Realistic Candidates for HC

[HoopsDawg]

Well we have put out that we are looking to hire a current HC- so hiring an Asst would be a failure as far as our objective is concerned

Selmon said that?

[Dawgface]

Well we have put out that we are looking to hire a current HC- so hiring an Asst would be a failure as far as our objective is concerned

Say what?

[Medic601]

It seems like every time I read names and go do deep research on who I like, I get my hopes up and feelings hurt when we end up with some JV coach from the North Jackson Youth Baseball.

With that being said, why is everyone big on Pollard? His winning percentage at Duke is worse than Lemonis had here. Sure, Duke is a decent program but he hasn?t done THAT much to make him elite.

I think O?Conner would be a solid pick - at 53, we could get 10ish years out of him. O?Sullivan would be a disaster. He is a total troll. Wes Johnson already destroyed a few seasons for us, why would you want him back? Heefner and his convictions? this is us hiring him, not him hiring us. Play by what we want or don?t take our job.

And no, I?m not a big poster or baseball mind but just my opinion as a big fan.

[Todd4State]

It seems like every time I read names and go do deep research on who I like, I get my hopes up and feelings hurt when we end up with some JV coach from the North Jackson Youth Baseball.

With that being said, why is everyone big on Pollard? His winning percentage at Duke is worse than Lemonis had here. Sure, Duke is a decent program but he hasn?t done THAT much to make him elite.

I think O?Conner would be a solid pick - at 53, we could get 10ish years out of him. O?Sullivan would be a disaster. He is a total troll. Wes Johnson already destroyed a few seasons for us, why would you want him back? Heefner and his convictions? this is us hiring him, not him hiring us. Play by what we want or don?t take our job.

And no, I?m not a big poster or baseball mind but just my opinion as a big fan.

Duke hadn't been to the postseason since 1961 until he arrived. He is the one that has made them decent. It's a dead end program with zero resources and he made them respectable. Their stadium is like a nice high school stadium.

He also has a really good eye for talent and is great at development. I would consider him a home run if we hired him.

[Todd4State]

Getting back onto topic a bit here, it seems like people are firmly entrenched in two caps at the moment.

1. If we do not get Brian O’Conner then the search is a failure and we are going to suck.

2. If we do not get Dan Heefner then the search is a failure and we do not want to win.


I would say it is better than 50/50 we do not get either. It is like 95/5 we do not get Heefner. He is just not going to budge on stuff, and that should be applauded that he has convictions that strong. Unfortunately, just like A&M and a few other jobs, his convictions will cost him this job. On O’Conner, he still has to be interested in OUR JOB. He may interested in getting out but is he interested in walking into the pressure cooker that is Mississippi State baseball. There are only about 3-5 other jobs in the country with as much pressure as ours.
There are about 5-6 guys I would be very interested excited to get. If it's not one of them I would still give the guy a chance.

[Santiago]

It seems like every time I read names and go do deep research on who I like, I get my hopes up and feelings hurt when we end up with some JV coach from the North Jackson Youth Baseball.

With that being said, why is everyone big on Pollard? His winning percentage at Duke is worse than Lemonis had here. Sure, Duke is a decent program but he hasn?t done THAT much to make him elite.

I think O?Conner would be a solid pick - at 53, we could get 10ish years out of him. O?Sullivan would be a disaster. He is a total troll. Wes Johnson already destroyed a few seasons for us, why would you want him back? Heefner and his convictions? this is us hiring him, not him hiring us. Play by what we want or don?t take our job.

And no, I?m not a big poster or baseball mind but just my opinion as a big fan.

Great post.

[Coach34]

Selmon said that?

not publicly but multiple baseball reporters have said they were told that

[Mjoelner34]

0% chance Heefner would come here so I'll start my list with a 1% chance guy and go from there.
1. Jarrett
2. O'Connor
3. Bakich
4. Elander

[StarkVegasSteve]

0% chance Heefner would come here so I'll start my list with a 1% chance guy and go from there.
1. Jarrett
2. O'Connor
3. Bakich
4. Elander

You can move Jarrett into the 0% category as well. 1A or 1B for me would be BOC and Bakich. Either one is an absolute grand slam hire.

