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.