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Qualities Of A Great Collegiate Baseball Coach

RT Rounding Third Staff10+ posts
Qualities Of a Great Collegiate Baseball Coach

This is the time of the year when college baseball coaches get their extensions or walking papers. It seems that walking papers for a coach or two and their staff will hit a few notable programs this year. That bit of gossip prompted a discussion on the virtues of a good baseball coach with a group of friends and, as always, the topic got a little heated. But as with all mature men with a passion for one common interest, we came up with what we feel is a solid and attainable definition of what a great coach should be:

Tough
Baseball is a game that really can challenge a player and coach mentally. It's a game of failure. A Hall of Fame player will have failed 7 out of 10 times at the plate over his career. One bad pitch by a pitcher that throws over 90 pitches a game can mean the difference between a win or a loss. It's a grueling game. A good coach needs to be mentally tough himself and teach his players that Tom Hanks was right..."There's No Crying In Baseball". Figuratively, that phrase is the mantra of many top players and coaches alike. They just can't let this game get them down. It will eat them up if they do. Players need a leader as tough as a drill sergeant that they can look up to and lean on for some tough love.

And of all the words to describe the qualities of a coach..."tough love" really hits home to us. A great coach has to unconditionally love the game and it's players first and foremost. And he needs to wear that emotion on his sleeve from time to time to show that his passion is real. Yet, he needs to flash some real fear inducing toughness during basic drills and times of player mental mistakes to show not only who's in charge, but to rub a little of his toughness each day into the psyche of his players. We feel that a tough coach is the best coach and is paramount to a players success. Baseball is a game of mental toughness and players will be better served to have a coach that is hard as nails to the extent and for the purpose of making his players even tougher.

Teacher
A good coach should always teach and never assume that his players know the game. No matter how many years a players has played, there's always something new to learn. A great coach has to be a student and a teacher at the same time. He must keep in touch with new practice techniques and better ways to hone his players skills. And what that head coach does not know, he needs to hire assistants in specialized areas that do know. It's not all about control...It's about the development and betterment of a student athlete. If a top pitching coach is needed, then one needs to be hired. If a head coach, despite the fact that he may have had a great career batting average as a player, doesn't feel he has time to work with his players for one on one consultation due to his administrative duties as a head coach, then a top notch hitting coach needs to be on board, period. The game is not just about a cohesive team of players...but a unified and productive team of coaches as well, not just one jack of all trades, master of none coach.

Mentor
There's a difference between teacher and mentor. A teacher shows players the fundamentals...A mentor shows a player how to process that information and become a mature and mentally sound baseball player and person, for the advancement of his place on that teams depth chart. A good mentor inspires players, preaches a can do attitude and will show a player how a great, positive work ethic can result into a great player and team mate. To be a good mentor involves unprecedented communication skills...a topic we will discuss later.

Organizer and Time Management Expert
After being under the control of their parents, many young freshman and JC transfers may have a tough time juggling their new found freedom with their school work and baseball. To become a great student athlete, they need to have a plan and stick to that plan. Good coaches will give players a pre-game, post game and off-season schedule to help make each player the best that he can be both in school and on the field. I know many coaches that keep a daily log to make sure their players are sticking to those schedules. These guys know that they have brought in a lot of diverse talent at different levels of maturation. Good coaches want to make sure that they stay on top of that talent and never let the student athlete get complacent in school or between the lines. If a team has the goal to maintain its winning ways, then the coach has to manage the time of all of its players. It's not considered a control issue...it's just good common sense, because the school invested scholarship money to those players and each coach (and player) needs to be responsible for that schools investment. And it varies by region and school...some schools tilt towards being lifestyle temptations like Miami and San Diego St. Others are academic based like Stanford, Vanderbilt and Rice...and some fall in between...but each are challenges for a coach to manage.

Young players are just months removed from being their parents dependents and a great coach must hold these very young adults accountable for their actions and teach them the consequences of not staying on track.