[PGHBulldogBG]

I would be shocked if Heefner comes here. I believe we have the same chance if not better of getting Vitello (although I think that chance is 1% Heefner and 2% Vitello). Heefner has been there for almost 20 years and has never moved while consistently winning. I think the religion factor is keeping him in place. Jarrett would be my #1 choice, but why would he leave a storied baseball program that is his alma mater? O'Connor would be a bit more realistic but still a stretch as he has been comfy at UVA. I think we get Elander or Coggin if we go assistant route. Head coaching route probably Mingione or Pollard or Sabins.

[Mjoelner34]

You can move Jarrett into the 0% category as well. 1A or 1B for me would be BOC and Bakich. Either one is an absolute grand slam hire.

Probably so but you at least kick the tires whereas you don't even pick up the phone on Heefner.

[DawgFromOxford]

It seems like every time I read names and go do deep research on who I like, I get my hopes up and feelings hurt when we end up with some JV coach from the North Jackson Youth Baseball.

With that being said, why is everyone big on Pollard? His winning percentage at Duke is worse than Lemonis had here. Sure, Duke is a decent program but he hasn?t done THAT much to make him elite.

I think O?Conner would be a solid pick - at 53, we could get 10ish years out of him. O?Sullivan would be a disaster. He is a total troll. Wes Johnson already destroyed a few seasons for us, why would you want him back? Heefner and his convictions? this is us hiring him, not him hiring us. Play by what we want or don?t take our job.

And no, I?m not a big poster or baseball mind but just my opinion as a big fan.

I mean you can make a case for why all of those guys would be successful here. You can also make a case for why all of those guys would be risky hires. Sounds like you aren?t going to be happy regardless of who we hire

[Coach34]

I would be shocked if Heefner comes here. I believe we have the same chance if not better of getting Vitello (although I think that chance is 1% Heefner and 2% Vitello). Heefner has been there for almost 20 years and has never moved while consistently winning. I think the religion factor is keeping him in place. Jarrett would be my #1 choice, but why would he leave a storied baseball program that is his alma mater? O'Connor would be a bit more realistic but still a stretch as he has been comfy at UVA. I think we get Elander or Coggin if we go assistant route. Head coaching route probably Mingione or Pollard or Sabins.

Vitello is 0%. He is the highest paid HC in the country. We cant afford Vitello. It would take 4-4.5MM per year to hire him if he would even agree. Thats not happening.
Heefner- the hardcore Baptist- is going to leave to go coach at a place famous for its drinking and cooking during ballgames?? Good luck on that one as well.

Now a couple of good coaches at places that arent willing to spend much money in this NIL Era- yes. That could happen and benefit us. That's our best chance at landing a big fish. If we cant get lucky there- then it's either lower P4/G5/Top Asst

[sandjunky]

In regards to Heefner I don?t think religion or drinking would be deciding factors - data points sure

His boys being able to play for him (he still had a 2025 and 2027 on the way)

At DBU, they will play a role and have a roster spot.

Any other place, that may not be able to be the case

[Santiago]

Coggin is from Booneville......isn't Keenum from the same area?
I only say it in fun, but what is in the water up there.

[KB21]

One thing that concerns me about Pollard. He's never coached anywhere outside the State of North Carolina. He was an assistant at Davidson for 2 seasons before becoming the head coach at D2 Pfeiffer. He went from Pfeiffer to App State to Duke. All in North Carolina.

[KB21]

Coggin is from Booneville......isn't Keenum from the same area?
I only say it in fun, but what is in the water up there.

His dad was the coach at Booneville high school back when I played high school ball.

[Cooterpoot]

The Bakich buyout is going to be a problem so I'll be surprised there. We're going to find out what kind of money/swing baseball boosters carry though.

[The Federalist Engineer]

0% chance Heefner would come here so I'll start my list with a 1% chance guy and go from there.
1. Jarrett
2. O'Connor
3. Bakich
4. Elander

Just my Opinion:

1. Jarrett - Not possible, unless he is a Florida State graduate and former player that is also a secret MSU fan.
2. O'Connor - He is my #1
3. Bakich - Not possible, has a similar job and pay, unless he just wants to move
4. Elander - Getting a Hitting Coach that works for Hitting Coach, a Recruiting Coordinator that works for a Recruiting Coordinator, nah

Erik Bakich, Clemson's baseball coach, earns $1.275 million in the 2024-25 season. His new contract extends through 2030 and includes a final-year salary of $1.525 million. His salary will increase by $50,000 each season, as detailed in his six-year, $8.4 million deal.

