College Baseball has just crossed the Rubicon

[Coach34]

into being just like football and basketball now.

Schloss to Texas has done something that really has never really happened in college baseball before- a successful coach leaving a top notch program for another top notch program. A&M has one of the best ballparks in the country and has pledged $40MM more to try and surpass our stadium as the country's best. Schloss had a blank check and their returning team was likely going to be the nation's #1 for preseason 2025. And he left.

Now A&M has a job opening that most will want. With the money they will spend to match Texas- somebody with a name will move too- creating another opening. And so on. With 15 of the Top 35 jobs in the country now- it could make some SEC waves.

This doesnt happen 10 years ago. Money, Portal, NIL has turned the purest sport left of the main 3 in college into the slime of the other 2.

[Quaoarsking]

Maybe there can still be a chain reaction that leads to Lemonis getting poached. We can hope.

[Coach34]

Maybe there can still be a chain reaction that leads to Lemonis getting poached. We can hope.

That would pull our divided fanbase a little closer

As I have texted multiple friends today and I quote- "best case for us would be for Lemon to take another job and us hire a younger dude that doesnt **** football staffers"

[Santiago]

Ultimate BOSS move by TX, entering the SEC and taking the HC of their rival.

[ScoobaDawg]

It was a perfect storm of a situation.
Schloss gets to go back coaching with one of his best friends in cdc the AD..

And yep. The NIL is wide open for Texas. I mean look what am did. They will match it.

While it's gonna make the conference even harder... I'm just laughing at a&m. Couldn't happen to a better cult.

[StarkVegasSteve]

This was not a normal college baseball coaching situation. His best friend, who was his old AD offered him a raise and a chance to work together again. He was not turning it down. He and Del Conte had a hell of a run together at TCU.

[SPMT]

This was not a normal college baseball coaching situation. His best friend, who was his old AD offered him a raise and a chance to work together again. He was not turning it down. He and Del Conte had a hell of a run together at TCU.

I tend to agree. It?s strange, but it fits. It?s shitty.

Baseball won?t be as bad as football and basketball but it won?t be far off.

[Todd4State]

The MLB draft has always been kind of a cushion between college baseball, boosters, players, and coaches.

Most baseball players are looking to get rich off of MLB money after making it to MLB. Not NIL money.

The fact of the matter is we could pay a Paul Skenes type 1 million in NIL and MLB could always come in and give that player 2 million. College boosters are simply not going to make that kind of investment on a player that may not even show up to campus.

And I don't see that changing any time soon.

Most baseball players still use NIL to pay for college as it is even. That will likely change soon. Giving our NIL even more power.

[Todd4State]

That would pull our divided fanbase a little closer

As I have texted multiple friends today and I quote- "best case for us would be for Lemon to take another job and us hire a younger dude that doesnt **** football staffers"

I wouldn't be shocked if Gautreau leaves in this fallout. He is pretty close to Schlossnagle from their days at Tulane and there is a good chance that A&M's hitting coach Nolan Cain goes to South Carolina.

He has a lot of ties to Texas and I could see going to Texas or A&M being attractive to him even if it isn't for a HC job.

Ironically Lemonis's last three years were similar to Schlossnagle's his last three years at TCU before A&M hired him away.

Odds are neither Lemonis not Jake leave though.

[Coach34]

Announced that Schloss is bringing entire staff to Texas. Hahaaaaaaaaaaaa

[Bdawg]

The MLB draft has always been kind of a cushion between college baseball, boosters, players, and coaches.

Most baseball players are looking to get rich off of MLB money after making it to MLB. Not NIL money.

The fact of the matter is we could pay a Paul Skenes type 1 million in NIL and MLB could always come in and give that player 2 million. College boosters are simply not going to make that kind of investment on a player that may not even show up to campus.

And I don't see that changing any time soon.

Most baseball players still use NIL to pay for college as it is even. That will likely change soon. Giving our NIL even more power.

I don’t understand. No player is getting paid that doesn’t show up to campus. I’m sure an NIL agreement would just be in place if they do.

[the_real_MSU_is_us]

I agree with you C34, this feels like the end of an era. As schools invest more into baseball, coaches are faces with 1) boosters that expect a quick results on their investments, 2) more eyeballs on the program, and 3) larger pay differences (instead of the "top school" paying say, 300k more than the coach is currently making, they'll pay $1m more)

All of that incentivizes coaches to get their money before a down year or mediocre results gets them fired. And with success so dependent on having top players, and top players looking for the most NIL, I think we're seeing baseball quickly turn into what college football is. Coaches will go where the NIL is best because NIL is 50% of the puzzle and no other factor compared to it.