Situational Master
This is part of the teacher grouping, but great coaches grill and pound into the minds of their players how to react to the multitude of situations a player will encounter during games. This includes drills upon drills...handouts upon handouts and tests upon tests to make sure his players don't get that occasional brain freeze during a crucial inning. I have attended many minor league rookie league camps. This is the first step for players that were recently drafted by a MLB club. I have seen 21-23 year old rookie pitchers and infielders spending 4-5 hour practices on just bunt coverage. There are 3 hours a day, 7 days a week drills working on turning double plays, hitting a cut-off, scooping a hurried up throw to first and how to scoop a throw and tag a stealing runner at second and third. Yet, just like a body builder relying on multiple repetitions and sets to make him stronger, certain situations have to be ingrained in the memories of the players. Baseball is a game of thousands of situations, and split second timing. When a player reaches the next level, a tenth of second mental or physical delay by a fielder will advance a runner that can run a 6.5 second 60 yard dash, an extra 2.8 feet. That is the difference between being safe and out. A player must know the game, the situation and have the muscle memory to perform these tasks at will.

Mechanical Genius
Proper mechanics are the bread and butter of a great baseball player. A great coach will identify a players mechanics as a hitter, infielder, pitcher, catcher, outfielder etc. Every position has it's unique mechanical criteria. Every hitter has a different approach to every pitch in the count. Every infielder has a spot to cover and a stance to emulate based on outs, pitch count and situation. Every outfielder has to have perfect catch and throw mechanics to be able to make those plays to a base or the cut-off.

Some, but thankfully not all coaches assume that when a player reaches college, that he is already mechanically adjusted...that's why they recruited him in the first place. That could not be further from the truth. While there are some players that have had the advantage of working with private instructors on their hitting, fielding and pitching mechanics when mom and dad were footing the bill during their formative years in high school, as we stated earlier, baseball is a game of repetition. Those skills sets and mechanics need to be re-woven into the synapses of their brain everyday during college. A great coach needs to recognize a hole in the swing of a struggling hitter or a whether or not a pitcher is staying tall or balanced in the balance position, gliding outward, directly toward the catcher...etc. Doing so, will advance that player into the type of contributor they expected when he was recruited.

Respected
A coach that is tough may not get the respect of the players at the outset of the player/coach relationship, but over time and after the fruits of all of that coaching are seen in the stats and win-loss column, that respect will be recognized. We know of several old school coaches that were hated by parents and young players at the beginning...but over time, the good players always realized the sacrifices and the end game that the coach was trying to mold out of his players. Sometimes it is during the season and sometimes it's after the end of a season...but players that take this game seriously will always have respect for that coach that pushed and pushed to get the most out of his players. A coach that takes his job seriously, will be seriously respected by all that walk through his clubhouse.

Delegates
Great head coaches should always hire future great head coaches. A head coach can't do it all. He has to know how to identify other talented coaches that can execute his overall mission and plans to be a winning organization. That head coach has to be as tough to his assistants as he is to his players. Jobs and school revenue are on the line...especially in this economy. Everyone has to be held accountable and the head coach has to know when and who to delegate those tasks to and get the desired results from his players. That means sometimes hiring an assistant that has the same qualities and goals as the head coach.

There are some assistants that are just good at what they do and have no aspirations of advancement. They just love the game, love the players and love to teach. Then, there are those assistants that are great for the program as a whole...They also love the game, love the players and love to teach, but they also want more for the program and eventually more for their career advancement. I know of many great coaches that were not hired or were let go because of their ambitions. They were perceived by the head coach as being a threat to their own existence. Well, if a head coach feels threatened by another great coach, then that coach has his own confidence issues, and that has an affect on team unity and morale.

Winston Churchill has some of the greatest quotes in history and said, "One ought never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Never run away from anything. Never!" Coaches need to stand tall, embrace a challenge and realize that every top quality coach should have ambition...and the more ambitious coaches that are on a team, the more those qualities are passed down to the players. It's about the players first and foremost...they are the benefactors and by embracing another great coach...by embracing his ambition...strengthens the team and the head coach's status as well. Great head coaches were usually under the tutelage of other great coaches at another school.