Link Jarrett would make $6.5 million over the seven-year contract agreement or an average of around $929,000 per season. $1,575,000 the final season of the new deal. - He is set to make an average of $1.275 million dollars per season over the life of the contract and a total value of $8.925 million dollars. He could use a good season and Kendall Rodgers to get himself a raise.

Just a question, Josh Elander makes $194K for Vitello. Why not offer him $380K to be Justin Parker's hitting coach and recruiting coordinator? Even $425K. Would he not be interested? Then Elander is still doing the job he does in Tennessee.

[CaptainObvious]

Vitello is 0%. He is the highest paid HC in the country. We cant afford Vitello. It would take 4-4.5MM per year to hire him if he would even agree. Thats not happening.
Heefner- the hardcore Baptist- is going to leave to go coach at a place famous for its drinking and cooking during ballgames?? Good luck on that one as well.

Now a couple of good coaches at places that arent willing to spend much money in this NIL Era- yes. That could happen and benefit us. That's our best chance at landing a big fish. If we cant get lucky there- then it's either lower P4/G5/Top Asst

I think y'all are missing on what a true Christian Baptist's calling is. Doctors don't treat the well. They treat the sick. Not only would the Lounge at Dudy Noble Field be a great Mission Field for Heefner, many of those drinkers and cookers are probably devout Baptists anyway. And the rest are either Methodist, Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Pentecostal, Hindu, Buddhist, 7th Day Adventist, and any number of other denominations that would be ripe for conversion to the True Denomination which is Southern Baptist!😎😎😎😎

[Thick]

Spoke to a player?s dad today. He said the players are relieved, relaxed, and somewhat excited about playing the remainder of the season with no Lemonis. He didn?t have time to give me the deep dive, all he said was ?it was bad?.

[KB21]

https://x.com/CaptGIlliam/status/1917998450030809516

Former Kentucky player on Will Coggin.

[Commercecomet24]

Spoke to a player?s dad today. He said the players are relieved, relaxed, and somewhat excited about playing the remainder of the season with no Lemonis. He didn?t have time to give me the deep dive, all he said was ?it was bad?.

I've heard a few inklings of that, and it's why i posited in another thread that i thought the team might catch fire now. We'll see.

[sandjunky]

Spoke to a player?s dad today. He said the players are relieved, relaxed, and somewhat excited about playing the remainder of the season with no Lemonis. He didn?t have time to give me the deep dive, all he said was ?it was bad?.

Highfill dad had some X comments that have since been deleted

[Todd4State]

Highfill dad had some X comments that have since been deleted

If it's the ones about the team playing more relaxed I didn't think they were that bad.

[Thick]

https://x.com/CaptGIlliam/status/1917998450030809516

Former Kentucky player on Will Coggin.

You read that thread, and it?s hard to not get excited. Here?s my opinion on the new coach?we need stability within the program from the top with a coach that has a fire in their belly not just to compete at a high level, but to win at a high level. Our next HC needs to be someone who recruits at a high level (duh), but WANTS to be at MSU! I know we want a sitting HC, and I get it. We?ve gone after those guys, but wives have been an issue. Coggins is single right? I?m kind of leaning to this guy, bc he?s a hard ass and highly passionate about the game and about MSU! We need a guy that can put us into a position where we are in the top tier SEC year in and year out which means we will always be in the CWS conversation! The big question is can he put together a great staff. Start flaming!

[cheewgumm]

You read that thread, and it?s hard to not get excited. Here?s my opinion on the new coach?we need stability within the program from the top with a coach that has a fire in their belly not just to compete at a high level, but to win at a high level. Our next HC needs to be someone who recruits at a high level (duh), but WANTS to be at MSU! I know we want a sitting HC, and I get it. We?ve gone after those guys, but wives have been an issue. Coggins is single right? I?m kind of leaning to this guy, bc he?s a hard ass and highly passionate about the game and about MSU! We need a guy that can put us into a position where we are in the top tier SEC year in and year out which means we will always be in the CWS conversation! The big question is can he put together a great staff. Start flaming!

+1

I?m with you

I?m

1) O?Conner
2) Coggins

In fairness I don?t know a lot about the coaches. This is off what I read here and other places.

I would think the #1 thing needs is talent evaluator.

Everyone says Coggin is elite at that.

[Brobi-wan]

I would be on board with Coggins or O’Conner. I would be interested in the Troy coach too. I’m not sure about anything else beyond that.