[sandjunky]

I agree with you C34, this feels like the end of an era. As schools invest more into baseball, coaches are faces with 1) boosters that expect a quick results on their investments, 2) more eyeballs on the program, and 3) larger pay differences (instead of the "top school" paying say, 300k more than the coach is currently making, they'll pay $1m more)

All of that incentivizes coaches to get their money before a down year or mediocre results gets them fired. And with success so dependent on having top players, and top players looking for the most NIL, I think we're seeing baseball quickly turn into what college football is. Coaches will go where the NIL is best because NIL is 50% of the puzzle and no other factor compared to it.

Go look at what Godwin said about the two pitchers used in the Monday they were eliminated and in the portal on Wednesday

He was like if he had known they were going in he would have used position players if he had to since they already had one foot out the door

[StarkVegasSteve]

Go look at what Godwin said about the two pitchers used in the Monday they were eliminated and in the portal on Wednesday

He was like if he had known they were going in he would have used position players if he had to since they already had one foot out the door

It's a crazy time we're now in with college sports. But until the reign it in, you have to adapt. It sucks and it takes away a lot of what makes college sports great with learning the players and their stories. But if you don't adapt to the new way, you will fall behind to the point where it could take years to catch up.

[Extendedcab]

I wouldn't mind if MSU dropped out of the current NCAA/Power-5/whetever - current structure and created a new structure where student athletes are provided scholarships only - return to amateur status.

I am sure other schools would follow. Let the ones that do not have their current screwed up environment that will ultimately collapse under its own weight or be supported by the NFL/NBA/MLB.

[99jc]

I wouldn't mind if MSU dropped out of the current NCAA/Power-5/whetever - current structure and created a new structure where student athletes are provided scholarships only - return to amateur status.

I am sure other schools would follow. Let the ones that do not have their current screwed up environment that will ultimately collapse under its own weight or be supported by the NFL/NBA/MLB.

ha! never gonna happen!

[Pancho]

way too much ca$h available for that

[EdwardDrayton]

It was a perfect storm of a situation.
Schloss gets to go back coaching with one of his best friends in cdc the AD..

And yep. The NIL is wide open for Texas. I mean look what am did. They will match it.

While it's gonna make the conference even harder... I'm just laughing at a&m. Couldn't happen to a better cult.

A&M gotta feel a little like Jeebs when K blows his head up. "Do you have any idea how much that stings!" LOL!!!

[Quaoarsking]

I wouldn't mind if MSU dropped out of the current NCAA/Power-5/whetever - current structure and created a new structure where student athletes are provided scholarships only - return to amateur status.

I am sure other schools would follow. Let the ones that do not have their current screwed up environment that will ultimately collapse under its own weight or be supported by the NFL/NBA/MLB.

What are you talking about? Literally 0 Power 5 schools would agree to join that.

[SPMT]

I wouldn't mind if MSU dropped out of the current NCAA/Power-5/whetever - current structure and created a new structure where student athletes are provided scholarships only - return to amateur status.

I am sure other schools would follow. Let the ones that do not have their current screwed up environment that will ultimately collapse under its own weight or be supported by the NFL/NBA/MLB.

I think that is a horrible idea, personally.

1. We don?t have that type of control. We are NOT market leaders in any way, shape or form.

2. Starkville we become Ackerman at that point.

THE only reason Starkville is an attractive place to visit and live is because of the University and as bad as the University doesn?t want to admit (and some people on here), the Yniveraity has property values and attractiveness due to athletics.

You can choose to ignore it and avoid reality, but that is the truth.

The only reason any of these southern small towns are what they are is because of the University and the associated sports programs.

Ex1. Tuscaloosa - Saban and Bear among others.

[CaptainObvious]

What are you talking about? Literally 0 Power 5 schools would agree to join that.

Oh it will eventually happen because there is no way this thing doesn't collapse in on itself. People are not going to have the cash to keep pace with pricing to pay for the behemoth college athletics has become. It WILL crash! Matter of when, not if.

[the_real_MSU_is_us]

Oh it will eventually happen because there is no way this thing doesn't collapse in on itself. People are not going to have the cash to keep pace with pricing to pay for the behemoth college athletics has become. It WILL crash! Matter of when, not if.

You're thinking in business terms, ie "you can't put more money in than you make forever". But NIL isn't a business- it's a hobby. The same way wealthy people spend 50k each to climb Mount Everest, they will spend money on NIL to see their school win games. The only "return" they expect from NIL is wins.

The ceiling of NIL is based on each school. How wealthy are the boosters, how much do they want to win, do they have faith their school can turn the money into wins? But there's no reason A&M can't drop $5m into baseball NIL so long as they have boosters that value winning in that sport more than they value their own bank accounts

[AROB44]

You're thinking in business terms, ie "you can't put more money in than you make forever". But NIL isn't a business- it's a hobby. The same way wealthy people spend 50k each to climb Mount Everest, they will spend money on NIL to see their school win games. The only "return" they expect from NIL is wins.

