The Mississippi Rebels are between a rock and a hard on

[Coach34]

Bunko doesnt want to retire

They fire him it looks a little bad firing your best coach ever plus the cost is very expensive being in the millions. He got fully extended after the CWS in 22.


Love it for them

[Todd4State]

They'll fire him if they have a guarantee from Godwin that he will leave ECU.

Or they'll just screw it up.

Both are possibilities.

[Brobi-wan]

Firing the best coach they’ve ever had after 20 years? I don’t see them being able to pull that trigger.

[Santiago]

I see Bianco doing the Wolf of Wall Street scene, "I'm not leaving'"

[Brobi-wan]

I’ll tell you this, I wouldn’t want to be the one to pull that trigger. That’s like firing Nick Saban if you’re Bama. His resume isn’t Saban-like but he is their GOAT

[StarkVegasSteve]

They're not going to fire him unless he forces their hand. My guess.....they'll offer him an Assc. AD role to pay out the rest of his contract and then they'll let him do fundraising or something

[Todd4State]

I’ll tell you this, I wouldn’t want to be the one to pull that trigger. That’s like firing Nick Saban if you’re Bama. His resume isn’t Saban-like but he is their GOAT

Also as I have said before it would be a terrible look and baseball coaches are different creatures. The only way they make this move and it works out for them is if they already have a deal in place with Godwin.

[viverlibre]

They're not going to fire him unless he forces their hand. My guess.....they'll offer him an Assc. AD role to pay out the rest of his contract and then they'll let him do fundraising or something

https://media3.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExMnlqbXI4MXJnZjk0MXVxcjNpNDBzYnB paThwcWRscmgzNWp0cjNjaSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfY nlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/ftdF4ZkueWGHBYc4b5/giphy.gif

[Santiago]

Also as I have said before it would be a terrible look and baseball coaches are different creatures. The only way they make this move and it works out for them is if they already have a deal in place with Godwin.

Is Godwin close enough friends with Bianco, that any back channels would only make it worse?

[viverlibre]

Duplicate post.

[Coach34]

He's going to force their hand. He wants one more shot to finish on a high note.

Their problem? It's going to cost them around 6-7MM to pull the trigger.

[Santiago]

He's going to force their hand. He wants one more shot to finish on a high note.

Their problem? It's going to cost them around 6-7MM to pull the trigger.

I would assume also, that Bianco will not get just a whole lot of help from boosters with Portal players.
All in on football.
I want to see Bianco stay, and other candidates see how Ole Miss will drop baseball NIL funding for football.

[BeardoMSU]

I'm not convinced Godwin leaves his alma mater for OM, nor am I convinced he actually makes them better...

[Todd4State]

Is Godwin close enough friends with Bianco, that any back channels would only make it worse?

No idea on their relationship. But if he had a rumored MOA of understanding with them in 2022 I'd guess it's not at the point where he would be upset taking it.


He's going to force their hand. He wants one more shot to finish on a high note.

Their problem? It's going to cost them around 6-7MM to pull the trigger.

I knew that extension would bite them in the ass.


I'm not convinced Godwin leaves his alma mater for OM, nor am I convinced he actually makes them better...

Maybe on the first sentences

I think you're right with the second sentence. People forget that they hired Bianco a year before we hired Polk 2. Some of his success was because of good timing that isn't in place for their potential new coach.

[Santiago]

No idea on their relationship. But if he had a rumored MOA of understanding with them in 2022 I'd guess it's not at the point where he would be upset taking it.



I knew that extension would bite them in the ass.



Maybe on the first sentences

I think you're right with the second sentence. People forget that they hired Bianco a year before we hired Polk 2. Some of his success was because of good timing that isn't in place for their potential new coach.


It is one thing to have an MOA when Bianco is trying to leave for LSU, but another when Bianco is getting fired 2 seasons after a NC.

[Coach34]

No doubt. Mississippi is hating themselves right now. They want to fire him but they also know they dont have the 7MM right now to do it. To get it- they gonna have cut some corners somewhere.

I'm curious to see how it plays out. My guess is they dont get the guy from EC and Bunko gets 1 more season.

[Jarius]

They owe him a bunch of money. He?s not going to retire unless they tell him they will pay him the full buyout.

