Thoughts on AD Hamilton...

Mike made a difficult decision. It was going to make enemies regardless of the direction. I think he served notice, though, that he will act when he thinks its appropriate.

He'll ultimately be judged by "those fannies in the seats."

HV and Biz,
What's the baseball attendance like this year?

I've only been able to get over to a couple of Saturday afternoon games in the late innings. Attendance has actually been better than I expected, considering the weather and competition. Attendance certainly doesn't seem to be any worse than last year. Last Saturday's game had the added benefit of folks being able to watch the first football practice in pads from the top of the 3rd base side.

I didn't look up any stats. Just my opinion.

Just like the basketball team, there are a lot of fickle fans. A spate of early SEC losses will put a damper on any growing enthusiasm.

While I agree with what Mike Hamilton did with
Coach Peterson, I do have a problem with some of the logic used.
1. We owe Jerry Green 200,000+ on his buyout clause
2. Buzz will get 1.3 million in 30 day's
3. The names that have surfaced as the possible replacement are not high profile coaches that fix the problems quickly

The basketball program has major problems but the university does not seem willing to spend 2 or 3 million to fix the problem. Now they will pay some coach around 1 million, Jerry Green 200,000 and pay Buzz 1.3 million in the same year. If they can pay this amount in 1 season why can't they give that same amount to a great basketball coach? The only answer is that they do not want the basketball coach to make more than their football coach.

Now for the real question: Will they ever fix the problems that they have with their baseball program? Like I have stated in another post, IMO Hamilton will not want to tackle another problem this year after he puts this basketball situation to bed. If Hamilton has the guts to make a change with "Ray Bans" I will know that he is one tough son of a gun that does not back away when faced with adversity.

I'm not at all opposed to paying a basketball coach "what he's worth".

However, considering the relative proportion of revenue generated by the football program at this university, I don't see how you can pay a basketball coach as much.

IMO the perception is worse than the reality re: the paying of 3 coaches at once. Green would be paid off already, but it's being deferred at his request. One could question whether Buzz should have ever had this kind of buyout available, based on his record, but that's history. I've heard there are donors out there who would be willing to step up if needed to assist with cash for buyouts, etc.

A winning basketball program, without a lot of off-the-court baggage will erase a lot of ill feelings.

As far as the baseball program is concerned, I'm for seeing how the season plays out. If players like Adkins and Arencebia continue to enjoy success, then you'd have to say that the coaching staff's recruiting decisions have been validated in this particular instance. I'm not naive to the fact that the SEC preseason has been very rigorous, except for opening weekend, so we'll need to see how the Vols measure up.

Not living in Knoxville anymore I don't get a good feel for what is going on within the university. Is any real pressure being placed on the baseball program to win on a consistent basis? Do the decision makers expect the baseball team to go to a region every season and the World Series every 3 or 4 years? Does the University of Tennessee baseball program have the facilities and players in the state of Tennessee to build a program like Texas or Florida State or would that be asking too much?

I think steps are in place to upgrade baseball facilities that have dropped toward the bottom of the league. MH has stated that he expects to contend for championships. His actions re: basketball demonstrate that he will hold coaches accountable. Rod just became the 6th SEC coach to win 600 games. I think that gives Rod a longer leash than someone who's been here for 3 or 4 years.

Using the basketball analogy though:

-The team needs to be competitive to the point that it is a contender in the SEC tournament.

-The team needs to qualify for the NCAAs more years than not.

-The team needs to beat Vanderbilt.

-The team needs to attract fan support.

As much as many of us would love to see the team stocked with local players, I believe that a competitive, winning program overshadows that.

JMHO

quote:

Originally posted by Bama Bomber:
HV and Biz,
What's the baseball attendance like this year?

Bama,
Reports from the son is that attendence has been better that he expected. I have yet to be able to go, but swtiched my off day to be able to see ETSU play the Vols. Now it looks like bad weather.

quote:

Originally posted by cbg:
Not living in Knoxville anymore I don't get a good feel for what is going on within the university. Is any real pressure being placed on the baseball program to win on a consistent basis?

The coach has been told what is expected on making the SEC tournament, Hosting a NCAA Regional and Making the NCAA tournament.

quote:

Do the decision makers expect the baseball team to go to a region every season and the World Series every 3 or 4 years?

A timetable is in place.

quote:

Does the University of Tennessee baseball program have the facilities and players in the state of Tennessee to build a program like Texas or Florida State or would that be asking too much?

The construction schedule is in place to upgrade the facilities and the AD is on top of things with the baseball program.