The ceiling of NIL is based on each school. How wealthy are the boosters, how much do they want to win, do they have faith their school can turn the money into wins? But there's no reason A&M can't drop $5m into baseball NIL so long as they have boosters that value winning in that sport more than they value their own bank accounts

These very reasons are why MSU will never be a consistent winner in any sport. Hopefully all of our graduates aren't as poor as some might think.

[BrunswickDawg]

These very reasons are why MSU will never be a consistent winner in any sport. Hopefully all of our graduates aren't as poor as some might think.

They aren't as poor as most think - but they dang sure know how to count their pennys and hold them tight

[Quaoarsking]

These very reasons are why MSU will never be a consistent winner in any sport. Hopefully all of our graduates aren't as poor as some might think.

We need to start a law school ASAP and look into starting a medical school at OCH in the medium term. Neither will be nationally elite programs but so what?

[AROB44]

We need to start a law school ASAP and look into starting a medical school at OCH in the medium term. Neither will be nationally elite programs but so what?

Quite a few lawyers and doctors are MSU alumni.

[Quaoarsking]

Quite a few lawyers and doctors are MSU alumni.

We need more. Starting a law school should be fairly simple (as far as adding graduate programs go), just hiring the professors. We won't be a top 100 law school most likely, but neither is Ole Miss (last I checked).

Starting a medical school would take a lot more effort, but ultimately if William Carey can have one, we should be able to get one together too.

[Todd4State]

We need more. Starting a law school should be fairly simple (as far as adding graduate programs go), just hiring the professors. We won't be a top 100 law school most likely, but neither is Ole Miss (last I checked).

Starting a medical school would take a lot more effort, but ultimately if William Carey can have one, we should be able to get one together too.

MSU would probably have to start one in Tupelo if I had to guess.

[Extendedcab]

These very reasons are why MSU will never be a consistent winner in any sport. Hopefully all of our graduates aren't as poor as some might think.

I don't think our graduates are poor as one might think. I think their priorities are different than the pro-NIL pro-pay-students folks on this board. Sports is way down on my list of items to throw my money at especially considering the current state of college athletics.

[Extendedcab]

I think that is a horrible idea, personally.

1. We don?t have that type of control. We are NOT market leaders in any way, shape or form.

2. Starkville we become Ackerman at that point.

THE only reason Starkville is an attractive place to visit and live is because of the University and as bad as the University doesn?t want to admit (and some people on here), the Yniveraity has property values and attractiveness due to athletics.

You can choose to ignore it and avoid reality, but that is the truth.

The only reason any of these southern small towns are what they are is because of the University and the associated sports programs.

Ex1. Tuscaloosa - Saban and Bear among others.

Your views dow not represent the views of the vast majority of students that do attend a university. The University is the reason they attend, meaning their major is well respected in the industry and the likelihood of them getting a job is enhanced or they have family history at a particular University. Sports was an afterthought, my major was first and foremost. I did not care that MSU was in the SEC, it did not matter to me and too a large extent is still doesn't matter today.

When I graduated high school (1976), I was accepted to MSU, LSU and Georgia Tech - in Electrical Engineering. My thought process was just the opposite of what you claim that a larger city with more night life is the way college students lean and that sports makes a University.

I Deliberately Chose MSU over LSU and Georgia Tech due to the small town atmosphere - less distractions for a young man that is a walking bag of hormones! Again, I did not care that MSU was in the SEC nor how good or bad their sports teams were. I went there because of the education I was receiving and nothing else!

That has paid off very well for me in the past 42+ years.

[BrunswickDawg]

Your views dow not represent the views of the vast majority of students that do attend a university. The University is the reason they attend, meaning their major is well respected in the industry and the likelihood of them getting a job is enhanced or they have family history at a particular University. Sports was an afterthought, my major was first and foremost. I did not care that MSU was in the SEC, it did not matter to me and too a large extent is still doesn't matter today.

When I graduated high school (1976), I was accepted to MSU, LSU and Georgia Tech - in Electrical Engineering. My thought process was just the opposite of what you claim that a larger city with more night life is the way college students lean and that sports makes a University.

I Deliberately Chose MSU over LSU and Georgia Tech due to the small town atmosphere - less distractions for a young man that is a walking bag of hormones! Again, I did not care that MSU was in the SEC nor how good or bad their sports teams were. I went there because of the education I was receiving and nothing else!

That has paid off very well for me in the past 42+ years.