[Todd4State]

It is one thing to have an MOA when Bianco is trying to leave for LSU, but another when Bianco is getting fired 2 seasons after a NC.

That is a good point.

[Todd4State]

They owe him a bunch of money. He?s not going to retire unless they tell him they will pay him the full buyout.

This is another good point. The money could be what keeps them from getting Godwin. He is the one coach in America that is putting his name out there every cycle looking to get more money.

He won't go to Ole Miss if they don't pay him. Regardless of his relationship with Bianco or whether ECU is his alma mater.

Yeah. This is sounding messy.

[HoopsDawg]

This is another good point. The money could be what keeps them from getting Godwin. He is the one coach in America that is putting his name out there every cycle looking to get more money.

He won't go to Ole Miss if they don't pay him. Regardless of his relationship with Bianco or whether ECU is his alma mater.

Yeah. This is sounding messy.

Ole Miss fans seem to think they can get Erik Bakich but I don't see it.

Maybe Dan Heefner too.

Then you have the Wake pitching coach.

[KOdawg1]

You don't see baseball coaches move around a lot, even if it's a slight step up program wise.

I mean we went to Omaha in 2018, and the best we could do was Indiana's coach who had never made it out of a regional.

Ole Miss is a good job, but they're coming off two bad years and the shelf is pretty bare. I don't see them pulling a Bakich or any other top coach. I could see them getting Godwin, but even he isn't a given

[BeardoMSU]

2 years ago McDonnell was their "wet dream" hire, but he's failed just as bad a Mike in the NIL era

[HoopsDawg]

I've also heard Bakich is waiting on Corbin to retire to take the Vandy job.

[ScottH]

Is Godwin close enough friends with Bianco, that any back channels would only make it worse?

Bianco and Godwin are certainly friendly but not overly close.

Lafferty is a different issue. He and Godwin are BFF's.

Lafferty has been at UM 18 years and familiarity can breed contempt.

Is UM ok with Lafferty staying on Godwin's staff? That will be an interesting plot twist.

Additionally, Godwin loved his time in Oxford. Supposedly still comes back to visit. May still have a place there.

[Todd4State]

Ole Miss fans seem to think they can get Erik Bakich but I don't see it.

Maybe Dan Heefner too.

Then you have the Wake pitching coach.

I don't see them pulling the head coach of Clemson.

I know they won't get Heefner.

Muscara? That's an option.

[Reunion Dog]

Needs 25 years to get full State retirement.

[Coach34]

You don't see baseball coaches move around a lot, even if it's a slight step up program wise.

I mean we went to Omaha in 2018, and the best we could do was Indiana's coach who had never made it out of a regional.

Ole Miss is a good job, but they're coming off two bad years and the shelf is pretty bare. I don't see them pulling a Bakich or any other top coach. I could see them getting Godwin, but even he isn't a given

It’s gonna cost $5MM to just fire the staff. Then they gotta pump money into the new staff. They aren’t happy right now

[ZedFedder]

Needs 25 years to get full State retirement.

Which is why they?ll set up a cush job for him if they do let him go.

[viverlibre]

Which is why they?ll set up a cush job for him if they do let him go.

Not uncommon in these situations. I wouldn't be surprised if Polk is still on the payroll in some capacity.

[Saltydog]

Polk would be crazy to still be on the payroll. With PERS you get to the point where you're working for peanuts.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Ole Miss fans seem to think they can get Erik Bakich but I don't see it.

Maybe Dan Heefner too.

Then you have the Wake pitching coach.

I doubt Bakich would leave. No shot at Heefner. They probably could get Muscara, but it wouldn't be cheap AT ALL

[viverlibre]

Polk would be crazy to still be on the payroll. With PERS you get to the point where you're working for peanuts.

There's ways to get PERS AND still be on the payroll in a limited capacity. I know several folks who are currently getting a full PERS pension and working part time for the same agency.

