Who Replaces Gene?

[XManCometh]

I know it is over, said and done, but here is where I have an issue. You are saying 1 of 2 things. Either Gene wasn't told the entire staff was fired (which he was) or the AD knowingly lied to him and BK knowingly stabbed him in the back. If this is true I can never support BK in any way as a Shocker coach. Brent has admitted over and over that Gene took the OU job because that was Brent's dream job. Then to stab Gene in the back by plotting with the AD to stay on after the entire staff is "supposedly" fired. Yeah, no thanks... That is called being a "buddy fu--er". Also keep in mind Gene is probably where he is today because of his loyalty to his staff (I think too loyal, but you can't really argue his loyalty to his coaching staff).

If I remember from the press conference, Gene said that he fought for his guys to stay and ADES let Brent keep his job. So Brent isn't stabbing Gene in the back (even though he did seem a little too happy Gene was gone during the interviews I saw on tv). Brent has also taken his name out of the running for the head coach position, so you don't have to worry about supporting him or not.

The press conference was almost a week ago though and I've drank a lot of beer since then, so I may be pulling a Roger Clemens here with the facts.

[DPruett2333]

At this point, if our next head coach isn't Kevin Hooper and our next hitting coach isn't Mark Standiford, I'll be disappointed.

[RoyalShock]

Dan Heefner - Dallas Baptist. Take it to the bank.

With Dallas Baptist joining the Valley, do we really want to rob them of the one coach who made them relevant? I say WSU should help Dallas Baptist do whatever it takes to keep Heefner. We'll need the competition and RPI boost.

[Speed]

I'm starting to wonder if a contingency plan was in place.

[shocker3]

Kevin Hooper will either be the next head coach or at least on the coaching staff. Guaranteed. You heard it here first.

Loren Hibbs and PJ Forbes are both former shockers that have a lot more coaching experience than Hoop.

[ShockerFever]

Loren Hibbs and PJ Forbes are both former shockers that have a lot more coaching experience than Hoop.

A lot more experience, but at least with Hibbs (I don't know about Forbes), it hasn't translated into a whole lot of wins/post season success.

[shocker3]

Dan Heefner - Dallas Baptist. Take it to the bank.

I don't see anyway ADES could pick this guy. Just look at his record THIS YEAR. DBU finished 6TH in the 18th ranked WAC conference (Gene never finished nearly that bad EVER in 36 years at WSU).

DBU had a 30-30 record this year (again Gene ALWAYS finished better than .500 in his 36 years at WSU). and DBU had a RPI this year of 158 (warren nolan). WSU had a RPI of 103 this year (a team that many on this board was claiming to be Gene's worst ever).

I don't see how ADES can replace Gene with a guy who did much worse THIS year than Gene EVER did in 36 years. ADES needs to hit a home run with this hire and I don't see this guy fitting the bill.

[jdmee]

Tony Adame @t_adame 8h

K-State coach Brad Hill has not been contacted by Wichita State about opening. Would he listen if he was? "No," he said. "I would not."

I'm not saying anything about his candidacy for the job, but what do you expect him to say while is team is playing in the schools first ever super-regional with the chance to play for the schools first ever World Series, which would give the team the chance to play for the schools first ever team National Championship?

Did you expect him to say "HELL, YES. In fact I already called the moving company just in case they call. I'm outta here as fast as I can." You hear that all the time from a coach who two weeks later is the coach of the school he wouldn't take the call from.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Loren Hibbs and PJ Forbes are both former shockers that have a lot more coaching experience than Hoop.

What is your point?

[pogo]

What is your point?

Maybe not a hooper fan or at least doesn't think its a slam dunk?

[ShockTalk]

A lot more experience, but at least with Hibbs (I don't know about Forbes), it hasn't translated into a whole lot of wins/post season success.