I think you can't pigeon hole the motivation of 17 - 18 year olds. MSU was only on my radar because of baseball. I was signing up for the SAT and had 1 place left to send scores to on the registration sheet after UGA, Ga Southern and App State. The 1990 CWS was ongoing and I had just watched MSU beat GS and thought "I could watch good baseball there" and added MSU. I knew nothing else and didn't even tell my parents. A couple of months later I get a letter with a small scholarship offer and decided to go check it out. I toured UGA first and they barely gave me the time of day. Visiting MSU, they made me feel wanted and not like another number. I didn't know a damn thing about the academics or if it would get me where I needed to go or not - but it felt like home and I needed to be there. Best decision I ever made.

[Coach34]

Only reason I went to State is because I was a devoted fan of the Big 3 sports and didn?t want to spend the time walking on somewhere else after juco. Gave up baseball and became a student.

I absolutely hated the school and town. Considered leaving but met my future wife during Christmas break. She had moved there to finish her masters. Had I not met her- I?m likely a Delta State grad and would have attempted to walk-on there.

[Apoplectic]

good!!!! burn this 17r down and let?s go back to student athletes

[TALL DAWG]

Now C34, StarkVegas had the Fat Rabbit bar back then. What more did u need dude. 😂😂

[Coach34]

Now C34, StarkVegas had the Fat Rabbit bar back then. What more did u need dude. ����

The Landing was boring but I did have a lot of fun at Cheers.

[SPMT]

Only reason I went to State is because I was a devoted fan of the Big 3 sports and didn?t want to spend the time walking on somewhere else after juco. Gave up baseball and became a student.

I absolutely hated the school and town. Considered leaving but met my future wife during Christmas break. She had moved there to finish her masters. Had I not met her- I?m likely a Delta State grad and would have attempted to walk-on there.

Cleveland over Starkville?.to each his own

[Coach34]

Cleveland over Starkville?.to each his own

whats the difference? Small town vs small town.

I knew I could hit D2 pitching. I knew I couldnt hit consistently what Jay Powell was throwing that day in the pen (I hung out with the baseball guys while at State. BJ Wallace was a world champion level darts player)

[SPMT]

whats the difference? Small town vs small town.

I knew I could hit D2 pitching. I knew I couldnt hit consistently what Jay Powell was throwing that day in the pen.

Not hating and I hear you on Powell. Cleveland is pretty cool.

Actually met the delta state coach at a showcase today. Nice guy.

[Brobi-wan]

I don't think our graduates are poor as one might think. I think their priorities are different than the pro-NIL pro-pay-students folks on this board. Sports is way down on my list of items to throw my money at especially considering the current state of college athletics.

I’m trying to figure out how to buy a rental property and have a house at the same time before I’m 40. I could not give less of a darn about some kids NIL payout. I guess that proves I’m not rich enough to donate.

[MoreCowbell]

Only reason I went to State is because I was a devoted fan of the Big 3 sports and didn?t want to spend the time walking on somewhere else after juco. Gave up baseball and became a student.

I absolutely hated the school and town. Considered leaving but met my future wife during Christmas break. She had moved there to finish her masters. Had I not met her- I?m likely a Delta State grad and would have attempted to walk-on there.

Similar situation. Was a die hard Bulldogs sports fan growing up- Grandfather and Grandmother went to State. Wanted to go to State until I visited during high school. The scene just was not for me at all. Ended up going to Alabama. Remained a loyal bulldog through it all though.

[Pancho]

I’m trying to figure out how to buy a rental property and have a house at the same time before I’m 40. I could not give less of a darn about some kids NIL payout. I guess that proves I’m not rich enough to donate.

Amen to that brother. It is possible and I encourage you to to so. I paid everything we owed off by age 40 and now pash cash or transfer funds for all purchases. You won't regret it.

[TaleofTwoDogs]

I wouldn't mind if MSU dropped out of the current NCAA/Power-5/whetever - current structure and created a new structure where student athletes are provided scholarships only - return to amateur status.

I am sure other schools would follow. Let the ones that do not have their current screwed up environment that will ultimately collapse under its own weight or be supported by the NFL/NBA/MLB.

Unfortunately, NIL is the law of the land, not of the conference. Doesn't matter what level you play at it is still subject to NIL for players. Thank the Supreme Court.

[the_real_MSU_is_us]

Amen to that brother. It is possible and I encourage you to to so. I paid everything we owed off by age 40 and now pash cash or transfer funds for all purchases. You won't regret it.

See I'm a math man. I'd rather have 200k in mortgage debt at 4% and 200K in stocks earning 8% vs no debt and no stocks. The key is to only use debt on things that A) you can but at below inflation interest rate, and B0 things that don't depreciate. So debt to but a house? Yes. Debt to but a new truck? no

[Pancho]

cool, but pay the house off by age 40. Then invest more freely.

[StateDawg44]

cool, but pay the house off by age 40. Then invest more freely.

My wife and I just paid our house off at 37 and we closed on it right when Covid started and nothing given to us to help knock it out faster.

Very liberating feeling not owing anyone a dime and can just stack cash, invest, and buy land.