[Johnson85]

I think another thing that may make it slightly harder for them is the drop off MSU and to a lesser extent LSU had after their national championships and the fact that we're bouncing back this year. Not sure it moves the needle, but if I were a booster and you were asking me to contribute to $5M to pull the trigger on firing a coach in a sport that's not profitable, I'd be looking at MSU's trajectory and asking if that's a reasonable expectation for us and if it's worth paying $5M just for the privilege to spend some more money to gamble on getting a better coach than the best coach OM has ever had.

[Goldendawg]

Needs 25 years to get full State retirement.

$ is $, but with all the multi-millions he's made doubt he's worried about state retirement. Probably wants to go out on a winning note and doubt they make the NCAA tourney, unless they win SEC tourney or runner up gets them there instead of vandy or someone late.

[Goldendawg]

It’s gonna cost $5MM to just fire the staff. Then they gotta pump money into the new staff. They aren’t happy right now

Does Dickie like baseball. Pocket change from either the abestos or tobacco pocket. Google his net worth.

[Lumpy Chucklelips]

I think they've cooled on Godwin. Want to get away from Bianco's boys and have a completely fresh start. Not happening yet though.

[msumudcat]

It?s OM, they will borrow money if need be in order to stay up with us. They have proven across athletics programs that they will overpay in order to preserve status and image.

[Todd4State]

It?s OM, they will borrow money if need be in order to stay up with us. They have proven across athletics programs that they will overpay in order to preserve status and image.

This isn't football though. They've made some questionable basketball hires over the years and before Bianco made some questionable baseball hires too.

There aren't very many baseball coaches that get into a scandal that they can give a second chance to like Beard.

[Homedawg]

Needs 25 years to get full State retirement.

First, only about 1/20 of his salary goes to retirement eligibility. Second a lot of coaches opt out. He doesn't give two craps if he get to 25 financially. Lastly, if he has stuff tied up in pers he can still get a some at 60 just not 50%. So your point is basically moot. But anyway you don't send a post until 1/2 in the morning and usually incoherent, as half accurate you thought you were it was good for you pineapple

[Homedawg]

It’s gonna cost $5MM to just fire the staff. Then they gotta pump money into the new staff. They aren’t happy right now

Word is 7+

[Homedawg]

There's ways to get PERS AND still be on the payroll in a limited capacity. I know several folks who are currently getting a full PERS pension and working part time for the same agency.

Again pers is chicken feed for Bianco. Pers doesn't cover his entire salary. It covers his base. About 160k. The rest is not Pers eligible. It's a non factor

[Homedawg]

This isn't football though. They've made some questionable basketball hires over the years and before Bianco made some questionable baseball hires too.

There aren't very many baseball coaches that get into a scandal that they can give a second chance to like Beard.

There is the million $ question. How many guys do they have left that care? Idk. But they've ponied up for football and basketball. How much is left in the kitty??the next coach is going to have to have a nice nil pot

[Todd4State]

Word is 7+

7 million to get rid of the staff? YIKES!!!!

For them to get the kind of coach that they want it's going to be at least another 3-5 million I'd guess for the staff alone.

They're going to have to make a very difficult decision and when they crunch the numbers I wouldn't be surprised if they give him another year.

[Todd4State]

There is the million $ question. How many guys do they have left that care? Idk. But they've ponied up for football and basketball. How much is left in the kitty??the next coach is going to have to have a nice nil pot

You're absolutely correct about the NIL. Their talent level has dropped quite a bit since 2022.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Bianco seemed pretty defiant last night that he expected to be back next year. I feel like he's going to get one more year. They'll give him all the tools to make the tournament and ride off into the sunset.

[Commercecomet24]

They'll give Bianco another year. They're almost to the point they have to with the buyout situation and then having to spend a decent amount to get a good coach and staff. He'll get another year.

[Coach34]

Bunko declares he expects to be back next year. Gonna force their hand.

Like us- I don’t see them paying the huge buyout

[Mjoelner34]

7 million to get rid of the staff? YIKES!!!!


I think Dick Cross or Borkey stated it was close to 7.5 on the radio show a few weeks ago.

[Brobi-wan]

So do we extend Lemo for 4 years? I would draw him up for 2 and say you gotta show me next year and we will give you the 4.

[Coach34]

So do we extend Lemo for 4 years? I would draw him up for 2 and say you gotta show me next year and we will give you the 4.

You can go two ways I think:

A) Extend him for 2 years with full buyout.