Communicator
Along with delegating...a great coach and his staff must be the ultimate communicators. No player should ever doubt their standing on the team or their role. Lack of ones standing on the team leads to low morale. If a player is just not living up to his expectation, a good coach will be in his grill to tell that player exactly what he is doing wrong, what he needs to do to fix it to get back on track, and what his present standing on the team is as a result. It's then, up to that player to take that information and process it. He can either sulk or improve his status on the team...but at least the player or players were told the score...and the players that choose to listen and react positively to a coach's comment will become the mentally tough players (the type the coach wants on his team) that will step it up and give the coach what he wants. Great communication also creates great team unity. As long as everyone knows his role on the team and understands and accepts that role, then team unity flourishes. The bench, for those players doesn't become a sentence, it transforms into a unilateral mission to win. And...that kind of positive vibe on the bench wins championships my friends.

Talent Scout and Salesman
Above all, a good coach has to identify the athletes from the role players. College coaches have to know their future needs and what holes to fill. They need to manage that talent search...and develop a pitch, scheduled plan and proper follow through to land that talent. Good coaches know all of the high tech social networking sites to communicate that level of interest and sell the program as if it was the only logical choice for that prospect. When a prospect sits in that office for that coach, he needs to have that feeling that this is the perfect scenario for him as a player. That coach should communicate to the player and his parents on that official visit that his team is going places and that the player fills specific needs for his team. That player needs to know at that time, the expectations and work ethic required to be a productive student athlete and how that school will help him achieve his ultimate goal. A great coach needs to be able to look in the eye of a player and tell him and his parents that he will be better man, a more skilled player in the three to four years at that university and say that with truth, passion and conviction. Developing this type of integrity, relationship and trust up front is a good sign that the recruit will get the same treatment as a player.

A great coach's salesmanship shouldn't stop at the recruiting visit. Coaches need to sell their program to benefactors and alumni as well. We are in an economy that requires athletic programs to pay for themselves in so many different ways. Winning increases gate receipts for sure, but it also can increase advertising, outside support from businesses, team and school alumni, and community fan interest. A great coach has to be the ambassador for the school, respected by the baseball loving community and a motivational figure that is sought out for off-season hot stove meetings, radio and TV talk shows, camps and fund raisers. He is not only a leader of young men, but a strong, respected leader of an entire community...willing to work as hard in the off-season as he does between the lines in the spring.

Universities Need to Strive For the Best of the Best
These are the qualities of a coach that each university should strive to hire and develop. Anything less is a terrible reflection on the the school and undermines the trust and commitment that a player made to that school when he chose to sign a letter of intent to play there. These are young men's futures...these are the children of hard working parents that have sacrificed countless hours and dollars for travel ball, private instructors and showcases, just for the opportunity for their sons to get a chance to continue to play at a higher level. And, since collegiate baseball only rewards 11.7 scholarships to be divided among 27 rostered players, parents are still footing a big portion of that bill. If a coach does not have many, if not all of the aforementioned qualities at the school a player will be attending, and the history of that coach is clouded with mediocre results, then more thought must be given on whether or not this school is for those recruits.

For existing players that do not have a coach with these qualities...the players need to rise above it all and don't let it at all affect them...These players need to be the best they can be...work harder, be more focused, be their own team leaders, win because they all are winners, not whiners...It's OK to lose, as long as the thought process defaults to a burning desire that "you'll get them next time". Remember that players under these conditions were recruited because they had talent...Players need to access that time in their lives that got them to this level in the first place and never let go.

Or...someone other than the player can send this article to that Universities Athletic Director. It will at least give the AD food for thought and may be the difference for prospective players and the future of that program.
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RT Rounding Third Staff10+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by CADad:
You do realize that if you find someone with all those abilities he'll be needed to run the United Nations instead. Smile


This post could be and should be directed at a program you seem to be familiar with....by the look at the logo below your name. Other AD's up in the Northern half of the state should take note as well. Too much mediocrity for a state known for its baseball.
BOFBOF10,000+ posts
quote:
This post could be and should be directed at a program you seem to be familiar with....by the look at the logo below your name. Other AD's up in the Northern half of the state should take note as well. Too much mediocrity for a state known for its baseball.


