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Perfect Game website shows a total of 51 commitments to A&M (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).  I wonder what happens to them?  And with the NCAA rule change, kids can transfer and play immediately.  It certainly sets up the next coach to put together basically anyone he wants and will transfer.  It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.  And, to add to the conversation, D1 Baseball just published an article on the A&M coaching change.  The article suggests the short list for the next coach is Tadlock at TT, Schloss at TCU, Vitello at Tenn, and Godwin from ECU is a distant fourth.

For all coaching changes this year, it will be interesting.  A new coach can bring any players he wants that are willing to go with him.  That will definitely change the picture at TA&M and any other schools that hire new coaches.  Keep the best you have already, bring the best from your former school, transfer portal, and then keep the best of the recruits.  BUT.  I will feel sorry for the guys who are there that are not the best.  Their time at those schools will be short and some coaching decisions won't be made until mid or end of summer.

Vitello is the only realistic option from that list.  You better hope you get him or you are probably downgrading with almost any other coach you can realistically get.  If you can't Vitello you are probably looking at an unproven assistant or someone like Lane Burroughs from La Tech.   Maybe Bakich at Michigan would be an option.   

@d-mac posted:

The season ended and his contract was over.  There was no reason to wait, plus it gives the AD the jump start on other programs.   Specifically, the potential opening at LSU.

According to what I know, a coach cannot directly speak to the program or have a formal interview until after his season is over.

This doesn't mean that contact for interest hasn't been made through 3rd party.

@TPM posted:

According to what I know, a coach cannot directly speak to the program or have a formal interview until after his season is over.

This doesn't mean that contact for interest hasn't been made through 3rd party.

Even when there is an opening, most talks go through a third party. That way both parties can deny there was ever any contact/interest.  The top guys aren’t interviewing for other jobs. They just say yes or no.  

The word is that Vitello wants a new stadium in Knoxville.   One thing that doesn’t get mentioned in coaching searches is the cost of attendance, out of state waivers, in state lottery scholarships, etc.  Michigan is doing their own version of Opportunity Vanderbilt.  Georgia, Arkansas and LSU have generous out of state waivers,  lottery scholarships, and low costs.  It may not be as important in a state like Texas where you have hundreds of high D1 prospects.  

@d-mac posted:

Even when there is an opening, most talks go through a third party. That way both parties can deny there was ever any contact/interest.  The top guys aren’t interviewing for other jobs. They just say yes or no.  

Ok you said it better than I did, however third party gives details, are you interested in further discussion, yes or no.

@d-mac posted:

The word is that Vitello wants a new stadium in Knoxville.   One thing that doesn’t get mentioned in coaching searches is the cost of attendance, out of state waivers, in state lottery scholarships, etc.  Michigan is doing their own version of Opportunity Vanderbilt.  Georgia, Arkansas and LSU have generous out of state waivers,  lottery scholarships, and low costs.  It may not be as important in a state like Texas where you have hundreds of high D1 prospects.  

Money is important everywhere. The result of Texas state schools not offering as much creativity in scholarships has been (up to now) that a lot of good Texas players go out of state schools. The cost of attendance is lower.

I understand the not moving unless there is money but I'm sure a new coach coming in will say to the AD I would like to bring these 6 players, find them money.  There are a lot of guys on scholarship that would not stay if they were not welcome by the new coach.  We talk about it all the time on here.  Especially at a P5 school, SEC, you are not staying as a student if you cannot play baseball.  You are out of there and will land somewhere else.  But a player also who has contributed would not stay at their former school if the entire staff that was playing them left and now they can go with them.  They would leave, most would, rather than have to hope the next staff likes them.  Remember there are a lot of coaching staffs that have their certain type of player.  I looked at the difference between UT (Tennessee) and USC (South Carolina) this weekend.  UT is made up of smaller well-built kids who can run and move.  USC has bigger kids who are not as agile but bigger bodies.  UT swings quick bats and USC swings power bats.  UT pitches finesse and USC power pitches.  I think whoever gets job at A&M will bring 5-6 with him.  LSU will only open if he loses first round in SEC championships this week and goes out early in regional.  If he makes any run they will forgive all and he will be good.

Yes, all coaches recruit a specific type of player for their program.

Any coach that takes staff with them shows that they have little integrity for the program they just left. They would have a year to determine if the players at the new program are the type of player they want to keep.

There are specific rules that most coaches follow, not always the written ones. However, the SEC is a different type of animal.

JMO

Honestly this announcement and contract situation surprised me, but I guess I shouldn't  be given Power5 college baseball's "what have you done for me lately" mantra that applies to players and coaches.   I read Childress's book a couple years ago..."All It Takes Is Everything You Got" (recommended by my friend 9and7dad) and that gave me a good glimpse into the world of A&M baseball and where Childress came from.   The title of his book says it all.  You perform or you sit.

After 16 years at the helm of major program maybe it was time to take a break or go someplace where he will be appreciated.   Bjork (A&M AD) is new, younger and possibly that chemistry was not working out...rarely do you get to pick your boss.  I'm a glass is half full guy.   As someone who recently changed jobs/companies, I see this is a great opportunity for Childress to reset, recharge and re-prioritize at 52 years old.  He knows what it takes to get to the "top of the mountain".   I wish him and A&M nation all the best!   

Jus thinking out loud.....   It is extremely difficult to stay on top of that mountain.   When I look at someone like Brian O'Connor at Univ of Virginia, I'm kind of surprised there hasn't been more said recently about his declining program.  He's been there since 2004 and had a lot of success up to 2015 where they won the CWS.  But hasn't done much in conference since 2016.   Childress is kind of the same thing, but they let him go.  Possibly a CWS ring gets you another 5 year contract?  Can't hurt.  Again, just thinking out loud....

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