William & Mary

coach Farr is leaving W&M I believe it takes effect July 1. I don't know who's decision it was but I think he has a job in pro ball somewhere. Ryan Wheeler Farr's top assistant has already accepted a position with Penn St.

Coach Wheeler is going to University of Pennsylvania.

Coach Farr is leaving W&M and it will be officially announced on July 1. He has recieved both pro and college offers and last i heard was trying to decide if he wanted to remain in the college ranks. Coach Wheeler is the head assistant at the University of Pennsylvania.

Coach Farr may have tired of competing with CAA foes with limited resource and support from the W&M administration and AD. As an example, W&M's scholarship funding is approximately 1/2 of most conference opponents (for example, JMU fully funds the baseball program, W&M funds 5-6 scholarships). W&M is also probably the toughest school academically in the CAA, so recruiting out-of-state is more extensive, which spreads out the scholarship money even more.

Coach Farr should land a good pitching coach job somewhere. 1st, 3rd, and 4th round pitcher draft choices over the past several years. Former W&M pitcher Chris Ray was just recently called up to the Orioles.

jmuhoo,

having said all that, it may very well be the best thing for all involved to get fresh starts. William 7 Mary will no doubt benefit from a fresh approach and a new level of energy and enthusiasm that comes with a new coach.

The William & Mary job is one that a good coach who is excited about the plus' of the program can reach a new level. W&M has the finest facility not just in the conference but in the mid-atlantic. It has an education that is without question one of the best in the nation. William & Mary also has one of the best areas on the East Coast for quality of college experience. It also has developed a tradition (in part because of Coach Farr) of producing pro prospects. It is a frequent stop for many pro scouts.

All of these can be used by a coach is not seeing just the negatives but who sees the many reasons quality recruits should pick William & Mary.

quote:

Originally posted by VaDad:
All of these can be used by a coach is not seeing just the negatives but who sees the many reasons quality recruits should pick William & Mary.

Good point VaDad, As stated jmuhoo, I'm sure not being fully funded impacts his recruiting but so does the first class facilities and education.

Whatever the reasons for Coach Farr to depart W & M this is a huge loss to the Virginia baseball community. I have met probably every Head Coach in VA and Coach Farr is without a doubt one of the most respected coaches in the state. He will go out of his way to assist any player he can in anyway he can, not just his own and he always has encouraging words for players and prospects.

We wish both Coach Farr and Coach Wheeler the very best in their new careers.

VaDad

Very well said! I hadn't meant to only point out negatives. W&M does have a great facility and educational opportunities. A new staff certainly should bring added enthusiam, and maybe an improved relationship with the AD/admin.

William and Mary has denied releases to several players requesting waiver to the one-time transfer rule. Of course, the school is under no obligation to honor these requests, just seems lousy given the entire coaching staff change and still no new staff in place.

jmuhoo,

Doesn't seem right to gut the program and then hand it over to a new coach. Contractual problems caused the school to wait until July 1 to announce the resignation of Coach Farr. State policy for state schools requires at least a 2 week candidate search before filling the job. I am sure W&M is trying to fill the position as quickly as possible.

Not sure the 4-5 I'm aware of is gutting the program, but I guess there is a number where that becomes a concern. At least 2 or 3 are not returning regardless, they indicated as much, so why not release them? A couple of the others may come back, but does the new staff wonder if they really want to be there. Seems last year ODU acted more quickly, but I guess the details of each situation dictated as much. Of course, ODU released several players and it didn't gut their program. Finally, W&M has known about Coach Farr's impending resignation since at least the beginning of May. Maybe they had the candidates lined up, but maybe not.

Well they did have about 10 graduate from the program last year, and I know of at least 3 signees who are not going to be going there, so if they release 4-5 people, that is pretty much gutting the program because there's about 15 left, I mean that's 1/3 of the team right there.

The bottom line is W&M has had, for a school its size with its budget, a pretty amazing recent run of pro picks. Add graduation and maybe a little attrition and that leaves a lot of work to do.

