Listened to Talking Hoosier Baseball regarding coaching search. An aside, I appreciate what those folks do, which appears to be a labor of love and is sadly far superior to what IU puts out from their communications department. I hope whoever comes in can get improvement in that area.
A coaching change brings uncertainty, ideally the change brings positives and minimizes set backs. I fear 2019 recruit poaching and internal uncertainty and drift in an important off season and hope this is a quick and successful search. Coach Lemonis was hired in a week or so after Coach Smith left, but I suspect Glass had a little more advance warning then than he did on this one.
Any way THB seemed to hit the most likely candidates and we have had posts highlighting a few more. Coaching searches are crap shoots. IU has proved this over and over. Nonetheless I wanted an outlet to for my anxiety and a place to share our uniformed but deeply held opinions.
My top 5 in alphabetical order:
Scott Brown Vandy Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach http://www.vucommodores.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/scott_brown_830039.html
Pos demonstrated success with pitchers, Tim Corbin coaching tree, some Indiana recruiting
Neg No HC experience, no midwestern ties
Jeff Duncan Kent State HC https://kentstatesports.com/coaches.aspx?rc=93&path=baseball
Pos successful HC in first opportunity at Kent, MLB player, midwestern coaching recruiting experience,
Neg likely not here long term if successful
Jeff Mercer Wright State HC https://wsuraiders.com/coaches.aspx?rc=586&path=baseball
Pos, Indiana native, baseball family, successful in continuing positive program at Wright State, midwestern experience, family ties to Indiana Bulls, young, probably most likely to stay long term
Neg, young, limited HC experience
Travis Jewett HC Tulane https://tulanegreenwave.com/coaches.aspx?rc=940&path=baseball
Pos widespread success as assistant, Tim Corbin tree with NC, sought IU job last time, has recruited high level Indiana talent
Neg has first HC position and it is a historically successful southern program, first 2 years sub .500, no apparent Indiana ties.
Nate Yeskie Pitching Coach Oregon State http://osubeavers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=852&path=baseball
Pos. An important part of ridiculously successful OSU program, national recognition e.g. 2017 D1 Assistant of the year: https://d1baseball.com/awards/assistant-year-osus-nate-yeskie/
Neg Probably pipe to get this western guy here and no HC experience and no doubt benefits from the stability of Pat Casey’s program
For continuity, and our AD seems to value that, Duncan. CHANCE for a long term, successful coach, Mercer.
Biggest home run potential Yeskie.
My lean right now is Duncan, and hope in 2-3 years he gets a bigger gig and Mercer still wants to come home after continued success at Wright State.
A coaching change brings uncertainty, ideally the change brings positives and minimizes set backs. I fear 2019 recruit poaching and internal uncertainty and drift in an important off season and hope this is a quick and successful search. Coach Lemonis was hired in a week or so after Coach Smith left, but I suspect Glass had a little more advance warning then than he did on this one.
Any way THB seemed to hit the most likely candidates and we have had posts highlighting a few more. Coaching searches are crap shoots. IU has proved this over and over. Nonetheless I wanted an outlet to for my anxiety and a place to share our uniformed but deeply held opinions.
My top 5 in alphabetical order:
Scott Brown Vandy Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach http://www.vucommodores.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/scott_brown_830039.html
Pos demonstrated success with pitchers, Tim Corbin coaching tree, some Indiana recruiting
Neg No HC experience, no midwestern ties
Jeff Duncan Kent State HC https://kentstatesports.com/coaches.aspx?rc=93&path=baseball
Pos successful HC in first opportunity at Kent, MLB player, midwestern coaching recruiting experience,
Neg likely not here long term if successful
Jeff Mercer Wright State HC https://wsuraiders.com/coaches.aspx?rc=586&path=baseball
Pos, Indiana native, baseball family, successful in continuing positive program at Wright State, midwestern experience, family ties to Indiana Bulls, young, probably most likely to stay long term
Neg, young, limited HC experience
Travis Jewett HC Tulane https://tulanegreenwave.com/coaches.aspx?rc=940&path=baseball
Pos widespread success as assistant, Tim Corbin tree with NC, sought IU job last time, has recruited high level Indiana talent
Neg has first HC position and it is a historically successful southern program, first 2 years sub .500, no apparent Indiana ties.
Nate Yeskie Pitching Coach Oregon State http://osubeavers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=852&path=baseball
Pos. An important part of ridiculously successful OSU program, national recognition e.g. 2017 D1 Assistant of the year: https://d1baseball.com/awards/assistant-year-osus-nate-yeskie/
Neg Probably pipe to get this western guy here and no HC experience and no doubt benefits from the stability of Pat Casey’s program
For continuity, and our AD seems to value that, Duncan. CHANCE for a long term, successful coach, Mercer.
Biggest home run potential Yeskie.
My lean right now is Duncan, and hope in 2-3 years he gets a bigger gig and Mercer still wants to come home after continued success at Wright State.