Well, first and foremost, I will admit that the team exceeded my expectations. Of course, I predicted us to go somewhere around 10-20 to 12-18 in the conference. Our current RPI is 61 or 62, depending on which one you look at. A win over Kentucky won't improve it much so I think it will take at least a couple of wins in Hoover to get us to a regional. Quite frankly, I don't think we are deserving of a regional based on our resume. If we do make it to a regional, our pitching is good enough to win some games there if our pathetic offense can manage to plate a few runs. I won't hold my breath for that.
That brings me to our coaching situation. I think I have stated my opinion about that in other threads, and nothing has happened to change my mind. Here is the question that needs to be asked: What has happened this season to suggest that things might be better next year? As see it, the answer is nothing. This season has been nothing more than a repeat of the past few seasons. In my opinion, going .500 in the conference and hoping for a three seed in a regional is simply not acceptable. Changes must be made.
I'm sure there will be those (primarily on the coaching staff) who will say that we have a great recruiting class coming in that will have an immediate impact next year. According to Perfect Game, we had the number 14 ranked recruiting class ... in the SEC. That's right friends and neighbors, Perfect Game rated our recruiting class as the worst in the SEC. We ranked 67th nationally behind such traditional college baseball powers as Liberty (#37), High Point (#63), and Campbell (#65). In fact, Perfect Game rated our recruiting class 15 places lower than Alabama State (#52). That's right, we were out recruited this year by the Hornets of Alabama State. There is no excuse for that whatsoever. Recruiting is the lifeblood of any college program in any sport. Finishing last in your conference and behind a team from the SWAC is not the way to improve your program.
With all of this in mind, I see two possible scenarios. (1) Gaspard is not given a new contract (his expires at the end of this season) and we look toward the future and begin the process of rebuilding the program or (2) Gaspard gets a new contract and we continue to be a lower tier team in the SEC and we play in an empty stadium that we spent more than $40 million to build.
If anyone thinks that Gaspard should be retained, please state your reasons for believing that. I would like to hear any reasons that exist.
That brings me to our coaching situation. I think I have stated my opinion about that in other threads, and nothing has happened to change my mind. Here is the question that needs to be asked: What has happened this season to suggest that things might be better next year? As see it, the answer is nothing. This season has been nothing more than a repeat of the past few seasons. In my opinion, going .500 in the conference and hoping for a three seed in a regional is simply not acceptable. Changes must be made.
I'm sure there will be those (primarily on the coaching staff) who will say that we have a great recruiting class coming in that will have an immediate impact next year. According to Perfect Game, we had the number 14 ranked recruiting class ... in the SEC. That's right friends and neighbors, Perfect Game rated our recruiting class as the worst in the SEC. We ranked 67th nationally behind such traditional college baseball powers as Liberty (#37), High Point (#63), and Campbell (#65). In fact, Perfect Game rated our recruiting class 15 places lower than Alabama State (#52). That's right, we were out recruited this year by the Hornets of Alabama State. There is no excuse for that whatsoever. Recruiting is the lifeblood of any college program in any sport. Finishing last in your conference and behind a team from the SWAC is not the way to improve your program.
With all of this in mind, I see two possible scenarios. (1) Gaspard is not given a new contract (his expires at the end of this season) and we look toward the future and begin the process of rebuilding the program or (2) Gaspard gets a new contract and we continue to be a lower tier team in the SEC and we play in an empty stadium that we spent more than $40 million to build.
If anyone thinks that Gaspard should be retained, please state your reasons for believing that. I would like to hear any reasons that exist.
