Vitello

[BrunswickDawg]

UT re-ups Tony V.
5 years, $15million

And y'all wonder why we can't land $ portal guys.

[Todd4State]

The way I see it that's money they aren't able to spend on players.

[Cooterpoot]

Screw that! Damn club sport!

[Coach34]

The way I see it that's money they aren't able to spend on players.

They spend what they want. They are spending twice what we do in the portal.

Tenn/Vitello- "How much do we need to sign him????"

State/Lemon- "What can we afford to offer him???"

[Ranchdawg]

How much are we paying Lemonis? And this $$’s problem is not limited to just baseball. They have just screwed up college sports and have made for us have nots impossible to compete. They have forced me to not give a give a crap. I have given up my apartment, didn’t renew my season tickets, reduce what I give to the Bulldog club. If wasn’t for my granddaughter co-ed cheerleader I probably wouldn’t set foot in Starkville as much as love Starkville and MSU. I have for 50years+ driven/given.

And don’t give me that crap that I’m the problem. The problem lies with the NCAA and the power brokers of college sports. Until they straighten out this bull crap out I’m on the sideline. I doubt I will watch much on tv of any games. And god help us if we don’t make it into the group that breaks off and makes their own super league.

[Cooterpoot]

How much are we paying Lemonis? And this $$?s problem is not limited to just baseball. They have just screwed up college sports and have made for us have nots impossible to compete. They have forced me to not give a give a crap. I have given up my apartment, didn?t renew my season tickets, reduce what I give to the Bulldog club. If wasn?t for my granddaughter co-ed cheerleader I probably wouldn?t set foot in Starkville as much as love Starkville and MSU. I have for 50years+ driven/given.

And don?t give me that crap that I?m the problem. The problem lies with the NCAA and the power brokers of college sports. Until they straighten out this bull crap out I?m on the sideline. I doubt I will watch much on tv of any games. And god help us if we don?t make it into the group that breaks off and makes their own super league.

Boo 17ing hoo
Pearl Clutchers and Quitters- A State fan tradition like no other

[Ranchdawg]

You really going to call me a quitter? 50yrs+ of doing this! And I have watched some really bad administrations/coaching. Been there thru a lot of it.

Please explain to me how we are going to compete to win a championship. IMO if you are not competing for a championship rather just for some meaningless bowl game then why should I give my hard earned money to kids (NIL) that really don’t give a crap about our university and will transfer out at the moment they get a better offer from another school. Makes perfect sense! If you consider that a quitter then color me a quitter.

[DawgFromOxford]

$3 million a year May seem like a lot but it?s an investment. For what they are paying in Vitello think about what they get in return for folks coming to campus, buying merch, free branding on a national stage, associated prestige in athletics, etc. He will bring in players that will donate millions in the future based off their MLB contracts. In the grand scheme of things $3 million a year is a small price to pay for what he?ll do for the university.

[Pancho]

Mr White up at UT is making all the right moves in several sports. It is a shame that others don't attempt to duplicate it.

[Offshore Dawg]

The way I see it that's money they aren't able to spend on players.

Not quite correct Todd. The coach's contract is paid by the school. Players are bought by want-a-be hot shit boosters.

[Pinto]

We haven?t spent all the NIL money we have for baseball the last 3 years in a row. Money isn?t the problem. Leadership, desire, and a fire under someone?s butt is the problem.

[trob115]

This will be the only thing I say on this. Lemon is sucking at recruiting. He lacks energy, especially recruiting portal kids. Pair that with goat who also despises it, And you have our current situation. They like high school kids, but they haven't adapted to the portal.

We have a lot of money in nil and haven't come close to spending it. Arquett not coming here is due to the lack of excitement and intentionality by bucket. Lemonis needs to go yesterday. Parker is the only one on staff that has fire in belly with portal stuff.

[Coach34]

We haven?t spent all the NIL money we have for baseball the last 3 years in a row.

That's misleading. Getting outbid by 200-400K on certain portals that we arent willing to offer that price to means we are indeed getting outbid. We dont make offers portals cant refuse altho there are other portals that wont come regardless of money offered.

Having some money leftover is due to various reasons- not just that Lemon sux or we arent getting outbid. We certainly are. We had numerous portals say they loved their visit, the staff, and the facilities. Small town Mississippi is becoming a huge problem. Same for Mississippi Rebels also.

[Pinto]

Two players we lost this year- we were the top bid, top facilities, top program, liked the town, but were turned off by Lemon.

While we have been outbid on some, you repurpose that money and get next on board or go after someone you previously didn?t know about, etc.

As far as all the other stuff listed, a good coach trumps all that. Like I posted before at the last major baseball showcase in MS over 40 coaches and scouts were there including TV. Lemon was not there. That?s lazy. You have a major event in your state, you have to show up.

My best friend?s son is a top ten prospect. Kid holds several D1 offers. State is the last place his Dad wants him to go due to Lemonis. How do you turn a dad that?s an alum and has a friend group of alums that sour?