[bulldogcountry1]

?but, but he was a prick to some fans 8 years ago and he defended his players in Starkville last year when Johnny Long lost his mind.**

[DownwardDawg]

I think y'all are missing on what a true Christian Baptist's calling is. Doctors don't treat the well. They treat the sick. Not only would the Lounge at Dudy Noble Field be a great Mission Field for Heefner, many of those drinkers and cookers are probably devout Baptists anyway. And the rest are either Methodist, Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Pentecostal, Hindu, Buddhist, 7th Day Adventist, and any number of other denominations that would be ripe for conversion to the True Denomination which is Southern Baptist!��������

I mean, this is true.

[StarkVegasSteve]

From what I was told today, and Steve basically confirmed, Erik Bakich is VERY MUCH a candidate

[cheewgumm]

From what I was told today, and Steve basically confirmed, Erik Bakich is VERY MUCH a candidate

1) O?Conner / Backich
2). Coggins

LFG

[Activated Alpha]

From what I was told today, and Steve basically confirmed, Erik Bakich is VERY MUCH a candidate

Very much a candidate in what aspect? Like that he also has interests or that our moneymen have enough coin to pay his buyout and salary and would reach out?

[StarkVegasSteve]

Very much a candidate in what aspect? Like that he also has interests or that our moneymen have enough coin to pay his buyout and salary and would reach out?

Money is there. Very much there.

[BigDawg81]

Same question about returned interest

[StarkVegasSteve]

Same question about returned interest

There is very much returned interest. He is a guy who wants the biggest jobs and he views ours as a Top 5 job.

[Activated Alpha]

There is very much returned interest. He is a guy who wants the biggest jobs and he views ours as a Top 5 job.

Whoa, hold up a minute. You're telling me that a national known HC at a P4 program, who won a national championship, views our job as Top 5? Surely you are mistaken. I have been told by C34 himself that we are not a top 5 job. /s

Gotta bust C34's balls when ye get the chance

[Coursesuper]

From what I was told today, and Steve basically confirmed, Erik Bakich is VERY MUCH a candidate

Why do yall continue to take what that guy says as gospel? He is only capable of gathering info that is third hand at best. This needs to play out a long time, there is a long road ahead here.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Why do yall continue to take what that guy says as gospel? He is only capable of gathering info that is third hand at best. This needs to play out a long time, there is a long road ahead here.

I got the info from someone not Steve. He just confirmed it so I know if he had it then it is damn solid because it is not just rumor.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Whoa, hold up a minute. You're telling me that a national known HC at a P4 program, who won a national championship, views our job as Top 5? Surely you are mistaken. I have been told by C34 himself that we are not a top 5 job. /s

Gotta bust C34's balls when ye get the chance

Richard Adkerson puts his nuts on the table with this one. He is cutting a LARGE check.

[Activated Alpha]

Richard Adkerson puts his nuts on the table with this one. He is cutting a LARGE check.

Well I would love to see it. I'll continue to hold onto my doubts, but course is right. It's still a long road ahead of us

[Pancho]

so it begins

[StarkVegasSteve]

Well I would love to see it. I'll continue to hold onto my doubts, but course is right. It's still a long road ahead of us

Oh nowhere in there am I saying it is a done deal. We still have work to do.

[Saltydog]

Oh, there's been plenty of chances this season alone but he's a master of diversion and changing the narrative........

[Pancho]

bakich is from the Leggett tree. not sure he is our guy. be like hiring raffo since he played for polk

[Coach34]

Richard Adkerson puts his nuts on the table with this one. He is cutting a LARGE check.

and he may have- but a pro approach is being fostered now. We are about to go thru a big change in baseball if these guys get their way.

As I was told- "Will Clark being there a few times had a purpose"

[Thick]

From what I was told today, and Steve basically confirmed, Erik Bakich is VERY MUCH a candidate

His wife?s name is Jiffy! She will be a good fit in Starkville with that handle😂😂

[Todd4State]

From what I was told today, and Steve basically confirmed, Erik Bakich is VERY MUCH a candidate

There is definitely a crack in the door. It was literally last week he was complaining about attendance at Clemson. And they have been drawing about 5K for reference.

And then the Savannah Bananas who he kind of admires- who doesn't that isn't an old baseball codger?- played a game at Death Valley a few days ago. I guarantee that he noticed. In the mean time the Party Animals are playing at Dudy Noble...

He has been doing some Bananas type stuff at Clemson because I know what I'm talking about is a little confusing.