Northern half? I bet Mike Garrett has this posted on his office wall.
observer44observer441,000+ posts
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Really enjoyed the post. Good food for thought. Nice template for those being recuited or seeking a baseball home, and those in the business of coaching.

The fascinating thing to me is that there is one omission...and it is the one factor that I also see as missing in the vast majority of college programs, and beyond.

It bears remembering and highlighting that baseball at the collegiate level is most often an unber compeptitive environment, the goal to win big for the university, the alumni, the coach and the players. Jobs, careers, budgets, and lives to some extent all can depend upon the performance of a team.

As a natural result of this competitve environment, of chasing success, in the quest of that goal, there is created a natural competitive, production, and performance heierarchy. One that without being given proper respect and attention can work against a team and keep a group from reaching those performance goals as a team, for in the end any goals reached will be a reached by a team not by a few successful individuals.

To be able to "read" prospects for "team", and the ability get individuals at all levels of the hierarchy to all to buy into a shared dream, a shared goal, and shared vision and identitity...to create a real "team" from a group of individuals...to get them all to buy in from top to bottom is he most rare and underappreciated value that coach can bring.

It is only natural and that the vast majority of coaches are naturally geared to "feeding" those that lead the team in statistics and success. However those of you who have who have been a part of "team" success understand that a truly successful team is in the end every player bought in, knowing his role, feeling valued in his role and contributing because he does.

In an era of "celebrity", of individual success at any cost or expense, of free agency at any age, of change rather than work as a means to success...The caoches ability to create team, to stay highly connected to each player, to keep them feeling productive and appreciated every day, to give them a shared vision and keep them all working as toward that vision, and supporting each other relentlessly toward that goal through the inevitable challenges...is a rare commodity, perphaps the most rare...and should be one of the most valued.

Cool 44
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Dad04Dad045,000+ posts
I agree. It is very thoughtful and well put.

There is so much parity in college baseball and college sports in general, with minute differences in overall talaent and quality from the 10th though the 50th best (mid-major) teams. Among the top 10 teams talent carries the day.

From 50 on down the depth of talent just isn't there. The biggest difference maker is coaching. Team chemistry can't be overlooked, but it (good or bad) all starts at the top, imo.
Last edited by Dad04
RT Rounding Third Staff10+ posts
Thanks 44. I touched a bit on how a coach should explain a players role, but didn't make the connection as eloquently as you did on how that affects and promotes team unity. I have added a sentence or two under communication.

This template is a work in progress...and changes daily...I have already changed it up about 6 times since I originally posted it....because I think it's important to the game of baseball to get it as right as possible. We all desire great leadership and sometimes we get it and sometimes we don't. I hope this helps present and future coaches develop young men into future leaders we all can be proud of.
observer44observer441,000+ posts
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RTS..

Thanks.

IMO, not any criticism, and IMO ou are on the right track, stuff like this is always a work in progress, and if the goal is to be thorough and of the most value then it is a team process...thoughts and information should be gleaned from as many sources as possible. It is a team thing once again.

That being said...Frankly part of my point was that IMO, the ability to team build easily merits its own category as it is an art of the highest degree.

Cool 44
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rz1rz15,000+ posts
quote:
Rounding Third Staff quote:
I hope this helps present and future coaches develop young men into future leaders we all can be proud of.


RTS,

Great post.

With a look in a different direction....This post should be in the folder of every player/parent who is part of the recruiting process. A kid and his parents can develop questions based on those qualities and get an idea of what makes a coach "click".
Last edited by rz1
CADadCADad5,000+ posts
Good stuff but my point, which I tried to add a bit of humor to was that you aren't going to find an individual with all of these capabilities. Some of the most successful programs in college baseball frankly fail miserably in some of these categories, while succeeding in others. If anyone goes into the recruiting process expecting to find a coach who has all of these capabilities they are going to be sorely disappointed. If they go into the process and compare coaches using this as a checklist and if they determine what parts of it are most important to their player then it can be very useful. Pat Murphy is the ideal coach for some, and the worst coach for others. On the other end of the spectrum Gary Davis was the ideal coach for some, and the worst coach for others.

