Who's Auburn's Coach?

I just read what is on the Internet and at this time the official word out of Auburn. . . . . the search will begin immediately for a new head coach.

As far as other coaches being in trouble ?? . . I think every coach in the SEC understand going in just how tough it is to succeed in what is commonly called the toughest conference in the nation. If a coach stumbles or the team struggles, there are many associated with the university that will demands an immediate change. Right or wrong?... I don't know, but that is the nature of the beast.
Fungo

No particular surprise -- boy is this a tough League. Lot's of Auburn Alumns were not big Renfroe fans -- but everybody has someone that doesn't like them. Look for former Assistant and current Florida Assisant Tom Slater to be among the candidates for what should be a plum job.

An interesting, yet not unsurpirising move. Does this show the level of commitment to baseball at Auburn versus that shown at other programs?

Stir, Stir, Stir...HSBBWEB..still trying to get Vols fans stirred up..I'm surprised at you..

I have it on the hush hush that AU Interim President Ed Richardson is planning a trip to knoxsville with the hope on making a quick coaching hire.

HV,

Richardson may be a smart man!!!! Wink, Wink, Wink, etc...

I wasn't impressed with Renfroe/staff scouting abilities. I know of several players from Ga who would have liked to have considered AU but hardly got any interest at all. I understand about trying to sign in state talent but these Ga. kids where in a class by themselves.

Any news out of Auburn? I did hear from someone that lives in Auburn that Corbins name has been mentioned. I guess that Bobby L. will make this hire.

I have been trying to stay informed but at this time there are nothing but rumors floating around. Yes, some of the rumors do carry Corbin’s name but these are just “fan based” rumors. From media interviews I have read, Hal Baird, former AU baseball coach, and present athletic director (almost), is doing the leg work and has indicated he’s in the research mode and will wait until the NCAA post season ends to make a decision or recommendation. I get the feeling some of the coaches making their run at Omaha are getting Auburn’s attention. I don’t know if Mr. Baird will make the call but I assume his input will weigh heavy in the final decision.
Mark Fuller, the pitching coach, left (or was asked to leave) the program prior to Coach Renfroe’s termination and now Dr. David Syzmanski, the strength and conditioning coach, has been released. Syz, as the players call him, was very popular with the team and his dismissal came as quite an emotional blow to some of the boys. This leaves Assistant Coach Chris Finwood at the helm of the baseball team.
I don’t sense any panic in the situation, but like everyone else, I’m waiting for some word out of Auburn.

Fungo

FUNGO

Any chance that Coach Finwood wouldl be named Head Coach ?

Chris has paid his dues as an Assistant for a number of years now--It might be time and would give continuity for the kids still there as wellas those coming in this fall

Wow,
I am just floored at what I am reading since my son was being heavily recruited by Auburn last year and we spoke to both coaches for a period of three months.
We met Tom Slater up at UF last fall, he is a peach of a guy, really, really nice but I just can't see him as Head Coach at this point in his career.
Fungo, keep us informed!

TRHit,
I would think the decision makers should at least consider coach Finwood. Coach Finwood does have head coaching experience with VMI and VCU prior to his coming to Auburn as an assistant. I personally think Coach Finwood should be seriously considered during the search for a new head coach. While I know very little about his coaching philosophy, I do know he’s a baseball man and very well liked by the players and fans.
The bottom line is . . . .I have NO idea what’s going to happen. As we all know the political big wheels of colligate baseball do not travel the same paths as the fans, players, and parents.
Fungo

Fungo,

Friends of mine that are "very close" to people in the athletic department say that the president and Baird will do the leg work but Bobby Lowder (spelling ?) will make the final decision. With the proper staff this could be the best job in the country.

Interesting article in the Montgomery Paper. Seems as if Auburn's AD is looking at a coach that is coaching in Omaha to add to the short list. Read the article and cross check the three major criteria with the list of coaches in the CWS. Hmmmm:
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/NEWS/StorySports15aubbase.htm

Vanderbilt head baseball coach Tim Corbin has been officially targeted by Auburn as one of the top candidates to take over the Tigers' baseball program. But he won't be pried away easily if Vanderbilt gets its way, according to Vanderbilt vice chancellor David Williams.

Williams confirmed Tuesday that Auburn asked for and received permission to speak with Corbin, who led the Commodores to their most successful season in school history this season with a 45-19 record.
Auburn is still developing its search to replace Steve Renfroe but hopes to identify a handful of top candidates by the end of the week. Corbin, 42, was among the first to be sought out.