[Todd4State]

bakich is from the Leggett tree. not sure he is our guy. be like hiring raffo since he played for polk

If we have a chance to hire Bakich you absolutely 110% do it unless someone like Vitello is an option.

He's not really on the Leggett tree. He's on the Corbin tree from when he was at Vanderbilt.

Bakich has some deep connections with Team USA baseball and he not only took MICHIGAN to Omaha- he took them to the finals.

[Todd4State]

1) O?Conner / Backich
2). Coggins

LFG

I think what you just typed is our ceiling and our floor in this search.

I don't think we can rule out some other coaches like Pollard at Duke, Vaughn at Bama, Sabins at WVU, Saarloos at TCU, and Wasikowski at Oregon.

I think if things get sideways then maybe we go after Coggin and go that route. The reality is there is a very good chance he is going to be our baseball coach at some point anyway whether it's this cycle or not. Would love to bring him back as a hitting coach if possible with an assistant HC title or if that doesn't work would love to see him take a job as a head coach and learn before we give him a chance so that he will be ready- similar to Cohen at Kentucky.

[KB21]

Is the ACC coach Erik Bakich, or is it Link Jarrett? I haven't heard an update from Kendall Rogers on this yet.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Is the ACC coach Erik Bakich, or is it Link Jarrett? I haven't heard an update from Kendall Rogers on this yet.

And you won't. Kendall is friends with all these guys so he's not going to cloud their season. It's Bakich though. FSU has given Link everything he asked for

[KB21]

And you won't. Kendall is friends with all these guys so he's not going to cloud their season. It's Bakich though. FSU has given Link everything he asked for

I know that the Next Level Baseball guy had messaged me this time last year that he felt like MSU could get Link. I disagreed with him, but his comment to me was that FSU was promising things they wouldn't deliver on.

[StarkVegasSteve]

I know that the Next Level Baseball guy had messaged me this time last year that he felt like MSU could get Link. I disagreed with him, but his comment to me was that FSU was promising things they wouldn't deliver on.

And then basketball and football went in the can so they're a little more amiable to give Link some more of what we want. If Link Jarrett was remotely available then you could trash all the other candidates. He'd blow every one of them out of the water. But Link will put up with a lot because FSU is his alma mater.

[civildawg]

Bakich would be the Nick saban equivalent of baseball hires. If we were to pull that miracle off with that buyout, means some booster stepped up

[StarkVegasSteve]

Bakich would be the Nick saban equivalent of baseball hires. If we were to pull that miracle off with that buyout, means some booster stepped up

The closest Saban equivalent would probably be O'Sullivan. Hiring Bakich would be like hiring Lincoln Riley or Brian Kelly. It would absolutely be a hell of a pull.

[Santiago]

and he may have- but a pro approach is being fostered now. We are about to go thru a big change in baseball if these guys get their way.

As I was told- "Will Clark being there a few times had a purpose"

What would a pro approach entail?
Is that involving a GM , and then a coach/manager?

[Todd4State]

What would a pro approach entail?
Is that involving a GM , and then a coach/manager?

In today's game it would be a GM that would focus on player acquisition and retention. High school and portal and JUCO. Someone or someone's that are evaluating other players to potentially acquire later. Probably someone with some scouting connections.

But also player development. Some schools have a pitching specialist and a hitting specialist. They aren't on the field staff but basically would do things in the pitching lab to try to help maximize results. As I have said we need to update our tech on the hitting side a bit I have heard so basically like a hitting lab as well.

May have a catching analyst depending on staff make up to assist with catchers and maybe one for baserunning. There are a lot of ways we can go with this.

Basically the off the field analyst staff would work with the on field staff and the on the field staff would implement instruction based on the findings from the labs/tech.

[Todd4State]

For example:

https://utsports.com/sports/baseball/coaches

https://godeacs.com/sports/baseball/coaches

https://lsusports.net/sports/bsb/roster/

[KB21]

In today's game it would be a GM that would focus on player acquisition and retention. High school and portal and JUCO. Someone or someone's that are evaluating other players to potentially acquire later. Probably someone with some scouting connections.

But also player development. Some schools have a pitching specialist and a hitting specialist. They aren't on the field staff but basically would do things in the pitching lab to try to help maximize results. As I have said we need to update our tech on the hitting side a bit I have heard so basically like a hitting lab as well.

May have a catching analyst depending on staff make up to assist with catchers and maybe one for baserunning. There are a lot of ways we can go with this.

Basically the off the field analyst staff would work with the on field staff and the on the field staff would implement instruction based on the findings from the labs/tech.