College coaches are human beings and along with the all the rest of us they have flaws. I really don't like the attack mode relative to the coaches that came out subsequent to the original post. Some of these guys are going to be losing their jobs in the near future. Some will deserve to, some will be victims of circumstance and some who deserve to be canned won't. Such is life. There's no need to jump on programs or coaches in here.
Last edited by CADad
RT Rounding Third Staff10+ posts
CADaD,

I don't disagree with you...but in basketball there are many Coach K or Roy Williams type of guys that puts it all together. I don't know of any players that come out of those programs unhappy.

In fairness, a baseball coach has to deal with a much bigger roster and the team is divided between pitchers, catchers, infielders and outfielders...a much bigger challenge...But in my opinion...that makes it all the more critical that an AD look to a coach that has most of the qualities I mentioned in my post. The risk of breakdown is greater, so the organizational, communication, teaching and mentoring and leadership skills are paramount.

I think Coach Horton, Coach Tim Esmay (a great guy BTW)down at Arizona State (although its early in his tenure as head coach) come close in baseball. Players love playing for Paul Mainieri at LSU as well....But you see..I have just described a bunch of winning programs. They have figured it out... They have come together as a team and class organization and as a result have the support of the athletic department, the community, and the alumni...it all grows from there.

It's funny...when recruiting, coaches want that 5 tool athlete...the perfect player...Shouldn't players, their parents and the athletic department demand a 10 tool coach to manage him?
ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
quote:
Originally posted by CADad:
Good stuff but my point, which I tried to add a bit of humor to was that you aren't going to find an individual with all of these capabilities. Some of the most successful programs in college baseball frankly fail miserably in some of these categories, while succeeding in others. If anyone goes into the recruiting process expecting to find a coach who has all of these capabilities they are going to be sorely disappointed. If they go into the process and compare coaches using this as a checklist and if they determine what parts of it are most important to their player then it can be very useful. Pat Murphy is the ideal coach for some, and the worst coach for others. On the other end of the spectrum Gary Davis was the ideal coach for some, and the worst coach for others.

College coaches are human beings and along with the all the rest of us they have flaws. I really don't like the attack mode relative to the coaches that came out subsequent to the original post. Some of these guys are going to be losing their jobs in the near future. Some will deserve to, some will be victims of circumstance and some who deserve to be canned won't. Such is life. There's no need to jump on programs or coaches in here.

I think I agree with that!

I still think Rounding Third's analysis is a good one. Even if you find a coach with some of those traits, you might really be finding a good one. Some things can be learned with experience and thus, some of those items may have to be prioritized with the hope the other virtues will be learned over time.

With respect to the team principles that ob44 described, I think that starts with a recruiting philosophy. Some kids are just the right fit for a program even before they step on campus. You recruit enough of them and you find yourself with a pretty good "team" with all the excellent attributes that ob44 described. Of course, good coaches will also nurture and groom those traits.
C CELTDAD10+ posts
Rounding third staff, you guys post great articles on your blog. I would like to thank you guys for some different angles than I would have thought of on some issues. I really like the article on parents chasing good coaches away from HS teams. I think some of your writers are socal guys from what I can figure. I have seen parents who have kids that should probably be cut, but coach keeps them to give them a chance. Sometimes that backfires and parents complain about playing time, without looking at there kids ability. All good coaches will eventually leave if they don't have good support from school leaders. Keep up the good work.
CollegeParentNoMoreCollegeParentNoMore1,000+ posts
quote:
Good stuff but my point, which I tried to add a bit of humor to was that you aren't going to find an individual with all of these capabilities. Some of the most successful programs in college baseball frankly fail miserably in some of these categories, while succeeding in others. If anyone goes into the recruiting process expecting to find a coach who has all of these capabilities they are going to be sorely disappointed. If they go into the process and compare coaches using this as a checklist and if they determine what parts of it are most important to their player then it can be very useful. Pat Murphy is the ideal coach for some, and the worst coach for others. On the other end of the spectrum Gary Davis was the ideal coach for some, and the worst coach for others.


I would second that. My son plays in a competitive conference with all sorts of different styles of coaches and one can easily see uniquely different philosphies towards their players, the game and life. I am not sure any of the coaches in the league come anywhere close to the ideal list shown above.

