Who Replaces Gene?

[tripleshock]

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.

I would have to disagree with each of your statements:

#1, I don't believe the NBC Champs from any given year would "handle the Wingnuts with ease" - be competitive, yes, but clearly superior? - no way.

#2, if you want to talk inflated numbers, let's compare Shocker's attendance vs. Wingnuts....I don't know for sure, but I think, apples to apples, they're similar.

#3, I don't believe the Shockers actually could do better than Hooper, as he seems to be almost a "perfect fit" for this job.

[Ricardo del Rio]

The new coach will know and can teach baseball. Of that I am sure.

I care about the new coach's ability to recruit. It doesn't matter how much experience or baseball knowledge the coach has, if he cannot recruit very well. Very well. Not just well. Extra very well. (See Coach Marshall)

The idea that a team of players can be made up of mediocre talent and they can be coached up into a championship team is a myth.

[ShockTalk]

The new coach will know and can teach baseball. Of that I am sure.

I care about the new coach's ability to recruit. It doesn't matter how much experience or baseball knowledge the coach has, if he cannot recruit very well. Very well. Not just well. Extra very well. (See Coach Marshall)

The idea that a team of players can be made up of mediocre talent and they can be coached up into a championship team is a myth.

These are the reasons I strongly lean to a quality, experienced D-I assistant coach that has had strong success on the recruiting trails. As much as I like Hoop, I see him more of an assistant coach where he can learn the ropes of D-I recruiting. I am not concerned with Kevin's BBIQ or work ethic. I believe he would make a great "teacher" of the game and would connect with college players. I hope Kevin would get strong consideration for the assistant position no matter who is hired.

[1972Shocker]

It is unlikely you will bring in a HC with more recruiting experience than Brent has. That makes hiring a smart, hard-working, enthusiastic natural salesman like Kevin Hooper not as big a risk as some are making it out to be in terms of recruiting. If Hoop can get his foot in the door than he will be able to close as well as anyone. After 35 years Brent should have a pretty good idea of how to get his foot in the door.

Who Hoop would add as his assistant coach will be important as well. That's why Mark Standiford is attractive in that role.

[shockmonster]

There will be no slam dunks. The only one would be Wedge and he won't be a candidate. Hoop is a 35 yr old confident, energetic, young, up and comer who has Shocker connections. He's the only I've seen in action and I think that he is impressive to anyone who knows him, and sees him in action. The other candidates are impressive on paper, former Shocker players who are in their mid 40's but I haven't seen how they make decisions. I'm behind Hooper but will support the one that is selected.

[ABC]

Wedge doesn't have any college recruiting experience either.

[ShockTalk]

It is unlikely you will bring in a HC with more recruiting experience than Brent has. That makes hiring a smart, hard-working, enthusiastic natural salesman like Kevin Hooper not as big a risk as some are making it out to be in terms of recruiting. If Hoop can get his foot in the door than he will be able to close as well as anyone. After 35 years Brent should have a pretty good idea of how to get his foot in the door.

Who Hoop would add as his assistant coach will be important as well. That's why Mark Standiford is attractive in that role.

OK. This has been proposed before. For discussion purposes, why pick Hooper over Standiford? Would Mark, who is around 10 years Hooper's senior, even consider working under Kevin? Both have coaching experience, but neither at the D-I level. What puts one over the other? Not placing one over the other, just want to hear what others think.

[shockmonster]

Wedge doesn't have any college recruiting experience either.

No but he has instant national buzz and credibility.

[shockmonster]

OK. This has been proposed before. For discussion purposes, why pick Hooper over Standiford? Would Mark, who is around 10 years Hooper's senior, even consider working under Kevin? Both have coaching experience, but neither at the D-I level. What puts one over the other? Not placing one over the other, just want to hear what others think.

I stated earlier that I've witnessed his leadership in action. He wreaks of leadership capabilities and salesmanship and all of his players seemingly would run through a brick wall for him. I think of his youth (when compared with our past staff who have been constantly getting older) mixed with his leadership skills as a strength to recruit kids. I haven't had the opportunity to see that from Standiford or Forbes.

[Mr. Obvious]

Surprised a coach hasn't been named yet. ADES knew before last week a change was going to be made.

[pogo]

It seems as if this thread is starting to lean towards someone who can recruit at the college level. If thats the case the asst at Arkansas seems to fit that bill. In his bio didn't he put together like 5 or 6 straight top 10 recruiting classes. Arkansas started out ranked number one and didn't do too badly this year. Barring any major flaws in character he would seem to be a viable leader for HC with Hoop as an asst coach. With BK as the pitching coach he wouldn't be able to abuse the pitching staff as one who will remain nameless has done in years past.

[WuDrWu]

Surprised a coach hasn't been named yet. ADES knew before last week a change was going to be made.

If you're surprised, you're the only one (or one of few). The season isn't over yet for potential candidates. I imagine there's at least 1 person he'd like to talk to that isn't yet available. Your comment reeks of someone that just doesn't like Eric.

Shocking, I know.

[DPruett2333]

Loren Hibbs is staying at Charlotte, per Twitter.

[boyshocker]

With you Wu, makes more sense to why BK was kept around. We could be another two weeks out.

[shox1989]

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.

WOW. I agree this would not be a good hire. I didn't have any idea that Dallas Baptist did so poorly this year in the very weak WAC conference. Dallas Baptist should be totally dominating that conference.

I hope there are some better candidates out there that we just haven't heard about yet. So far the names mentioned on here have been disappointing.