Is Rod Gone?

OK,
(1)Looks like Tennessee is shooting for the 8th seed in the next two series, South Carolina and Florida.

(2)If it doesn't happen can the Vols get an at-large bid?

If (1) & (2) doesn't happen and (3) the Vols top recruit is taken in the draft.

Well, that's 3 strikes.

YES, Coach D should be fired.
How dare he take such a high level program as UT Baseball into the dulldrums........
Look at ALL that the great success this program had before he got here???
Plus, it is hard for him to survive in the "shadow" of such great jobs being done by Buzz and PF.
I'd say Hamilton has more to worry about currently. The Lottery Scholarships have helped spring sports in other states. He probably will have a couple more years.
But of the 3, it would be the easiest for our new AD to fire Rod.

As a casual observer who is certainly not an expert baseball coach analyst, I would think the success of this year would merit some consideration. I think it would be pretty hard to fire a guy whose team has made such a drastic improvement over last year's -- particularly if the team has some degree of post-season success.

I don't know where the credit goes, but I enjoy watching this year's team about 100% more than the last few. However, some might argue the age-old "overall direction of the program" point to justify a change.

Based on recent UTAD decisions and the resulting storm of controversy, it might be Mr. Hamilton that bids farewell first.

I have to let the season play out before coming to any conclusion. There's no doubt that, overall, the team is playing much better this year. The pitching, even with injuries, has performed well enough to win. UT started 2 true freshmen this weekend on the mound. The lack of offense is troubling to say the least.

HV & Bizazz,

We all know that at the University of Tennessee, baseball has not become a high profile sport as of this date. Having been removed from the program for 25 years (yes I am dating myself) I do not have a good feel as to the climate of the program.

1. Is the coach in trouble?
2. Does Hamilton care about baseball?
3. Is Hamilton pre occupied with football tickets?
4. If a change is made, who would they go after?
5. The former players in Middle Tennessee are not happy with the program, what are the former players in Knoxville saying about the program?

Gary Lundy has an article in today's News Sentinel that essentialy discusses that all may not be well in Vol baseball land.

He does not go into many specifics. He does mention recruiting and that Rod always wants to point at the overall stats, not the SEC only stats.

Link to the article:
http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/gv_columnists/article/0,1406,KNS_301_2873658,00.html

You may have to sign-up in order to read the article, but it's free.

Does the general Knoxville populace really care? Doubtful - After all the announced attendance was 1,700 people for Saturday and 1,000 for Sunday. Both days were glorious sunshine filled and perfect for baseball.

And of course the actual attendances would have been 800 and 500.

Bob is right about the attendance. I arrived at the LSU games late because of HS ball and couldn't find a seat near my season tickets in the lower section behing home plate. I arrived at the Vandy games late on both Friday and Sunday -- seats and parking were plentiful. The fact that area high schools were involved in district tournaments probably hurt attendance some. Sunday being Mothers day, and after UT graduation, undoubtedly affected attendance as well. There is definitely a sense of apathy surrounding the program from the fans' perspective. Exciting, winning baseball is a vital step in getting fan interest back.

If I recall AD Hamilton played some baseball in his youth. With the announced improvements to the stadium, UT needs to be careful about how much extra they ask from the fans in terms of contributions and ticket prices while the program wallows in the middle of the SEC East.

Folks from the eastern part of the state are not used to being bested by Vanderbilt. This past weekend cannot help matters. I'm sure both Coach Corbin and Coach Delmonico will be nervously watching the the draft.

Bob,
I had forgotten that article, but when I read it this morning, the thought crossed my mind that I couldn't ever remember the sentinel writing something like that ever in the past.

And he was right on target.

cbg,
1. Is the coach in trouble? (I really can't say it's the end, too much can change)
2. Does Hamilton care about baseball? (YES)
3. Is Hamilton pre occupied with football tickets? (That didn't help things)
4. If a change is made, who would they go after? (Is there someone in Nashville? )
5. The former players in Middle Tennessee are not happy with the program, what are the former players in Knoxville saying about the program? (I have never met a past player that had anything nice to say, most didn't want to talk about the program.)

HV,

Yes there is someone in Nashville that would look good in orange. He even has some past experience wearing another shade of orange that had a little blue mixed in.

I don't know what Vanderbilt is paying Coach Corbin but Tennessee should double it and then get out of his way. If Corbin were at Tennessee they would be capable of going to the SEC Tournament every season and making the College World Series every 2 or 3 years. I have not spoken with a single person that did not like Coach Corbin or his staff. This includes players, parents, teachers, high school coaches, etc... That alone should say alot about Coach Corbin's character!!!!!!

HV and cbg,

Now ya'll have gone from preaching to meddling! Quit it right now!

Coach Corbin is right where he is supposed to be. There are plenty of other places besides Nashville to look.

AdDad25,

I have a gut feeling that the Vols have other things on their mind and baseball is not one of them. If they do decide to make a change they may have too much pride to look at a Vanderbilt coach but he would be at the top of my list. You know that you have a great coach when other teams want him. I am not sure that anyone want's to hire "Ray Bans" away from the Vols. You guy's have a created a great enviroment for college baseball in a short period of time. Congratulations to the Vanderbilt players and coaching staff!!!!

The Vol fans have sent moving trucks to former Tennesse head coaches before their contracts expired and I just want to know if Mayflower had dispatched two trucks to Farragut?
South Carolina 2 Tennessee 1

I cannot offer an opinion as to whether Coach Delmonico will/should stay or go because I don't know the man nor a great deal about his coaching philosophy. And I have been told that Coach Corbin is a terrific head coach. But why would UT want to look anywhere else? I do know Coach Simcox well enough that he'd get my vote if and when Coach D leaves, quits, retires, etc.