We need multiple additions to the player development staff, IMO. We have Bobby Austin over player development, and while he probably has a couple of volunteer assistants, that's not enough. We need someone who is tech savvy that runs player development and someone who understands how to utilize biomechanics, player tracking data, pitch data, and swing data to help aid the director of player development. We also need someone separate from player development who does nothing but look at analytics and trends to help with our own in game strategy as well as advanced scouting opponents.

[cheewgumm]

Another funding idea


Why can?t we get sponsorship from someone like Coca Cola to put a huge lit up Coke bottle in the outfield ?

Much like at SF Giants park?

[SPMT]

A few things we DON?T need to do are:

1. Have biomechanists and nerd analysts start changing swings based on some perfect computer based model or ?launch angle? etc.

Even with specific player anthropometric data, we can?t measure the nervous system or fiber makeup or elasticity accurately enough to change swings, etc.

Just tweak them. No over hauls, which points to below.

2. Recruit or sign people who need a swing overhaul.

Use data for tweaks and approach. Ex. Show someone like Hines how his run production etc. will increase if he can hit opposite field some. He will then be able to get more pitches that he can drive over the fence.

[KB21]

That?s not what is happening with GPS tracked swing analysis. They don?t look to make massive swing changes. There are certain data points they look for to determine whether someone has some untapped power potential, and they make those adjustments. Some players generate good EVs but hit the ball on the ground too much. Nolan Stevens is currently one of those. With some tech aided swing changes, he may be able to tap into the considerable raw power he has by hitting the ball in the air more.

[SPMT]

That?s not what is happening with GPS tracked swing analysis. They don?t look to make massive swing changes. There are certain data points they look for to determine whether someone has some untapped power potential, and they make those adjustments. Some players generate good EVs but hit the ball on the ground too much. Nolan Stevens is currently one of those. With some tech aided swing changes, he may be able to tap into the considerable raw power he has by hitting the ball in the air more.

Good. Then a coach has to take over and cue the player to get the proper outcome.

[Bdawg]

Spoke to a player?s dad today. He said the players are relieved, relaxed, and somewhat excited about playing the remainder of the season with no Lemonis. He didn?t have time to give me the deep dive, all he said was ?it was bad?.

Tells you Selmon made the right call.

[Cowbell]

I got the info from someone not Steve. He just confirmed it so I know if he had it then it is damn solid because it is not just rumor.

Or he hears it from the same source.... that guy confirming anything not factual discredits it

On multiple occasions in the last few years, I have seen him use this board for information that he then regurgitates for gospel. Bert Stare made him look like an idiot.

[The Federalist Engineer]

Clemson blew a 9th inning lead vs Florida State and lost in extras.

The setup man was cruising and then the closer was tasked with a 2 inning save. Crash.

Clemson also blundered on the base pads, bad.

Even had a man on 2nd base and then worked to bunt him over. 2nd base is already scoring position. Sucks. Gave away a key at bat and the bunt failed.

[KB21]

After listening to Kendall Rogers on Super Talk discuss this, I have a feeling the pecking order for Mississippi State is probably:
1. Brian O'Connor/Virginia
2. Wes Johnson/Georgia
3. Butch Thompson/Auburn
4. Nick Mingione/Kentucky
5. Rob Vaughn/Alabama
6. Chris Pollard/Duke
7. Skip Johnson/Oklahoma
8. Skylar Meade/Troy
9. Will Coggin/Georgia*
10. Josh Elander/Tennessee*
11. Noah Cain/Texas*

There are other names floated out there like Erik Bakich, Dan Fitzgerald, and Steve Sabins, but Kendall didn't mention any of them. He also stated that he didn't think this would be a hiring that comes out of left field like Chris Lemonis did.

[Todd4State]

After listening to Kendall Rogers on Super Talk discuss this, I have a feeling the pecking order for Mississippi State is probably:
1. Brian O'Connor/Virginia
2. Wes Johnson/Georgia
3. Butch Thompson/Auburn
4. Nick Mingione/Kentucky
5. Rob Vaughn/Alabama
6. Chris Pollard/Duke
7. Skip Johnson/Oklahoma
8. Skylar Meade/Troy
9. Will Coggin/Georgia*
10. Josh Elander/Tennessee*
11. Noah Cain/Texas*

There are other names floated out there like Erik Bakich, Dan Fitzgerald, and Steve Sabins, but Kendall didn't mention any of them. He also stated that he didn't think this would be a hiring that comes out of left field like Chris Lemonis did.