Even if baseball is not a high priority there (and in many ways it's not), this is still a nice job for a coach and, potentially, an awfully good situation for a player.

That said, I wouldn't mind at all if Norfolk State beat them next season.

Is this situation going to scare away potential recruits? Or will it attract more recruits as being an opportunity?

We've been to the campus twice... once for an academic visit and another for their baseball camp.

It has to scare away at this point, until coaching staff is hired and the dust settles.

Depending how long untill they hire someone and who it is they will be starting from scratch in regards to a recruiting class this year. It may open up some doors for kids that may not have had a chance to be recruited without the changes

Anyone have any idea who has applied and WHEN will school officials announce the new Head Coach ?

Why the delay ?

Priorities, as evidenced by this whole thread.

William & Mary has received over 100 applications. They have narrowed the search down to a reasonable number and was to begin interviews in late July. State law requires W&M to hold the job search open for a minimum of 2 weeks after the resignation was offically tendered on July 1st. I am sure that as soon as the decision is reached it will be made public.

So, who's in the running for this job ?

Heard that it'll be a young coach because they will NOT be paying respectable money for this position.

Sportsfan,

Unless you are willing to name your source please refrain from spreading rumors that are of a negative type.

Sportsfan

I didn't want to let the cat out of the bag too soon, but the next coach will be a local man, with no previous college coaching experience, but a lot of baseball knowledge. They will announce me in due time.

To everyone else

Disregard what I wrote above. But since he wants to spread rumors, I gave him a good one. It's not true, but it's a rumor as soon as Sportsfan gets a hold of it.

The position is supposedly only paying in the upper 30's just below 40k.

That's why I took it.

Sorry you were not interviewed.

It's August 10th, any word on the announcement ?

I hear that the gentlemen from Brown and Boston College are in the running ?

It is supposedly said that the College maybe OK with finishing 3rd or 4th this year in baseball.

Where do you dig up this "stuff" ?

quote:

Originally posted by SportsFan:
It's August 10th, any word on the announcement ?

I hear that the gentlemen from Brown and Boston College are in the running ?

It is supposedly said that the College maybe OK with finishing 3rd or 4th this year.

I thought you said it was a local guy?!? Just covering your bases?

quote:

Originally posted by OldVaman:
Sportsfan

I didn't want to let the cat out of the bag too soon, but the next coach will be a local man, with no previous college coaching experience, but a lot of baseball knowledge. They will announce me in due time.

I dug nowhere, but was told that and I agree it's a lot of 2nd hand information being passed along, but it's my 2 cents worth.

Great---second hand info which may be all rumor--Sportsfan--you might do well to sit tight and see what the real story is

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
Great---second hand info which may be all rumor--Sportsfan--you might do well to sit tight and see what the real story is

What fun would that be! (just having some fun)
With no information coming from the school there's going to be rumors.

It seems that with other college openings there have been at least some stories written in local papers. Has there been any? Lastupdate on website is on July 1. No mention of coaching vacancies.

Even though rumors may be annoying to some, at least there is some interest by the public in what happens here.

Does anyone know what the players have been told?

How do you all know I'm not telling the truth? Just because I started this unsubstantiated rumor doesn't mean it couldn't, or didn't, happen.

I emailed Pete Clawson the W&M Sports Information Director and asked when an announcement would be made. His response was that the "process" was near completion and it would be soon. So..........????????????

Who transfered and to where? Is Chad Murray going to go back, that was a great sign, I am from Colorado and he was heavily recruited by some big name schools. Just Curious if anyone knew.

Shoeless

My pipeline says that it is all but done

announcment to come shortly

TR,

your pipeline is correct.

Forrest Cory has signed with the Diamondbacks after the end of Cape Cod Season.

Anyone know if Chris Rahl is returning?

quote:

Originally posted by Shoeless Joe:
Anyone know if Chris Rahl is returning?

Chris signed and is playing with the Yakima Bears in the Northwest League.

The longer the school officials wait, the much more it will hurt their recruiting. It's now August 14th. This selection must be going to blow the socks off of everyone since it's taking so long to select a new coach.