My personal feeling is a great coach for your kid is the one your son believes in and trusts to do the right thing. (and vice-versa from the coach)
Last edited by CollegeParentNoMore
infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
While I can understand how it would be appealing to create the ideal qualities of a "Great Collegiate Baseball Coach," I am more with CADad and CD on this one.
In my view, a coach can have all kinds of wonderful and great qualities and if he does not have Coachable, hardworking players, he is unlikely to be successful.
Personally, I think players being talented and being Coachable is at least as important as the qualities of the Coach.
Of equal import is the fact that not all Coaching situations are equal. Within that framework, some do amazing things that outsiders might call "disappointing."
Pointing to Horton, Esmay and Maineri and setting them up as the "ideal" is not, for me, a fair standard to place in the mindset of most HS players and parents. Those guys have resources and funding that are not accessible to many college coaches.
There are terrific college coaches who deal with high academic standards, programs that are not fully funded, limited budgets or other constraints.
From everything I have read and learned from CD and others in the Coastal Carolina program, Coach Gilmore sounds like someone I would want a young coach to emulate.
Pete Hughes is another because he built BC when it was underfunded and a non-entity and now is doing it again at Va. Tech.
On the West Coast, there are a lot of positives about Coach Giarantano and what he does at San Francisco.
I think our son is one of the luckiest young college coaches in the Country because of what he is learning and the Head Coach/coaching staff from who he is learning.
I doubt that any of these 4 possess the same qualities nor how many of the posted qualities that RTS has summarized each might posses.
I do know that not every player comes out of their program with rave reviews.
I also know the large majority of players come out of their programs far better players than when they started, their teams get better as the year progresses, their teams tend not to beat themselves and they have a plan for success.
These coaches drive themselves far harder than they ever do with the team/players.
What I am also learning is that when everyone is off the field and out of the locker room, the quality Coaches day is usually just starting. During that time from when practice ends until the next one begins, great college coaches are not only critiquing the play on the field, they are critiquing the coaching they did and how to improve.
They are also able to separate why they are coaching. They know it is the players game and they are coaching so that at the end of the game, end of the season, the player got better and got results;
the team got better and got results; the program got better and got results; and the goals that have been set for the program were met both in terms of those for the season completed and the ones set for next Fall to begin.
In my view, if one was forced to pick, I would categorize the single most desired quality as integrity between the coach and player. Each needs to possess integrity and each needs to manifest it in that relationship from the time the player is recruited until the coach player relationship ends.
Last edited by infielddad
fanofgamefanofgame5,000+ posts
quote:
In my view, if one was forced to pick, I would categorize the single most desired quality as integrity between the coach and player. Each needs to possess integrity and each needs to manifest it in that relationship from the time the player is recruited until the coach player relationship ends.




And that is all I can say on the topic. Frown
RT Rounding Third Staff10+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by infielddad:

In my view, if one was forced to pick, I would categorize the single most desired quality as integrity between the coach and player. Each needs to possess integrity and each needs to manifest it in that relationship from the time the player is recruited until the coach player relationship ends.


I agree with that too..But to get to that point...integrity has to be earned...Integrity is a combination of all of the other 10 attributes I listed. It's communication...mentoring...organization...etc.

Listen, I put together this list as a template...As I stated in another response...Coaches want that 5 tool athlete when they recruit a player...Do they get it...NO...
MLB, or one of the top 20 programs get those guys...but a good coach will work with that 3 or 4 tool recruit and make him better and work with the strengths that he has and try to improve on the weaknesses to the best of his ability. That player, if he is coachable, will respond and work hard to be the best he can be as well and everyone wins.

Likewise, an AD is not going to always find a 10 tool coach. But, over time, and with some good, honest work ethic, a coach can aspire to be someone better...because as he works to get better...guess what happens...the team gets better...the resources to support that program get better and the program becomes a snowball of opportunity.