Always proceed with caution with Kendall. Sometimes he has an agenda to promote certain guys. Like Nolan Cain. He has gotten roasted for floating Cliff Godwin's name out so many times that he has actually stopped.

O'Conner looking around is not a secret. He knows that from his A&M days. But that's the only reason he probably is aware of that. The rest of those guys are mostly guys who have ties to MSU or Oklahoma and that is not a priority in this search. In other words he is guessing based on association.

Elander is floating his name out because he is ready for a head coaching position. It's a lot more likely he ends up going to place where the guy we hired used to coach than it is that he ends up here. I have a feeling we would offer Coggin the job before Elander if it even goes that far which I doubt it will.

[Todd4State]

We need multiple additions to the player development staff, IMO. We have Bobby Austin over player development, and while he probably has a couple of volunteer assistants, that's not enough. We need someone who is tech savvy that runs player development and someone who understands how to utilize biomechanics, player tracking data, pitch data, and swing data to help aid the director of player development. We also need someone separate from player development who does nothing but look at analytics and trends to help with our own in game strategy as well as advanced scouting opponents.

I don't think Bobby has that much help honestly and that's part of the problem. It's pretty amazing how much data he has to put together. I wouldn't be surprised if he is retained if for no other reason we need to upgrade that department and we need all the manpower we can get.

[Todd4State]

A few things we DON?T need to do are:

1. Have biomechanists and nerd analysts start changing swings based on some perfect computer based model or ?launch angle? etc.

Even with specific player anthropometric data, we can?t measure the nervous system or fiber makeup or elasticity accurately enough to change swings, etc.

Just tweak them. No over hauls, which points to below.

2. Recruit or sign people who need a swing overhaul.

Use data for tweaks and approach. Ex. Show someone like Hines how his run production etc. will increase if he can hit opposite field some. He will then be able to get more pitches that he can drive over the fence.

I think the biomechanics, analytics, and traditional baseball fundamentals are starting to merge together which I think is inevitable. There is something to be taken from all of it and too much focus on one over the other can lead to bad baseball.

Let's not forget- the Moneyball A's never won the World Series.

[Todd4State]

Also- this search is going to be done a lot more professionally than our last two searches.

And we're not going to have Ron Polk throwing a fit if we don't hire who he wants

When we hired Cann it was October I think. That's a really bad time to hire a head baseball coach. We really didn't have much of a chance to hire someone elite and just took a chance on an up and coming assistant.

When we hired Lemonis, I thought Cohen was pretty unprofessional about it. And it fell apart. That's how you end up with a guy like Lemonis who honestly I had never heard of before we hired him.

[Tripp McNeely]

I think the biomechanics, analytics, and traditional baseball fundamentals are starting to merge together which I think is inevitable. There is something to be taken from all of it and too much focus on one over the other can lead to bad baseball.

Let's not forget- the Moneyball A's never won the World Series.

Also, the other lesson from Moneyball is the As did what they did, and revamped the roster to reflect Sabermetrics...because they HAD to to compete! The best formula is still if you can do it, which we can, is to recruit and pay for the best talent and just overcome with talent! We're much closer to the Yankees (from a resources perspective) in that movie than the As

[KB21]

The teams that have historically been able to get talent are also now heavily invested in analytics.

[The Federalist Engineer]

The kid that jacked a 3 run HR for LSU versus Tennessee last night, was wearing a little bra with a device mounted to the bra.

This is common in Soccer to measure athletic outputs. The change is here. You can't barely see his bra in the picture.

https://www.tigerrag.com/wp-content/uploads/AJaredJonesTenn-678x381.jpg

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTt55s0r54xdM07fuz53Su5hsqpBpxC1 drSZQ&s

[Mjoelner34]

The kid that jacked a 3 run HR for LSU versus Tennessee last night, was wearing a little bra with a device mounted to the bra.

This is common in Soccer to measure athletic outputs. The change is here. You can't barely see his bra in the picture.

https://www.tigerrag.com/wp-content/uploads/AJaredJonesTenn-678x381.jpg

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTt55s0r54xdM07fuz53Su5hsqpBpxC1 drSZQ&s

I've seen pics of our football players wearing them in workouts.

[sandjunky]

I've seen pics of our football players wearing them in workouts.