"We did grant permission to them, but we certainly plan to do all we can to keep coach Corbin," Williams said.

Asked if he'd be willing to rework Corbin's contract in an effort to keep him, Williams said, "Absolutely."

Renfroe, who was fired last week, earned $125,000 annually.

Vanderbilt is not required by law to disclose the salaries of its employees because it is a private university. Williams declined to disclose Corbin's salary.

Auburn is seeking a candidate with head coaching experience, experience with the SEC and experience in Auburn's primary recruiting areas of Georgia, Alabama and Florida, according to Hal Baird, Auburn's athletics assistant to the president.

Former Alabama assistant Mitch Gaspard, now the head coach at Northwestern (La.) State, is among those who have expressed interest in the job.

Corbin did not immediately return a call from the Register seeking comment Tuesday. Last season was his second at Vanderbilt after serving nine seasons as an assistant at Clemson.

Fungo,
Why go for an up-and-comer when you can have a proven SEC coach closing in on 600 victories??? An author, and past national coach of the year.
1. He wants someone with head-coaching experience. (Check)
2. He wants someone with experience in the Southeastern Conference. (Check)

3. He wants someone who has recruited extensively in Alabama, Georgia And Florida. (One state out of 3 ain't bad)

Hmmm.
How many of those 600 wins came in the 2004 SEC tournament?? NEXT?

I have known Coach 'Froe for many years and I am bummed to hear of his firing.

As for his replacements, I don't see Slater getting the job nor Findog. The AU job is much bigger than a head coaching job at VMI. I think AU will want a proven product or a top longtime assistant.

Best of luck, 'Froe.

OK..If I didn't miss any, it's a 22-16 record in the SEC tournament.

But we would need an exemption in the contract is we miss the SEC tournament. That is an unfair requirement in this league as seen in some campus offices.

Any word lately on who Auburn is going to hire? My sources at Auburn feel that the job is Ray Tanner's if he wants it and money will be no object.

My guess is that Tommy Slater, currently assistant coach at Florida will be named the new Auburn head coach this coming week!!

However, I don't know much about this game or things surrounding it, so, don't take my opinion as "the gospel" !!!

Let's wait and see, but, Auburn will have a new head coach this coming week!

Check my June 8 Post -- First Class Quality guy-- Aurburn will be hitting a mega home run.

1. Corbin turns the job down!
2. O’Connor turns the job down!

But the "Deer Hunter" is still in the mix!

I just heard from member of the Auburn Board that a new coach has been hired. He could not remember the name and said that the new coach will be made public on Tuesday.

cbg,
Now that is selective memory by a board member if I ever heard it!

Tommy Slater !!!!!!

baseball1,
I also hear it's Slater!

THE TOMMY SLATER FILE
Birthdate: April 6, 1968
Hometown: Richmond, Va.
Education: Bachelor of Arts with major in History from Virginia
Military Institute in 1990
Overall Head Coaching Mark: 49-101 (three seasons)
Assistant Coaching Mark: 332-196 (10 seasons)

Playing Career:
Virginia Military Institute (1987-1990) – four year letterwinner
(third base) … Ended career ranked in top-five in RBI, total bases, run
scored and doubles … 1987 Southern Conference Tournament championship
game appearance … 1988 Southern Conference Northern Division champions …
Led team in 1988 with 41 RBI.

Coaching Career:
Assistant Coach, St. Christopher’s School, 1991
Assistant Coach, Marshall, 1992
Assistant Coach, VMI, 1993-1994
Assistant Coach, Auburn, 1995-2000
Head Coach, VMI, 2001-2003
Assistant Coach, Florida, 2003-2004
Head Coach, Auburn, 2004-

Coaching Highlights:
- 2003 Southern Conference Coach of the Year
- Led VMI to a school record 24 overall and 16 league wins in 2003
- Has coached 40 players who have been drafted
- Five NCAA Regional Appearances at Auburn
- 1997 College World Series appearance with Auburn
- Southern Conference Tournament runner-up finish at VMI in 1993


Record as a Head Coach

Year School Overall Record Southern
Conference
2001 VMI 15-32 8-19
2002 VMI 10-41 1-27
2003 VMI 24-28 16-14
TOTAL 49-101 (.327) 25-60 (.294)

HV,

If you knew this board member you would understand. He could care less about athletics much less baseball.