After 16 years a change is coming. It was announced this morning.
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Third longest active streak of NCAA tournament appearances ends this year at 13. A very tough season in College Station for the Aggies. Of course being the only school to have three guys drafted in the top 50 in 2020 didn't help the roster for 2021.
It’s way past time for a change. Recruiting has gone downhill over the past 10 years
@adbono posted:It’s way past time for a change. Recruiting has gone downhill over the past 10 years
They have a stud SS headed there next year. Wonder if he still shows up.
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.
I have been hearing those top 3 names also. I don’t buy it as being realistic at all. It’s more of a wish list - and if it were my wish list Vitello would be the only one of those names on it. All those guys have seemingly great situations where they are.
All the fan forums are saying Tadlock, Schloss, and Vitello as well. Some act like they have knowledge but who knows.
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.
I was just going to say that. This year will be unlike others because players can go, follow their coach and not sit out. I heard that another big rumor is Vitello to LSU. I'm guessing no announcements for a 2-3 weeks.
@baseballhs posted:All the fan forums are saying Tadlock, Schloss, and Vitello as well. Some act like they have knowledge but who knows.
I think most fan forums are opinions w/o knowledge to back them up - but you never know. Hard to imagine why any of those 3 guys would leave a good existing situation to go to a rebuild. Everything I have heard is just speculation.
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.
It would stand to reason that A&M AD already has his man since an announcement was made today.
@adbono posted:It would stand to reason that A&M AD already has his man since an announcement was made today.
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.
@d-mac posted:Maybe Bakich at Michigan would be an option.
This is the one I've been thinking of under the assumption Childress would be non-renewed. I don't see the others with the possible exception of Vitello. Even if Vitello doesn't move, I'm guessing he's getting a raise.
@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.
It’s been known for some time (at least in Texas) that Rob’s contract would not be renewed. So without a doubt plenty of off the record conversations have been going on for a while. I believe this would have happened last year if not for Covid.
@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.
A local 2020 here was committed to A&M, but something went sideways last June and he ended up at Nebraska (Childress’ old home). Who just won the Big 10 today. The kid is starting. And raking.
It’s a tough business. When a Coach doesn’t win enough he has to go tell his family that they have to sell the house and move.
Remember that when looking at fall rosters, how many players get cut/asked to leave, and how many “top prospects” don’t play.
College Baseball is “step up, or sit down and/or leave.”
@DanJ posted:A local 2020 here was committed to A&M, but something went sideways last June and he ended up at Nebraska (Childress’ old home). Who just won the Big 10 today. The kid is starting. And raking.
Current HC at Nebraska and at least one Asst were popular Asst Coaches at A&M. That probably has something to do with it.
@baseballhs posted:They have a stud SS headed there next year. Wonder if he still shows up.
No
Tech just announced a $12Mish upgrade to their baseball facilities earlier in the week.
Although the new transfer rule is in place, most of the "difference maker" players aren't going to move unless their is $ money for them. I'm sure Childress had A&M maxed out on scholarships just like any other school.
Will Bolt to Tex A & M?
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
Based on what I know and have seen, I would expect most of the Assts to go with Childress (or go to another program). But I will be surprised if many of the players want to follow him to his next stop.
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....
It happened to Jack Leggett as well.
I see a decline in the ACC. Surprising, yet other successful programs have struggled as well this covid year.
Speaking of Clemson, i'm hearing Monte Lee is on the hot seat. May get one more year to turn it around.
It's Schlos . . . mark my words. Done deal.
@Bulldog posted:It's Schlos . . . mark my words. Done deal.
I certainly hope you are wrong about that
@Bulldog posted:It's Schlos . . . mark my words. Done deal.
Not saying you aren't right, but what are you basing that on?
I realize denials have come in before, but...https://amp.star-telegram.com/...tter_impression=true
Tadlock is signing an extension per Kendall Rogers. That's two off the board. I figure this A&M opening will result in all of the top coaches getting raises.
Tadlock leaving Tech for A&M never made much sense to me.
For us non Texans… is the A&M job that much of a bigger deal than TCU?
@JCG posted:For us non Texans… is the A&M job that much of a bigger deal than TCU?
SEC>Big12