My post is not a 10 commandments for coaches...in that if they don't do this they will will be cast into a life of misery...It's meant as a mission or goal to try to the best of their ability to attain. If they try...they care...if they care...they will be successful coaches and will have a long, respected career.
Last edited by Rounding Third Staff
infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
RTS,
I come at integrity in a little different way, but we probably end up at the same spot.
My view is the coach and player start their relationship based on integrity. That integrity then manifests itself in communication, mentoring, organization, etc. While I think there are situations where integrity can result from the other attributes, my personal view is a College Coach needs to start the relationship with integrity.
If, in the recruiting process, they say they will call on a certain day, they do it.
If they say they are going to come to a game, they do it.
If they are going to miss, they tell the recruit.
Same with the player.
In my view, it is very difficult, not impossible, but difficult, to build integrity as a player-coach when it did not exist in recruiting.
Beyond that slight distinction, I think the rest of your post and thoughts are terrific.
Thank you for starting this thread and for the thought and effort that went into the process and results you posted. There is a lot for readers to glean and learn.
More knowledge is better in finding solid coaches doing great job for their players. They are not always the ones on ESPN in Omaha! But they are the ones working with every resource they have to be one of them.
Last edited by infielddad
CADadCADad5,000+ posts
infielddad,
We mostly dealt with the pitching coach, but that was what stood out for us there. We felt like we knew exactly where my son fit or didn't fit into the picture there. I think the program has done pretty well despite a nearly Ivy League type approach to academics that isn't shared by the rest of the conference.
Last edited by CADad
ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
I have really enjoyed this thread and everyone's response thus far!

I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine whose son is headed to the D3 college world series. He said "I love our coach, but I am not sure he is a great coach" I said, "Interesting, but at some point the coach has got to get some credit, afterall, it was he who recruited and picked the players" This same coach is also on his way to Appleton for the second time so I suspect he knows something about coaching - at the bare minimum - picking the right players which may be the most important attribute of all.

One other comment, infielddad mentioned Coastal Carolina and I did not mention them since it may have seemed self-serving. They have never had a top 25 recruiting class yet they have finished ranked in the top 25 or better now for four years in a row and five out of the last six seasons. This year they are ranked in the top 5 or better in every poll yet again, none of their recruiting classes have come close to that ranking. They'll probably be a national seed this year and will host regionals for the third time in the last four years. They are excellent at finding the right guys for their system (hard-working, blue-collar) and coaching them up.
RT Rounding Third Staff10+ posts
Cleveland Dad,

Coach Gilmore is a class act, can be tough, but that guy knows how to coach the game better than most. He has the resume too. Good collegiate player...minor league experience...scout...he rose through the ranks and learned and absorbed as much as he could before he got his shot at USC Aiken...and never looked back...Great story..great guy...If your son is associated with that program, then he is a lucky man indeed. There needs to be more coaches like Gary.
Last edited by Rounding Third Staff
Coach_MayCoach_May10,000+ posts
The most important thing a coach can bring to the table is the ability to inspire his players. The ability to connect with them. The ability to make each one of them feel special and important withing the team concept. Players will run through a brick wall for a coach that they believe will run through one for them.

You can pay a guy to teach hitting instruction , pitching instruction , fielding instruction. You can hire great baseball minds to assist you in teaching the game and managing the game. You can recruit the best players and the most talented players. So can many other schools. You can not buy character. You can not buy integrity.

You can beat the pants off a more talented team that is not inspired that is disjointed that is simply going through the motions. And you can do it on a consistent basis with a team that is inspired. An ispired team will exceed their own ability. They will reach their full potential. They will die trying to accomplish their goal. And they will have a tremendous amount of fun while their doing it.

Dont tell me I cant do something. Inspire me to do something.
Dont tell me want I cant do. Inspire me to do things I never dreamed of doing. Dont tell me I am insignificant. Inspire me to be everything and more you inspire me to be.

Great coaches can have no clue how to manage a game. Have no clue how to field a ground ball. Have no clue how to teach pitching mechanics. Great coaches inspire. They can hire others to do those things.

Just some thought. Others have posted some great stuff.
P PGStaff10,000+ posts
Lots of good stuff and a very interesting topic. Thanks RTS!