B) Extend back to 4 for looks but with some type of lowered buyout.

However- he makes it to Omaha? He's got us and we gonna have to pay

[HoopsDawg]

You can go two ways I think:

A) Extend him for 2 years with full buyout.

B) Extend back to 4 for looks but with some type of lowered buyout.

However- he makes it to Omaha? He's got us and we gonna have to pay

Definitely B.

He wouldn't really have us if he makes it to Omaha. That's what gets ADs in trouble, competing against themselves. See OM and Keith Carter or A&M with Jimbo.

[Coach34]

Definitely B.

He wouldn't really have us if he makes it to Omaha. That's what gets ADs in trouble, competing against themselves. See OM and Keith Carter or A&M with Jimbo.

Disagree

He makes Omaha- he's not getting fired next year either

[Brobi-wan]

Disagree

He makes Omaha- he's not getting fired next year either

If he makes Omaha this year he would have to 0-46 to be fired next year.

[HoopsDawg]

Disagree

He makes Omaha- he's not getting fired next year either

No. I'm just saying no need to give him an outrageous contract if we make it to Omaha. He's not leaving us.

[CaptainObvious]

If he makes Omaha this year he would have to 0-46 to be fired next year.

So you are saying there's a chance!

[Coach34]

No. I'm just saying no need to give him an outrageous contract if we make it to Omaha. He's not leaving us.

oh well yeah- totally agree. Just saying Omaha gives him serious leverage. And honestly- I enjoy poking you guys with a stick on all this- but he makes Omaha with this team? He deserves it. We have talent but have some gaps. He will have to go thru an SEC team to get to Omaha and if we do it? Thats been a helluva season

[TNDawg35]

oh well yeah- totally agree. Just saying Omaha gives him serious leverage. And honestly- I enjoy poking you guys with a stick on all this- but he makes Omaha with this team? He deserves it. We have talent but have some gaps. He will have to go thru an SEC team to get to Omaha and if we do it? Thats been a helluva season

Im gonna be honest, I love Lemo, buyt Parker deserves the money this year. Now Lemo got the talent that Parker is working with, but Parker has done a tremendous job...

[Todd4State]

So do we extend Lemo for 4 years? I would draw him up for 2 and say you gotta show me next year and we will give you the 4.

We have to see how he does in the postseason. So TBD.

[Todd4State]

Im gonna be honest, I love Lemo, buyt Parker deserves the money this year. Now Lemo got the talent that Parker is working with, but Parker has done a tremendous job...

Regardless I want to see us hire a hitting analyst at the very least. I don't think we fire Gautreau but if Tulane comes calling I would wish him well.

[TNDawg35]

Regardless I want to see us hire a hitting analyst at the very least. I don't think we fire Gautreau but if Tulane comes calling I would wish him well.

Oh I would also. You would think someone would have already come calling. I guess he is waiting on a bigger job. Who knows…

[Santiago]

Im gonna be honest, I love Lemo, buyt Parker deserves the money this year. Now Lemo got the talent that Parker is working with, but Parker has done a tremendous job...

This.
We are sitting home this offseason without Parker.
If we make it to Omaha it will be due to pitching.

[Bdawg]

Oh I would also. You would think someone would have already come calling. I guess he is waiting on a bigger job. Who knows?

Just wonder who?s going to come calling after watching our 2 major leaguers walk back to the dugout a crap ton of times with a K in their pocket?

[Johnson85]

Im gonna be honest, I love Lemo, buyt Parker deserves the money this year. Now Lemo got the talent that Parker is working with, but Parker has done a tremendous job...

Parker has done a great job. What I don't think we know yet is how much of the improvement is due to Parker being phenomenal versus how much of it is just a combination of Parker being good and Foxhall not being there to screw up pitchers.

[HoopsDawg]

Parker has done a great job. What I don't think we know yet is how much of the improvement is due to Parker being phenomenal versus how much of it is just a combination of Parker being good and Foxhall not being there to screw up pitchers.

Plus pitchers just getting better by being older. Also, possible influence from outside coaches/summer ball.

[HoopsDawg]

Bianco confirmed back. Buyout drops 3.8 million after next season.