Staff Hires

[StarkVegasSteve]

First official hire has been confirmed by Kendall. Matt Kirby, longtime UVA recruiting coordinator, is joining the staff in the same capacity.

[KOdawg1]

Not announced yet, but Kevin McMullan is expected to join him too. They're leaving Drew Dickinson behind, so he'll have a new pitching coach. Rumor is it's going to be Corey Muscara, but they're still playing in Knoxville.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Not announced yet, but Kevin McMullan is expected to join him too. They're leaving Drew Dickinson behind, so he'll have a new pitching coach. Rumor is it's going to be Corey Muscara, but they're still playing in Knoxville.

Yep. That is the way the tea leaves are reading. We will see how that works out. Just going with the official ones now. I would imagine McMullan will at least interview for that UVA job, doubt he gets it. I would not be whole surprised to see Muscara interview for it either. Funny enough, I actually think Justin Parker could get the job if he wanted it.

[Todd4State]

McMullen has been offered other jobs in the past and has been with O'Connor for over 20 years. And he has been a manager in the Atlanta Braves system. I think he is one of those guys that just likes what he does. And honestly we should be as excited about McMullen as we are for Muscara.

I know the rumor is that he is coming and while not official I wouldn't be surprised if it's true.

[Todd4State]

Yep. That is the way the tea leaves are reading. We will see how that works out. Just going with the official ones now. I would imagine McMullan will at least interview for that UVA job, doubt he gets it. I would not be whole surprised to see Muscara interview for it either. Funny enough, I actually think Justin Parker could get the job if he wanted it.

I wonder if they go after Elander from Tennessee?

If they aren't putting a ton of resources into their program they're probably going to hire an assistant.

[StarkVegasSteve]

McMullen has been offered other jobs in the past and has been with O'Connor for over 20 years. And he has been a manager in the Atlanta Braves system. I think he is one of those guys that just likes what he does. And honestly we should be as excited about McMullen as we are for Muscara.

I know the rumor is that he is coming and while not official I wouldn't be surprised if it's true.

McMullan will be a very nice hire if he is brought in. I think it is a mistake letting Jake go, but you have to let a new coach pick his own staff. You do not hire him and then tell him who is going to be on his staff. Like I said in the portal thread, I think we may lose Ace if Jake is not here but you cannot let one player determine if a coach stays or not.

[Todd4State]

McMullan will be a very nice hire if he is brought in. I think it is a mistake letting Jake go, but you have to let a new coach pick his own staff. You do not hire him and then tell him who is going to be on his staff. Like I said in the portal thread, I think we may lose Ace if Jake is not here but you cannot let one player determine if a coach stays or not.

With all of the new positions on staff I think there is a good chance that O'Connor would retain him in some capacity and would be fine doing it. I just don't think Jake would want to do it.

[StarkVegasSteve]

With all of the new positions on staff I think there is a good chance that O'Connor would retain him in some capacity and would be fine doing it. I just don't think Jake would want to do it.

In a perfect world Jake would be the GM/Director of Player Development. But I know Jake, he is a coach. He had the office job when he was working for Boras. He wants to coach. And unfortunately it seems like that will not be at Mississippi State anymore. I hate it because Jake is the only reason we got kids not named Khal Stephen out of the portal. He worked his ass off to get the ones we got. Jake never really missed. Braden Montgomery we never had a chance at because Braden Montgomery did not want to play here so I will never count that against Jake.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Kevin McMullan makes it official that he will be joining O’Connor so that just leaves PC for the last on field coaching role unless Kirby is going to be off the field.

[Thick]

Who?s coaching third base??

[Activated Alpha]

Even though I bitched throughout the season about the slow offensive starts by Geaut. I do hate to see him go because dude absolutely stood for State and worked his tail off for our program.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Who?s coaching third base??

McMullan is who has coached it for O’Connor in his UVA tenure

[Coursesuper]

McMullan is who has coached it for O’Connor in his UVA tenure

Everybody everywhere hates the third base coach. It's just a given.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Everybody everywhere hates the third base coach. It's just a given.

And everyone will hate this one too at times. Like you said, it's just a given.

I will say that Kyle had more head scratching and downright infuriating moments than the average 3rd base coach.

[99jc]

And everyone will hate this one too at times. Like you said, it's just a given.

I will say that Kyle had more head scratching and downright infuriating moments than the average 3rd base coach.

Cheeseburger sucked no way to sugar coat it!

[KB21]

Not sure what his role will be, but I've heard that Michael Roberts at James Madison might be joining the staff as well. Justin Armistead appears to be coming in an off the field role.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Cheeseburger sucked no way to sugar coat it!

I liked Kyle a lot but he had some absolutely stupid decisions at 3B over the years. I mean case and point was Powell on Sunday against Northeastern. He has him halfway down the line on a ball in the outfield. Have him on the base ready to tag.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Not sure what his role will be, but I've heard that Michael Roberts at James Madison might be joining the staff as well. Justin Armistead appears to be coming in an off the field role.

He could. I have no clue what his role would be unless he's going to take an off field role. Because if we have Muscara as PC, McMullan as HC, and Kirby as RC I don't really know what that leaves. I guess he could go back to Special Asst to HC, which is what he was in his second stint at UVA.

[KB21]

https://x.com/GregMadia/status/1929584632464392512

[StarkVegasSteve]

https://x.com/GregMadia/status/1929584632464392512

So add that one to the list.

And for those that don't have Twitter/X, Travis Reifsnider(UVA Director of Player Dev and Scouting) will be coming with O'Connor. I imagine it will be in a similar role although I would not be surprised to see those roles split up here.

[KB21]

He could. I have no clue what his role would be unless he's going to take an off field role. Because if we have Muscara as PC, McMullan as HC, and Kirby as RC I don't really know what that leaves. I guess he could go back to Special Asst to HC, which is what he was in his second stint at UVA.

Michael Roberts is official now. He's on the Mississippi State staff. I have no idea in what capacity.

[KB21]

Confirmed staff additions:

Kevin McMullan
Matt Kirby
Travis Reifsnider
Justin Armistead
Justin Weiss
Joe Savino
Michael Roberts

[Todd4State]

Any chance that we bring in Chuck Box?

[StarkVegasSteve]

Any chance that we bring in Chuck Box?

No.

[KB21]

Any chance that we bring in Chuck Box?

Doubt it, and I have no idea if I am related to him.

[Todd4State]

No.

Well that's that.

[basedog]

If WF coach doesn't come I wonder who is up next. I would think Parker but I don't know he would stay now.

[StarkVegasSteve]

If WF coach doesn't come I wonder who is up next. I would think Parker but I don't know he would stay now.

The door has closed on Parker unless something drastic changes. He is pretty checked out with Mississippi State.


Edit: Well something drastic may have happened. There may be a chance now. I still do not think it is great, but the door is cracked where I had heard it was slammed shut.

[Tough Dawg]

Chuck would be a great addition. Done a great job with Schlossnagle. He?s ready to come home as well

[BeardoMSU]

With Wake done, how long until we hear something on CM?

[MrCoachKlein]

Who?s coaching third base??

Say Cheese /s