Coach May, that is good stuff. I actually knew a coach who was exactly the type of coach you're talking about. His major ability had little to do with teaching the game, but he sure could inspire kids to play "better" than their ability level. Also, every kid who left his program, left there with a deep love for the game.

That said, I think the very best coaches are good at all the important things. I also think the best coaches know their weaknesses and strengths. They also continue to learn until the day they hang it up. They also outwork the competition.

There are a lot of outstanding college coaches in all parts of the country. When one of them gets a new job, you know what's going to happen and it almost always does.

Just for a couple examples, and there are many examples...

When Jim Toman took the job at Liberty a couple years ago, many people knew that the program was going to be something special because we all saw his work at South Carolina. They have already broken every school winning record and are 40-17 this year. Liberty, of all schools, has a nationally ranked baseball team and it is not a surprise!

When Kevin O'Sullivan left his assistant job at Clemson to take over the head coaching position at the U of Florida, most everyone knew what was going to happen. They are 40-14 this year and ranked near the top. Everyone knows that they will be a perennial college power for as long as O'Sullivan is there.

These things don't happen by accident!
These are just two examples of the type of coach that is going to win where ever they coach and there are others.
P PGStaff10,000+ posts
Coach May,

I searched and found an old thread from August of 2007 where someone asked about Liberty on behalf of their son. This was shortly after Jim Toman was announced as taking the job. Here was what I replied...

quote:
I understand it is a Christian school, but it is one that will be very good in baseball.

The new coach, Jim Toman, was one of the most respected recruiters in all of college baseball at South Carolina. This is a baseball program to watch closely over the next 4 years.

From a coaching standpoint, this is a great opportunity for talented players. Jim Toman has hired several top level assistants and Toman has plenty of NCAA DI College World Series experience. Liberty will be producing a lot of draft picks under Toman.

After talking to Toman in Georgia this past summer, we have no doubt about the direction Liberty is headed.


Here's the whole thread.

Liberty
Coach_MayCoach_May10,000+ posts
I met coach Toman many years ago at a camp at NC State. I had taken a couple of players to the camp and was just hanging around watching. Coach walked up and introduced himself and we talked baseball for almost an hour. I could tell he was a great guy and just loved the game. He had that personality that you just love to be around. I met coach O'Sullivan down East Cobb when my youngest son was 15. He walked up to the cages and struck up a conversation about the kids in the cage. I saw him many times that week and every time I saw him he would stop and talk baseball , players etc. He has that same type of personality.

Another person I would put in that same mold is Assoc HC at South Carolina and former Coach at UNC Chad Holbrook. The first time you meet them you feel like you have always known them. The bottom line is they are just genuine people who do things the right way.
ClevelandDadClevelandDadHSBBWeb Administrator
I think more good points are being raised here. Some high level assistants who went on to become head coaches have been mentioned. I believe the successful head coaches have the ability to attract/identify quality assistant coaches. I agree that Coach O'Sullivan deserves lots of credit but so does Jack Leggett for hiring him. Same with Tim Corbin at Vandy.
rz1rz15,000+ posts
While I'll never argue the accomplishments or reputation of a good coach, I always get a kick out of the ease to drop names of coaches from the "pretty" schools who are sometimes crowned as a result of win/loss records, recruiting hotbeds, and/or a good publicist. IMHO there are many coaches like Gordie Gillespie from the "other" programs who have probably touched more lives in and out of baseball than anyone on today's "hot list" and without the hype. What we seldom hear when the accolades are laid out are coaches who are just as proud of a graduating bench player as their team stud. From the local Tech College to the major D1's I doff my cap to any coach who makes a difference on and off the field.

Gordie WHO?

"That someone is the legendary Gordie Gillespie, longtime baseball, basketball and football coach. With a list of accomplishments far too numerous to list in this section, Gordie might best be described by a quote associated with Paul Bear Bryant, the late, great Alabama Football Coach.

It was said of Bryant, "he could take his and beat yours, or he could take yours and beat his." Within a few minutes conversation with Gordie, you realize he has that same presence and that you are in for a tremendous experience. This is someone you immediately would love to play for, or coach with."

That is quiet an accolade
Last edited by rz1

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