Have seen a few comments on this site discussing coaches that, shall we say, are "acquired tastes". Conversely, are there coaches out there that are nearly universally beloved by their players (and families?)
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Wechson posted:Have seen a few comments on this site discussing coaches that, shall we say, are "acquired tastes". Conversely, are there coaches out there that are nearly universally beloved by their players (and families?)
D3 has a better balance of academics vs athletics than D1. So you will find more of your “beloved” (your term - not mine) guys in D3 than you will D1. In D1 you have a better chance of finding that guy at a mid-major than you do a P5 program. Not too many (if any) Herb Kellehers in SEC, ACC, Big12, etc.
Wechson,
I suspect you'll get crickets from current players about their current HCs. Nobody I've ever met likes their current HC. In my experience, it is only through the passage of time the player begin to understand their HC and possibly appreciate him. "Universally beloved" is a huge ask for a current HC coach. You may have better luck with a position coach. Those are the guys that develop a bond or relationship with the players.
Good luck!
adbono posted:Wechson posted:Have seen a few comments on this site discussing coaches that, shall we say, are "acquired tastes". Conversely, are there coaches out there that are nearly universally beloved by their players (and families?)
D3 has a better balance of academics vs athletics than D1. So you will find more of your “beloved” (your term - not mine) guys in D3 than you will D1. In D1 you have a better chance of finding that guy at a mid-major than you do a P5 program. Not too many (if any) Herb Kellehers in SEC, ACC, Big12, etc.
Makes sense, although I'm sure some are out there. Bakish at Michigan got a fair amount of attention given the CWS run, and his players sure seem to respond to his approach.
The following statement has nothing to do with Bakish personally. Don’t always believe what you see and hear on tv. It’s hard enough to evaluate what is real when meeting a coach during recruiting.
College coaches are typically paid to win or be fired. Winning is how they pay the mortgage and feed their family. 18-22yos are tools of the job to reach the objective. What you are more likely to hear is a thirty year old or older player praise a former coach for the discipline and work ethic he learned from the coach than a current player telling you what a great guy he is.
fenwaysouth posted:I suspect you'll get crickets from current players about their current HCs. Nobody I've ever met likes their current HC.
"Keep the players who hate you away from the players who are undecided."
RJM posted:College coaches are typically paid to win or be fired. Winning is how they pay the mortgage and feed their family. 18-22yos are tools of the job to reach the objective. What you are more likely to hear is a thirty year old or older player praise a former coach for the discipline and work ethic he learned from the coach than a current player telling you what a great guy he is.
True. I'm pretty sure even Bill Walton wasn't a fan of John Wooden while he was a player at UCLA...
From what I could tell, Adrian Holloway at Selma was very well loved. But then this summer Selma cut all sports due to budget concerns. Holloway has a bright future in Baseball
I'll bite. Never met the guy, but his email responses to my boy were always very engaged and thoughtful. VC said that he has the boys over in groups of 4 or 5 on selected Sundays to feed them and prepare for some kind of service project the next week. Takes the team on a trip to Europe every 4th summer to play ball. I have heard many parents and baseball people in general say very good things about him. Bob Babb at JHU.
I’ll second that about Babb from friends who have current players at JHU and how he communicated with my son.
Kimb27 posted:I’ll second that about Babb from friends who have current players at JHU and how he communicated with my son.
Have heard this about Babb as well and have been impressed with his email communication. Also hear near universal praise of Coach Twardoski at Emory. As someone earlier pointed out this question is surely more easily realistic to answer with D3 coaches.
"I need these guys more than they need me." Coach Matt Deggs.
This interview is from 2017 loss at Super Regional.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEPNkUrwS7U
He replaced the late Coach Tony Robicheaux in July 2019 at U of La, Rajun Cajuns..."...pursues & cares about the hearts of our student athletes as much or more than their athletic ability..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjosHDh0fVA
Coach Matt Deggs' is well Beloved!
Mike Fox
baseballmom posted:"I need these guys more than they need me." Coach Matt Deggs.
This interview is from 2017 loss at Super Regional.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEPNkUrwS7U
He replaced the late Coach Tony Robicheaux in July 2019 at U of La, Rajun Cajuns..."...pursues & cares about the hearts of our student athletes as much or more than their athletic ability..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjosHDh0fVA
Coach Matt Deggs' is well Beloved!
I hate to rain on a good parade Paula, but this is one of those made for TV movies that has a lot of creative license. You can’t always believe what you see on TV. Just sayin....
My son and us loved Coach Fred Jordan who was at The Citadel. He was tough but loving. Knew that we were 5 hours away and always played a big part in making us feel comfortable when we were there. He especially reached out to my youngest son who was 8 years younger. Every time, he was at a game or practice Coach Jordan would let him be bat boy and workout with the team. He would let him warmup with them before the game and field balls in bp. Gave him full access to the lockerroom and dugout. Made sure that he was next to him when they lined up to do the anthem. He was tough at times but knew how to love on his guys and meet their needs. He understood the cadet life on players and parents and helped everyone work through it. He was also very successful which rare that you can be a good guy and be successful.
Nobody I've ever met likes their current HC. .....Yeah I used to sit up at night and lose sleep worrying about if my players liked me. 
. Years ago I was at a clinic and a kid was doing pretty well. I asked him when tryouts for his high school team was. He replied he was not trying out. Reason he did not like the coach. Sad
Kimb27 posted:I’ll second that about Babb from friends who have current players at JHU and how he communicated with my son.
Anyone with a player at JHU that can confirm this?
I asked him when tryouts for his high school team was. He replied he was not trying out. Reason he did not like the coach. Sad .........The same thing happened to me many years ago I asked the same question. got the same answer Here is a question maybe should have been asked to him. what makes you so sure you would make the team in the first place so you might not have to worry about the coach?
John Harvell, Head Coach Christopher Newport University. Very successful program over many years. My oldest son when he played for CNU was just one of those guys that can be downright hilarious. I told Coach Harvell once to feel free to bust his chops if he got out of line. He replied, "I could never do that because I am normally laughing just as hard as the players ". Great sense of perspective. How many coaches give out "fun demerits"?
Our experience from HS to now entering son’s senior year in college are pretty similar. The 25-27 guys who play like the entire coaching staff a lot more than the 8-10 that watch. And the families who for whatever reason leave the program before their eligibility is up won’t have great things to say.
You will also find the outlier on either side of that but pretty rare in our experience.