2. I don't doubt Deggs or Childress are good men, probably good coaches if put in the proper role.

3. I do disagree with the struggling program concept to some extent. In Johnson's last year at A&M, they were 30-25. The new coach gave them a 10 game swing ....downward. The year before? They were in the Super Regional. In Johnson's 20-plus years there, he had 1 losing season (2000). Childress has already tied him.

4. As far as taking over a program and needing time to let their 'own' recruits change things, that is an excuse, and a bad one at that. Drive a little further south and look what happened when an experienced head coach took over a program in much more disarray (and a lot less money than A&M's) -- Rice hired Wayne Graham. In his first year, Rice went from 16-34 to 29-26 and the rest, as they say, is history. That's how you turn around a program.

With that being said, this all got started because of some questions raised about A&M's recruits/verbal commits for this year. Others raised issues first about A&M. I hope A&M can rebound to some of the grandeur it had under Coach Johnson. It will make baseball in this State more competitive and more enjoyable. I wonder if Childress will schedule a home and home with Sam????

did J Walker sign or his he still headed to A&M

Exactly, Waffle. For the life of me I can't understand how a Super Regional indicates a struggling program.

Johnson was the winningest coach in A&M history, & one of the best among the active coaches in all college ball. A real class act. But "Dollar Bill" wants to put in his own crew. So one "down" year was all the excuse Dollar Bill needed. Of course last year looks pretty good compared to this season.

I was very disappointed that the program was unable to hire a proven, top tier coach. But after the way Johnson was treated, it appeared to create some misgivings among their first cadre of candidates. They were unable to land any of their top choices. So now we can only hope that the new crew can adjust to their new roles & succeed.

..unusually intersting observations.

And, congrats to all the DBAT boys......a talented group to observe far into the future.

This proves again, that discussing an issue with those who really don't understand the "behind the scenes" aspect of the game... will get you nowhere fast.

From the outside looking in, your comments may be justified. But if you justify the coaching change by a 10 game swing with a close to .500 team both before and after....only proves my point.

I'm sure Mark Johnson is a fine man. His history says so.

But let's give the new guys a chance to gather their own history. Unless you call 1 year a history.

For now, I will further hold my comments on the A&M coaching topic hoping to devote the thread back to the original purpose.

quote:

Originally posted by Marcos:
did J Walker sign or his he still headed to A&M

I can't find where he was drafted. I do note that (besides Kershaw) both Sulentic and Britton did sign. Tough losses for the Aggies.

I'm sorry, KG. I forgot that you are the only person in the world with any baseball knowledge.

Johnson's last years:
2005 30-25-1
2004 42-22 NCAA Super Regional
2003 45-19 NCAA Regional
2002 35-24
2001 33-27
2000 25-32
1999 52-18 Big 12 Championship, NCAA CWS
1998 46-20 Big 12 Championship, NCAA Regional
1997 37-21 NCAA Regional
1996 44-22-1

Yessir, that is a record that just SCREAMS for a coaching change. Yep...

Yes, there was a fall off in 2000. But the overall trend after that year was certainly up. Looking at 2001 & beyond, 2005 was a glitch, not a trend.

His record at A&M: 876 victories, 433 losses, and three ties. Speaks for itself.

Again, best of luck to the new crew.

Texan,

I never debated whether or not Mark Johnson did well or a coaching change was necessary.

Simply stated that judging a new coaching staff on 1 year with players they didn't recruit is rediculous.

Your post SCREAMS so much knowledge. In achieving it, try reading the previous posts.

quote:

Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:
What makes you think that Childress and Deggs could turn a team around that struggled in years before their tenure.

I did read your posts, as you can see above. Did you or did you not post the above? Did someone hack in the system & post this for you?

"Struggled for years" - your words, are they not?

You're right, you didn't "debate whether or not Mark Johnson did well". You just said his program had "struggled for years".

Did my last post address your statement? Yep. Sure did.

'Nuf said.

quote:

Originally posted by Texan:

quote:

Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:
What makes you think that Childress and Deggs could turn a team around that struggled in years before their tenure.

I did read your posts, as you can see above. Did you or did you not post the above? Did someone hack in the system & post this for you?

"Struggled for years" - your words, are they not?

You're right, you didn't "debate whether or not Mark Johnson did well". You just said his program had "struggled for years".

Did my last post address your statement? Yep. Sure did.

'Nuf said.

2 post season appearances since 1999 doesn't prove much success in my book.

Nuff said.

And five in the last ten years isn't too shabby in my book.

Have a nice day.

Going back to the real part of this thread, congrats to all those who have signed - regardless of with what college or coach.

These young men have accomplished much with their hard work. Many would like to play college ball, few do.

May they enjoy continued success (especially those playing for A&M ).

My Two Cents if either of you care.

I feel like the glory days of Texas and Texas A & M being the only two choices for a blue chipper have changed over the last 10 years.
Cause could be TV coverage or the media getting on the ball and giving other exposure or whatever to other programs. Winning a National Championship at Rice woke everyone up that it could happen anywhere.
There were many great coaches at many great schools that never got the exposure that the BIG TWO did. That has changed. Throw in the June draft taking signed prospects and signing following their junior year and a pitching staff can go dry in 1 year. It starts on the mound.
Junior Colleges have become more of an option as well with players now being more educated on their choices.
Maintaining greatness is harder now than ever in college baseball.
As George Bush would say "I think you are both correct in your own way!"

You are correct. The Big 12 is a very good & tough conference. Add in the other major Texas schools (Rice, TCU, etc.) and this is a hot region for baseball. Not to mention San Jac & the other JUCO's.

That draft can hurt as well. If I recall properly, one year A&M had six pitchers drafted. Talk about wiping out your staff.

And then there is that wonderful scholarship allotment for baseball...

quote:

Originally posted by Texan:
I'm sorry, KG. I forgot that you are the only person in the world with any baseball knowledge.

Geez, and I thought it was only me!

Back to business...

Aaron Shultz, INF. from Klein Collins commits to TCU

Texas gets verbal from Brandon Workman (P) from Bowie HS.

Hunter Hill from Prestonwood commits to Central Florida.

That a boy Hunter.

Congratulations to Hunter!

Rice gets on the board with Rick Hague from Klein Collins.

Chase Reid- RHP from Southlake Carroll/ Dallas Mustangs verbals to Vanderbilt.

Way to go, Chase!

Huge CONGRATS to Chase and the Reid family . Extremely well deserved and couldn't be happier for all the Reids.

Great pickup for the Commodores and the SEC.

Hey Chase, take it easy on my Bulldawgs when you face them . You've got a great future ahead of you!!!!

Congrats to Chase. As good as he is as a pitcher, he is a better person. Best of luck to Chase at Vandy.

C Mickey Armstrong (The Woodlands) commits to Texas Tech.

Kendall Korball (Langham Creek) commits to Arkansas.

Chad Bettis (Lubbock Monterrey) commits to Texas Tech.

The Aggies get another verbal...this time from Brooks Daley (Uvalde).

LSU sneaks across the border into Texas as the Tigers get a verbal from Johnny Dishon (Bridge City).

Waffle - you are going to have to change your name to "Verbal"

Thanks for the updates, you are chock-full of great information!

quote:

Originally posted by Waffle:

Even with the losses, the 2006 group is a good one (certainly appearing much better overall than the 2007 crop). We'll just have to see from there. Maybe the Ags have some surprises in store...