[DEDawg]

You really going to call me a quitter? 50yrs+ of doing this! And I have watched some really bad administrations/coaching. Been there thru a lot of it.

Please explain to me how we are going to compete to win a championship. IMO if you are not competing for a championship rather just for some meaningless bowl game then why should I give my hard earned money to kids (NIL) that really don’t give a crap about our university and will transfer out at the moment they get a better offer from another school. Makes perfect sense! If you consider that a quitter then color me a quitter.

You kind of proved his point. 50 years of doing it now youre out. Sounds like quitting

[Pancho]

Two players we lost this year- we were the top bid, top facilities, top program, liked the town, but were turned off by Lemon.

While we have been outbid on some, you repurpose that money and get next on board or go after someone you previously didn?t know about, etc.

As far as all the other stuff listed, a good coach trumps all that. Like I posted before at the last major baseball showcase in MS over 40 coaches and scouts were there including TV. Lemon was not there. That?s lazy. You have a major event in your state, you have to show up.

My best friend?s son is a top ten prospect. Kid holds several D1 offers. State is the last place his Dad wants him to go due to Lemonis. How do you turn a dad that?s an alum and has a friend group of alums that sour?

I've been told basically the same things as well. There is no way this is an isolated instance. Lemo is just Lemo and the vibe he gives off isn't full of vigor and intensity as many of his counterparts. Oh well, we gotta get ready for fall scrimmages and another baseball season. Go dogs

[Ranchdawg]

My best friend?s son is a top ten prospect. Kid holds several D1 offers. State is the last place his Dad wants him to go due to Lemonis. How do you turn a dad that?s an alum and has a friend group of alums that sour?

Wow I haven’t heard it was that bad but what do I know I am not connected. But no show for a showcase and an alum not wanting his son to play for his school because of the coach is VERY alarming.

Why is it that we can’t get our coaches to do their damn job! Are we just so complacent with keeping the status quo. Selmon needs start instilling some fear into some coaches.

[basedog]

One thing about baseball players, there are so many good players playing the sport that aren’t always rated high. Good coaches work at recruiting all year long. I’ve seen many kids from mid majors and below drafted in MLB. Recruiting is about building relationships to get kids interested, many pitchers take a few years to say everyday position players.

[Coach34]

Two players we lost this year- we were the top bid, top facilities, top program, liked the town, but were turned off by Lemon.

and that happens also

[Coach34]

delete

[Todd4State]

This will be the only thing I say on this. Lemon is sucking at recruiting. He lacks energy, especially recruiting portal kids. Pair that with goat who also despises it, And you have our current situation. They like high school kids, but they haven't adapted to the portal.

We have a lot of money in nil and haven't come close to spending it. Arquett not coming here is due to the lack of excitement and intentionality by bucket. Lemonis needs to go yesterday. Parker is the only one on staff that has fire in belly with portal stuff.

It's not like Parker has lit up the portal either. I think Lemonis needs someone on staff that understands the portal and how to recruit the portal better. I'm not saying that anyone needs to be fired- go hire an analyst that specializes in that.

[Todd4State]

Two players we lost this year- we were the top bid, top facilities, top program, liked the town, but were turned off by Lemon.

While we have been outbid on some, you repurpose that money and get next on board or go after someone you previously didn?t know about, etc.

As far as all the other stuff listed, a good coach trumps all that. Like I posted before at the last major baseball showcase in MS over 40 coaches and scouts were there including TV. Lemon was not there. That?s lazy. You have a major event in your state, you have to show up.

My best friend?s son is a top ten prospect. Kid holds several D1 offers. State is the last place his Dad wants him to go due to Lemonis. How do you turn a dad that?s an alum and has a friend group of alums that sour?

We haven't had a problem recruiting Mississippi high school players. The only recruiting issue I see is not getting top of the line portal prospects.

[SPMT]

Two players we lost this year- we were the top bid, top facilities, top program, liked the town, but were turned off by Lemon.

While we have been outbid on some, you repurpose that money and get next on board or go after someone you previously didn?t know about, etc.

As far as all the other stuff listed, a good coach trumps all that. Like I posted before at the last major baseball showcase in MS over 40 coaches and scouts were there including TV. Lemon was not there. That?s lazy. You have a major event in your state, you have to show up.

My best friend?s son is a top ten prospect. Kid holds several D1 offers. State is the last place his Dad wants him to go due to Lemonis. How do you turn a dad that?s an alum and has a friend group of alums that sour?

I?ve been told we don?t recruit showcase much if at all now and that we prefer recruiting other ways?.american legion, etc. Doubtful im the only one that?s been told this.

[Pancho]

What American Legion games has Lemo attended? I am really interested to hear

[Coach34]

He's going somewhere considering we had the 9th rated freshman class in the country for 2024

https://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/article/2024-01-19/ranking-top-25-freshman-classes-entering-2024-college-baseball-season

He must have made a couple of trips because we moved up to 8th in this 2025 class

https://www.perfectgame.org/rankings/Recruiting/Rankings.aspx

[BrunswickDawg]

What American Legion games has Lemo attended? I am really interested to hear

Last year everyone said all he did was go to showcases and didn't recruiting anything else.