I don't how one would compare PJ's success since in the "affiliated" minors it is more about what you do with the talent handed you, not your record. He started in the Phillies organization as manager in A ball for 2 years, the second year having a terrible record, yet he was promoted to manager of their AA team where he was for 3 years. Again, the last year was horrible record-wise. PJ then managed for the Pirates system at A for 2 years and their AA 2 years. He was then offered a "lower" position at which time he left. This year he will be managing the Rookie-Level Dodger team in Arizona from June - August.

One could say that Hooper does scout/recruit a lot of his players for the Wingnuts and has had success record-wise, however, it is Independent League ball. I suppose one could look at that as a plus or a minus. I feel it's a plus from the stand point he is not only responsible for their success in wins and losses, but also in the effort and work he does getting the players. That would include setting up "connection sources" in finding players, evaluating the talent/skills of the players, and history of players wanting to play for you. None of that happens in affiliated minor league ball.

[Ta town]

I don't how one would compare PJ's success since in the "affiliated" minors it is more about what you do with the talent handed you, not your record. He started in the Phillies organization as manager in A ball for 2 years, the second year having a terrible record, yet he was promoted to manager of their AA team where he was for 3 years. Again, the last year was horrible record-wise. PJ then managed for the Pirates system at A for 2 years and their AA 2 years. He was then offered a "lower" position at which time he left. This year he will be managing the Rookie-Level Dodger team in Arizona from June - August.

One could say that Hooper does scout/recruit a lot of his players for the Wingnuts and has had success record-wise, however, it is Independent League ball. I suppose one could look at that as a plus or a minus. I feel it's a plus from the stand point he is not only responsible for their success in wins and losses, but also in the effort and work he does getting the players. That would include setting up "connection sources" in finding players, evaluating the talent/skills of the players, and history of players wanting to play for you. None of that happens in affiliated minor league ball.

I actually think managing Independent baseball is more like managing college than managing affiliated ball. The experience in either has it's positives and negatives I suppose but Hooper played and experience plenty of affiliated ball himself and even though he hasn't managed in it he obviously has connections in ALL areas of Pro Ball.

I just don't get the hate for Hooper, he is young, a winner, played at the highest levels of D1 and pro ball, a successful manager.

[GoShockers89]

I don't think there's any hate for Hoop at all, some of us just don't have him as our #1 choice. Zero college coaching experience makes him a high-risk candidate, no matter how ya spin his success in independent league baseball. I mean...how excited would we be if our next basketball coach's only experience was coaching an NBDL team or something similar?

He is a great guy and I'll certainly support him if he's the pick. There are very, very strong arguments for other candidates though. I'm on record as wanting Standiford if this stays in the family because every major positive for Hoop also applies to Mark, plus he's 1000x better connected to area recruits and has run a (albeit small) college program with success.

[Trigger]

I don't think there's any hate for Hoop at all, some of us just don't have him as our #1 choice. Zero college coaching experience makes him a high-risk candidate, no matter how ya spin his success in independent league baseball. I mean...how excited would we be if our next basketball coach's only experience was coaching an NBDL team or something similar?

He is a great guy and I'll certainly support him if he's the pick. There are very, very strong arguments for other candidates though.

Agree. I'm not saying Hoop's job is easy but his recruiting is watching the MLB waiver wire.

[The Coach]

I actually think managing Independent baseball is more like managing college than managing affiliated ball. The experience in either has it's positives and negatives I suppose but Hooper played and experience plenty of affiliated ball himself and even though he hasn't managed in it he obviously has connections in ALL areas of Pro Ball.

I just don't get the hate for Hooper, he is young, a winner, played at the highest levels of D1 and pro ball, a successful manager.

He has some qualifications, but you overrate the Wingnuts. That's more on the order of town team baseball, and most years, the NBC champ would handle the Wingnuts with ease. They aren't that talented.

Also, this is about putting butts in the seats, and the Wingnuts - despite the inflated numbers in the Eagle - don't draw flies.

Hooper would be a fine addition in the JT role; the Shox can do better for a head coach, and should.