Fire Gene Stephenson

[SB Shock]

I don't understand why Sexton needs to give Gene a vote of confidence to fire him, nor do I see where they smell change with basketball.

Not much made sense to me, what did his post mean?

I think he is implying that usually when somebody is given a "vote of confidence" that is usually the precursor to being fired.

[1972Shocker]

He wants to replace the kids when they don't do the job they were expected to do, I want to replace him when he doesn't do the job he was expected to do.

I don't think there is any question that Gene has far exceeded the job he was expected to do when he was hired in 1978. Heck the job he has done over the last 5 years probably exceeds those expectations.

Has the program declined in stature in recent years? It sure has.

Can it be brought back to its former glory? That's debatable but I doubt it.

Would new blood inject some needed new energy and vitality into the program? Yes, I believe it would.

Should/Will Gene be fired? I don't really want to see him fired and I don't think he will be fired although I suppose not renewing his contract is the same thing and that could very well happen. It would be nice if the old war horse would work with ADES, etc to formulate a succcession plan, make it public and implement that in the next two years. Will Gene cooperate in such an approach? Unfortunately, I doubt it.

[DUShock]

All I know is that I have my countdown to season tickets once again. It may not be next season but it will be soon.

Better Days!

Go Shocks!!!!

[claycpa]

Even UT is smart enough to make a change after a horrible season.


UT baseball: Veteran assistant Harmon dismissed
AUSTIN — Texas baseball assistant Tommy Harmon, the longest-tenured coach on any of the Longhorns’ major sports teams, has been dismissed by UT after 23 seasons.

The school announced Wednesday it will not renew the annual contract of Harmon, 63, who served under both Cliff Gustafson and current coach Augie Garrido. With Harmon on the staff, the Longhorns made the College World Series 10 times, winning it twice.

In a statement released by UT, Garrido said of letting Harmon go, “This has been the most difficult decision I have ever had to make.”

The change after the Longhorns missed the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1998. Harmon, who played at UT from 1968-’70, had been a Longhorns assistant since 1989 and associate head coach since 2004.

“I bleed orange and I wish the best for the student-athletes on the team,” Harmon said in UT’s statement.

[ShockTalk]

Well, that makes for an interesting comparison with the Krusty/Augie angle, long time assistants, and drop in success.

[WSUwatcher]

Even UT is smart enough to make a change after a horrible season.


UT baseball: Veteran assistant Harmon dismissed
AUSTIN — Texas baseball assistant Tommy Harmon, the longest-tenured coach on any of the Longhorns’ major sports teams, has been dismissed by UT after 23 seasons.

The school announced Wednesday it will not renew the annual contract of Harmon, 63, who served under both Cliff Gustafson and current coach Augie Garrido. With Harmon on the staff, the Longhorns made the College World Series 10 times, winning it twice.

In a statement released by UT, Garrido said of letting Harmon go, “This has been the most difficult decision I have ever had to make.”

The change after the Longhorns missed the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1998. Harmon, who played at UT from 1968-’70, had been a Longhorns assistant since 1989 and associate head coach since 2004.

“I bleed orange and I wish the best for the student-athletes on the team,” Harmon said in UT’s statement.

Definitely interesting fodder for those frustrated with Gene's steadfast refusal to change his staff.

Possibly the key: I believe Harmon was their hitting coach, and the Texas offense last year (4.8 rpg) made WSU's look good. Of course, Oklahoma (just 5.2 rpg themselves, and swept by Texas early in conference play) didn't exactly pound teams into submission, either, and they're still playing. Bottom line, though, is that the old Zenmaster didn't hesitate to pull the trigger, even on a guy who had been there since the Gustafson days. Call it preemptive self-defense, call it overreaction, or call it flexibility -- but regardless, when he didn't like the results, he acted. (And not for the first time, either: some years ago, when he wasn't getting the sort of pitching results he wanted, Garrido ditched UT legend and former major leaguer Burt Hooton as his pitching coach, too. So he's not reluctant to make big moves.)

[Ta town]

Definitely interesting fodder for those frustrated with Gene's steadfast refusal to change his staff.

Possibly the key: I believe Harmon was their hitting coach, and the Texas offense last year (4.8 rpg) made WSU's look good. Of course, Oklahoma (just 5.2 rpg themselves, and swept by Texas early in conference play) didn't exactly pound teams into submission, either, and they're still playing. Bottom line, though, is that the old Zenmaster didn't hesitate to pull the trigger, even on a guy who had been there since the Gustafson days. Call it preemptive self-defense, call it overreaction, or call it flexibility -- but regardless, when he didn't like the results, he acted. (And not for the first time, either: some years ago, when he wasn't getting the sort of pitching results he wanted, Garrido ditched UT legend and former major leaguer Burt Hooton as his pitching coach, too. So he's not reluctant to make big moves.)

Hey Buddy! I heard Gene himself say things are going to change...they are going to hit and run more. Straight from his mouth to my ears via radio.

So in your face, Gene is as flexible as they come. Nothing proves that more than doubling down on what you have always done.

[1972Shocker]

I heard Gene himself say things are going to change...they are going to hit and run more. Straight from his mouth to my ears via radio.

So in your face, Gene is as flexible as they come. Nothing proves that more than doubling down on what you have always done.

And, done so successfully. I thought Gene said on the radio that they did not successfully execute any hit and runs in 2012, but in the paper he tempered that quite a bit. I think he said they had 1 successful hit and run this past season.

[Ta town]

And, done so successfully. I thought Gene said on the radio that they did not successfully execute any hit and runs in 2012, but in the paper he tempered that quite a bit. I think he said they had 1 successful hit and run this past season.

I thought he said one time both in the paper and on the radio. Either way as many times as he calls it that is a terrible success rate.

I get how bunting is giving up outs but at the college level there will be errors. Look at CU, they are sort of nerve racking to pitch against even though they can't hit. If they get that leadoff runner on they are going to put pressure on you by making you execute.

I'm not saying I want some bunt fest going on, but it would be nice to be able to bunt when needed.

[SB Shock]

Perry the platypus hitting theorem

1. Most precious thing in baseball is outs - you only get 27.
2. Bunting increases the probability of scoring 1 run.
3. If u want to put up crooked numbers u minimize bunting.
4. Good hitting teams will be able to hit and run and bunt as the situations dictates.

[1972Shocker]

What you want to do is put up one more number than the other team has. How you get there is really not all that important but will depend on what kind of lineup you can field.

You can play for the 3-run homer all you want but if you have to have some mashers in your lineup for that to work.

I agree that a mix of bunting and hit and running (and throw in the occasional stolen base) will depend on the situation. But the Shocks more or less totally ignore the bunt and aren't very good at the hit and run and they certainly don't have a lineup full of mashers.

[Ta town]

be able to hit and run and bunt as the situations dictates.

Yes no need to bunt in the first, I'm talking more like being down 1 run with a runner at first in the bottom of the 8th with no outs in the MVC tourney and you are trying to avoid going to the losers bracket because regionals depends on it. Thats the kind of bunting I'm talking about.

[SB Shock]

Yes no need to bunt in the first, I'm talking more like being down 1 run with a runner at first in the bottom of the 8th with no outs in the MVC tourney and you are trying to avoid going to the losers bracket because regionals depends on it. Thats the kind of bunting I'm talking about.

Recruit some good hitters and it will all be taken care of.

[tripleshock]

Or actually teach something about hitting.

[SB Shock]

Or actually teach something about hitting.

Developing good hitters works for me also. It is time the charity ended. This coaching staff is payed very good money. They either need to produce or be replaced with somebody who can.