[SPMT]

What American Legion games has Lemo attended? I am really interested to hear

I honestly have no idea.

[Pancho]

I honestly have no idea.

The answer is exactly none.

[SPMT]

The answer is exactly none.

Probably.

I was not told a reason why they wouldn?t want to recruit showcases. Showcases still seem to be popular, so there is still a large collection of good players at them.

[Homedawg]

I?ve been told we don?t recruit showcase much if at all now and that we prefer recruiting other ways?.american legion, etc. Doubtful im the only one that?s been told this.

Not sure where you got that.

[SPMT]

Not sure where you got that.

Second removed from the source.

Source could?ve misinterpreted but I doubt it. Less emphasis on showcase recruiting, more on other.

As long as we field a good team, I don?t care.

[Todd4State]

What American Legion games has Lemo attended? I am really interested to hear

I'm surprised Legion Ball is still a thing.

[SPMT]

I'm surprised Legion Ball is still a thing.

Some say it?s making a comeback.

[Todd4State]

Some say it?s making a comeback.

That's awesome! I thought travel ball killed it.

[HoopsDawg]

1. Lemonis doesn't recruit Legion ball, lol. Legion ball is good for players looking to get live ABs. Most are headed to Juco.

2. Lemonis didn't hit the road the last 2 summers on the travel circuit. Cheese did a little bit. Lemonis did go to summer college leagues like the cape for portal recruiting.

3. The 2024 HS class is not particularly strong. There are a few good players but the staff did not do well here. The portal should be able to cover it up.

4. The 2025 class looks to be very good. Lemonis relies on his staff, camps and the network of travel coaches to identify players and get them to campus. He's not as hands on as Tony V but few are.

[SPMT]

1. Lemonis doesn't recruit Legion ball, lol. Legion ball is good for players looking to get live ABs. Most are headed to Juco.

2. Lemonis didn't hit the road the last 2 summers on the travel circuit. Cheese did a little bit. Lemonis did go to summer college leagues like the cape for portal recruiting.

3. The 2024 HS class is not particularly strong. There are a few good players but the staff did not do well here. The portal should be able to cover it up.

4. The 2025 class looks to be very good. Lemonis relies on his staff, camps and the network of travel coaches to identify players and get them to campus. He's not as hands on as Tony V but few are.

Yeah, what I gathered in general was they weren?t recruiting high school as hard. Which makes sense to some degree.

[Todd4State]

1. Lemonis doesn't recruit Legion ball, lol. Legion ball is good for players looking to get live ABs. Most are headed to Juco.

2. Lemonis didn't hit the road the last 2 summers on the travel circuit. Cheese did a little bit. Lemonis did go to summer college leagues like the cape for portal recruiting.

3. The 2024 HS class is not particularly strong. There are a few good players but the staff did not do well here. The portal should be able to cover it up.

4. The 2025 class looks to be very good. Lemonis relies on his staff, camps and the network of travel coaches to identify players and get them to campus. He's not as hands on as Tony V but few are.

2024 in hindsight- and I was a little worried about this when we had PJ Morlando, Noah Franco, and etc. committed had too many draft risks in it. Even worse- we lost Cason and Nori. Nori being rated in the 50's and then getting taken in the first round was a bit of a surprise to me.

That said I think part of the issue was the lack of talent in Mississippi in that class. Whereas the 2025 class has some really good prospects and most are committed to MSU- Landon Harmon, the Parker brothers, Tanner Beliveau, and Mason Miller are all really good prospects from the state of Mississippi alone. I feel like we have a much better chance of getting in state players to school than we do guys from California, Texas, Florida, or Georgia.

[Todd4State]

Yeah, what I gathered in general was they weren?t recruiting high school as hard. Which makes sense to some degree.

There are definitely going to be smaller classes going forward. The portal and roster limits dictate it. You have to hit on the recruits you get or they are likely in the portal.

Also, the signing dates and restrictions on when guys can be offered changes things as well. In the past you could offer guys around the Fourth of July or so but now it's in September. Also, players can't be officially offered a scholarship until they are juniors in high school. I fully expect us to have some baseball commits in September and I think our fans will notice and that is the reason why.

[HoopsDawg]

There are definitely going to be smaller classes going forward. The portal and roster limits dictate it. You have to hit on the recruits you get or they are likely in the portal.

Also, the signing dates and restrictions on when guys can be offered changes things as well. In the past you could offer guys around the Fourth of July or so but now it's in September. Also, players can't be officially offered a scholarship until they are juniors in high school. I fully expect us to have some baseball commits in September and I think our fans will notice and that is the reason why.

Meanwhile, UT has 23 commitments in their 2025 class. Going to be a lot of "adjustments" to get their fall roster to 34. They just took a new commit yesterday. A pitcher MSU really wanted.