Vols loose yet another SEC series!!!!!!! When is this going to stop? Now they have the Gators for the final series this weekend and things sure don't look good.

While I do like Simcox, the Vols need a complete change in their coaching staff. Let's face it Simcox has been around the program long enough that he is now part of the problem. Does Mike Hamilton have the fortitude to fire old "Ray Bans" a week from today.

Achange needs to be made!!

cbg.......you have started this Post Topic on other boards also. Do you have a dog in the hunt or just stirrin' it up??
I dont know if "Rod is gone" or not, but I think it is hilarious the number of Fulmer haters in the Knox Area that want Hamilton to send both PF and Buzz a message by firing Rod.
Whoever the Baseball Coach is in the next few years will be helped by the NEW scholarship money brought on by the Lottery. Which aids all the Spring Teams in GA, FLA and LA for example.
And if he is indeed fired, he should be thanked for taking UT Baseball to a level NEVER seen here before!!

Peddler,

As a former student/athlete at the University of Tennessee (have been gone for over 20 years)I only have a deep desire for them to be competitive year in a year out. They have not been able to do this under Coach Delmonico. It is time for a change and most if not all of the former players in Middle Tennessee know this to be true. Now let's not try to divert the attention away from a very bad baseball team that only finishes in the top 8 of the SEC every 5 or 6 years to the football or basketball programs.

Did the Vols make the postseason?

Spidey,
Where have ya been?

Yes, the Vols will be in Kinston, NS to take on UNC-Wilmington (38-21). The other teams in the Regional are host East Carolina (48-11) and Stony Brook (29-25).

Rod says its just where he wants to be, the last time he was there the Vols advanced to the 2001 College World Series.

Another tournament may be pulled out of the hat by the great one. "Go Vols", "Dores" and "Lightfooted Mules"!

Does the champion of the East Carolina region play the winner of the Virginia region?

Tennessee was given a gift and placed in one of the weaker regionals, they need to take advantage of the stiuation and win.

BEAT THAT DRUM.......cbg..........
"let's FIRE Coach D"

Shoot, being a "former" UT athlete from Middle TN, why don't you just go on strike and start "rootin" for Vandy???

I don’t think so!

1. Record 37-22
2. SEC Tournament participant
3. Made NCAA Regional field

Tennessee plays in the toughest conference in the nation!!!! They are fielding a record 9 teams from the Southeastern conference.



A lot of college coaches and teams would give anything to be in the Vols shoes. I think they've had a good enough season to keep coach Delmonico around. They are in a good bracket and just need to play good solid baseball starting next weekend. East Carolina and UNC Wilmington will not be push overs. They will be fired up and ready to play. With their records they won't be scared of the Vols either. They will have something to prove and so will the Tennessee Volunteers. I hope the Big Orange has saved there best baseball for the upcoming weekends ahead.

Although I don't see eye to eye with Rod's overall recruiting strategy over the last four years, I do appreciate the hard work his players have given this year and wish them the best.

Good luck to the Vols!

Middle Tennessee and Vandy will have to shrug off the "Just Happy to be Here" thoughts and step there games up too! From here on out there are no easy games for any of our Tennessee teams.

Uhh, Ohhh..

RayBans facing his ole Recruiting Coordinator (Mad Mazey - Deer Hunter extrordinaire)...

I got a feeling after Rod's statement earlier about ole Randy this one could be exciting to watch...

Bama,
I thought it odd when remembering that last statement by Ray-Bans on the past recruiting of Tennessee high school talent when to referring "that's why he's my ex-recruiting coordinator".

I looked at the ECU roster and even though the overall number of players is high at 44, 22 are listed as from NC or 50% of the team would be instate players and 3 of those are transfer players. When compared to the now Tennessee roster of 31 players, 11 are instate or 31% and 3 of those are transfer players.

It looks like Mazey has learned how to recruit instate players at ECU.

There is also an interesting article in this morning's Johnson City paper re: Nick Crowe's status with the baseball Vols. Apparently there are some ill feelings between Crowe and Delmonico. You can check it out at johnsoncitypress.com. Click sports and look for the headline

OK. I'll bite. What's not a secret?

You know, sometimes I just don't understand people that follow college baseball. How would Delmonico get fired after making it to an NCAA regional (which sets up decently for them) with an at-large bid.

You guys made it to the toughest conference in the nation's tournament and were nothing until that guy brought the program to where it is. You've been to Omaha twice and that is much more than many schools can say, and your recruiting class (if they don't sign) is unbelieveable.

All I can say is figure it out...

fungohitter,

As a new member you have missed many long threads about the University of Tennessee baseball program.

Folks here WANT the program to be successful.

If you will look at the start of this topic the first post date is early May. At that time the Vols were sliding out of an opportunity to make the conference tournament, which would have meant not making the SEC tournament in 5 of the last 6 years.

Other common topics are about the complete disregard for in-state players, both high school and juco. Players that go on to play for other SEC schools, sucessfully.

Just wanted to bring you up to speed. Welcome to the site!

Thanks for the welcome Bob,

And I did notice the dates on the first posting. I also noticed it was a topic listed at the top which would mean it was accessed pretty recently if i am not mistaken.

I do appreciate the tennessee fan's desire to be successful. i just question their understanding sometimes.

As far as recruiting in state talent, remember, you guys get to recruit nationally, not just the state. Get the best you can from anywhere, not just your state's best. Also, remember you are going to low ball your state guys on money, because they should WANT to go to UT. You have to use most of that 11.7 to go after your out of state talent.

quote:

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Originally posted by PlayersDad:
OK. I'll bite. What's not a secret?

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Let's just say there was some "fistacuffs".

Greek sports event that combined boxing and wrestling. Simple fisticuffs had been introduced in 688 BC.