Coaching change

baseballfanatic · September 2nd, 2009, 09:33 AM

I got this idea from a poster on another site.

Does the fact that there was no coaching search bother you guys?

I have no problem with Gaspard being named as coach, but shouldn't there been a search, and then if he was the best fit, then so be it.

Granted I don't know that our program "right now" can pull in a top tier coach, but I'm starting to get the feeling that the administration was trying to bury this news by releasing it during the first week of football season.

Just curious as to my fellow Bama baseball fans' opinions.

bamajake · September 2nd, 2009, 09:41 AM

Why bother with a dog and pony search? I think everyone knew when Mitch came back a couple of years ago that he was going to be the next head coach. Besides, the athletic department would have had to spend a little money and put forth a little effort to have a search. Lord knows the athletic department can't put forth any effort or spend any money on the baseball program.

baseballfanatic · September 2nd, 2009, 09:55 AM

Interesting opinion. I didn't look at it from a money perspective, though I admit I should have looked there first. That just goes to reinforce a separate opinion that the Ath Dept doesn't support the baseball program.

Love the Ping · September 2nd, 2009, 12:04 PM

Yeah, there really was no reason to do a search. Mitch becoming the coach was locked in when he came back two years ago.

As far as the timing of this news, I don't think it matters. Obviously it needed to come before fall practice started, and the only time anyone in this state outside of probably this board talks about baseball is a three-week period at the end of May and beginning of June. Outside of that time span this story was going to be buried after a day or two regardless of when it was announced.

Tider in Illinois · September 2nd, 2009, 12:14 PM

I have to say I agree with everyone's opinions on this topic. I figured it was a done deal when Gaspard came back from NSU.
I also figured the effort and money it would take to do a search would be too steep for the Athletic Dept.
Anyway, I like the hire and wish CMG the best of luck.
RTR

uabaseballdad · September 2nd, 2009, 04:15 PM

I'm with you Tider, I think this was a good hire.

I politely disagree with all the naysayers.
I think Coach Saban has brought a new attitude to the Ath. Dept., in that, he wants all the athletic programs at Alabama to be top tier. I look for all the programs to be vastly improved over the next 3 to 5 years. I anticipate some potential changes in assistance coaches in several of the programs over the next 24 to 36 months and we will begin to see more assistance coaches promoted from within the Bama family?? Just my thoughts, no evidence.

We might even see Coach Saban as the Athletic Director at Alabama when Coach Moore decides to retire or when he is ready for a new challange.

JoJoforHeisman · September 2nd, 2009, 05:27 PM

Agree with everyone above. This has been a foregone conclusion for three years. It was a never a matter of if Gaspard succeeded Wells, but when.

The most significant upgrade to the program at this point may very well be the addition of a pitching coach.

crimsonkelly · September 3rd, 2009, 10:29 AM

Ding Ding, gotta get one!

baseballfanatic · September 8th, 2009, 09:39 AM

Thanks for your responses and opinions everyone.

I wasn't trying to imply that I was upset or disappointed with the Gaspard hire, it was, like everyone has said, a foregone conclusion that this team was his. I guess I'm just so used to having a "Coaching search" when looking for a coach that I'll just have to adjust a little bit to this "Coach-in-waiting" philosophy.

Another thing I want to agree with is that Nick Saban seems to have completely changed the attitude in the Ath Dept. He (pretty much) instigated a coaching change in basketball due to the empty and lifeless atmosphere of Gottfried's last two years. It was affecting recruiting.

If only us baseball fans can convince him to bring recruits to a baseball game, then tell the administration we need new facilities

. That seems to be the way to get things done around here. Make it somehow affect football haha.

uabaseballdad · September 8th, 2009, 05:34 PM

Another point of possible interest:
Coach Saban is probably the biggest supporter of Alabama Baseball within the administration. Not only was Coach Saban an outstanding football player at Kent Sate, he was also a 2 sport athlete, the 2nd being Baseball! I don't think for one moment that Coach Saban would not be willing to assist with a top baseball recruit if he was asked to help. Coach Saban is a tireless worker (coach), winner, and cheerleader for every sport and I think he will become an even larger influence in all athletics at Alabama. He might even have some influence (help close the deal) on a top tier pitching coach coming to Alabama.
This doesn't mean he is involved in the process (not his style), only that he might be able to help Mitch close the deal on a coach sitting on the fence???
JMHP!

BAMASHAQ · September 8th, 2009, 05:46 PM

I like it. I like it alot nice post uabaseballdad