It?s called a K Vest

[Mjoelner34]

It?s called a K Vest

But if Sam Pittman is wearing one, it's called....
https://i.imgur.com/sVsYEpO.jpeg

[The Federalist Engineer]

It?s called a K Vest

When MSU players wear it, it's a "k-vest".

When LSU guys wear it, it's a Bra

Seriously though, it's a must do. MLB does it. It's the future of injury prevention and real scouting.

[SPMT]

I think the biomechanics, analytics, and traditional baseball fundamentals are starting to merge together which I think is inevitable. There is something to be taken from all of it and too much focus on one over the other can lead to bad baseball.

Let's not forget- the Moneyball A's never won the World Series.

Agree. Blend it.

[Quaoarsking]

Just wanted to leave this observation about Virginia baseball in 2025:

They are 11-10 in the ACC with 6 games to go. They are in good shape to finish something like 14-13 or 15-12, which normally would be good enough to make a Regional. Unfortunately:
Their RPI sucks. It's currently 71, and while it could improve a little with some more wins, it won't go up much. Their strength of schedule (SOS 82, NC SOS 213) is by far the worst in the ACC. Whoever made that schedule really screwed them over.
They're only playing 27 conference games rather than 30 because their road series at Florida State (great opportunity to improve their RPI) was canceled after the shooting there. Bad luck.
The ACC is slipping a bit as a conference. It's still a top 3 conference, but it's no longer the case that having a winning conference record is a lock to get into a Regional like it used to be - Louisville missed it last year at 16-14 and an RPI of 60.


I just wanted to get ahead of all that in case people start asking "Why should we hire a coach who missed the Regionals this year?" O'Connor did his part, but it just didn't work out, probably not through any fault of his own. (Unless he made the schedule himself?) It helps explain why he might be interested in looking around, whether he ultimately takes our job or not.

In fact, if O'Connor is the guy, I'd rather Virginia not make a Regional at this point anyway so that we can announce him as soon as the brackets are revealed, and then there's no worry about what if Parker goes on a deep run, or what if O'Connor takes UVA on a deep run?

[EdwardDrayton]

But if Sam Pittman is wearing one, it's called....
https://i.imgur.com/sVsYEpO.jpeg

Or is it the Mansierre??!!?? LOL!!!

[BigDawg81]

A friend of mine that knows Ace and his dad told me a couple of things.
1) Ace loves Starkville and couldn’t see himself playing anywhere else.
2) The feeling around the clubhouse is that O’Connor is the leader and will probably be the coach.
This is coming Ace Reese and his dad.

[StarkVegasSteve]

A friend of mine that knows Ace and his dad told me a couple of things.
1) Ace loves Starkville and couldn’t see himself playing anywhere else.
2) The feeling around the clubhouse is that O’Connor is the leader and will probably be the coach.
This is coming Ace Reese and his dad.

I will just caution you with this, the players all were told Schloss was the next HC last time before the season ended, I think it was either the FL or AR series.

Good to hear on Reese though. I know his parents really like it in Starkville and would prefer he stays.

[bigbub50]

How does Ace’s birthday fall? Is he eligible after this season to be drafted?

[KB21]

How does Ace’s birthday fall? Is he eligible after this season to be drafted?

2026 eligible for the draft.

[Santiago]

Not sure if anyone scans 247, but a month or more ago, when Oconner made a public statement if his starters did not perform as they should, then we would find someone who would...something like that.
But then a week later Rosebowl was quick to post O'Conner's record for that past week , and saying things like "this type of coaching does not work in this era of baseball" etc.
And then Virginia started winning games right after that, and Rosebowl said no more.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Not sure if anyone scans 247, but a month or more ago, when Oconner made a public statement if his starters did not perform as they should, then we would find someone who would...something like that.
But then a week later Rosebowl was quick to post O'Conner's record for that past week , and saying things like "this type of coaching does not work in this era of baseball" etc.
And then Virginia started winning games right after that, and Rosebowl said no more.

He's going to stick up for whoever the Mississippi State coach is and all other coaches, unless it's a Cohen disciple, can kick rocks.

If O'Conner said that at State he would laud how tough and hard nosed our coach is compared to these other coaches in this NIL era.

[Chuck3124]

Any truth to BOC turning us down last week? Just something I heard last night idk their sources or anything like that fwiw

[StateDawg44]

Any truth to BOC turning us down last week? Just something I heard last night idk their sources or anything like that fwiw

I would assume they were referring to his comment last week but it doesn't read as if the door is actually totally closed.