Did we really just fire Gene Stephenson?

[ABC]

Since WSU last made the CWS, only three programs equaled WSU's run of six CWS appearances in nine years: LSU, Miami and Stanford.

Here's the last of programs with at least four CWS appearances since 1997:

Arizona State 1998, 2005, 07, 09, 10
Cal State Fullerton 1999, 01, 03, 04, 06, 07, 09
Clemson 2000, 02, 06, 10
Florida 1998, 2005, 2010, 11, 12
Florida State 1998, 2000, 08, 10, 12
Georgia 2001, 04, 06, 08
Louisiana State 1997, 98, 2000, 03, 04, 08, 09
Miami (FL) 1997, 98, 99, 01, 03, 04, 06, 08
North Carolina 2006, 07, 08, 09, 11
Rice 1997, 98, 02, 03, 06, 07, 08
Southern Cal 1998, 00, 01, 02, 10
Stanford 1997, 98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 03, 08
Texas 2000, 02, 03, 05, 09, 11

[WSUwatcher]

Since WSU last made the CWS, only three programs equaled WSU's run of six CWS appearances in nine years: LSU, Miami and Stanford.

Here's the last of programs with at least four CWS appearances since 1997:

Arizona State 1998, 2005, 07, 09, 10
Cal State Fullerton 1999, 01, 03, 04, 06, 07, 09
Clemson 2000, 02, 06, 10
Florida 1998, 2005, 2010, 11, 12
Florida State 1998, 2000, 08, 10, 12
Georgia 2001, 04, 06, 08
Louisiana State 1997, 98, 2000, 03, 04, 08, 09
Miami (FL) 1997, 98, 99, 01, 03, 04, 06, 08
North Carolina 2006, 07, 08, 09, 11
Rice 1997, 98, 02, 03, 06, 07, 08
Southern Cal 1998, 00, 01, 02, 10
Stanford 1997, 98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 03, 08
Texas 2000, 02, 03, 05, 09, 11

If you look at just 1988-1993 instead of waiting three more years to be able to include WSU's last trip in 2006, you have five years out of six. That measure also knocks out LSU, and you're left with just Miami and Stanford, the king (assuming political correctness in Palo Alto doesn't preclude the use of a sexist word like king) with its run of seven straight (!) from 1997-2003. Of course, what's also kind of eye-catching about Stanford is that since the end of that remarkable streak they've only been back one other time in the last ten years. It happens to the best of them.

[Spaulding]

Silly quote from Pelfrey. I'll chalk it up to emotion.

On the impact of Wichita State’s Final Four trip in men’s basketball: “It’s the same AD (Eric Sexton), but a new president. I think finances are playing into it. I think they have to pay (basketball coach Gregg Marshall), so they have to take it out of somewhere. I think Gene’s the fall guy for that, which is terrible.”

http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2013/06/05/the-full-pelfrey/

[WSUwatcher]

Yes, Mike seems especially frustrated. I wonder if he feels any better now given the news about Kemnitz?

Too bad he didn't find out sooner -- he could have called Sexton and offered to pick up the cost of Gene's salary himself. He can afford it.

[Cdizzle]

Since WSU last made the CWS, only three programs equaled WSU's run of six CWS appearances in nine years: LSU, Miami and Stanford.

Here's the last of programs with at least four CWS appearances since 1997:

Arizona State 1998, 2005, 07, 09, 10
Cal State Fullerton 1999, 01, 03, 04, 06, 07, 09
Clemson 2000, 02, 06, 10
Florida 1998, 2005, 2010, 11, 12
Florida State 1998, 2000, 08, 10, 12
Georgia 2001, 04, 06, 08
Louisiana State 1997, 98, 2000, 03, 04, 08, 09
Miami (FL) 1997, 98, 99, 01, 03, 04, 06, 08
North Carolina 2006, 07, 08, 09, 11
Rice 1997, 98, 02, 03, 06, 07, 08
Southern Cal 1998, 00, 01, 02, 10
Stanford 1997, 98, 99, 00, 01, 02, 03, 08
Texas 2000, 02, 03, 05, 09, 11

South (plus rampant cheating)
West Coast
South
South
South
South
South
South
South
South
West Coast
West Coast
South

Geography has been, and always will be, an important factor in college baseball. It isn't an excuse. It is reality. It is part of what made Gene's and the program's success so incredibly remarkable.

I think once a decade would be phenomenal, ambitious, and realistic.

[WuDrWu]

I would say 2 but sure would be happy with 1 and at least 8 of 10 regionals....9 would be better. 1 or 2 hosts. 2 visits is 2 full redshirt recruiting classes.

[Ricardo del Rio]

Silly quote from Pelfrey. I'll chalk it up to emotion.

On the impact of Wichita State’s Final Four trip in men’s basketball: “It’s the same AD (Eric Sexton), but a new president. I think finances are playing into it. I think they have to pay (basketball coach Gregg Marshall), so they have to take it out of somewhere. I think Gene’s the fall guy for that, which is terrible.”

http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/20...-full-pelfrey/

More money for Coach Marshall, therefore less money for Coach Stephenson.

Have I interpreted Pelfrey's comment correctly?

[ABC]

Would Pelfrey signed at WSU if the previous five years were the same?

[Spaulding]

More money for Coach Marshall, therefore less money for Coach Stephenson.

Have I interpreted Pelfrey's comment correctly?

That is correct. Makes zero logic to me.

[ABC]

South (plus rampant cheating)
West Coast
South
South
South
South
South
South
South
South
West Coast
West Coast
South

Geography has been, and always will be, an important factor in college baseball. It isn't an excuse. It is reality. It is part of what made Gene's and the program's success so incredibly remarkable.

I think once a decade would be phenomenal, ambitious, and realistic.

That's mostly my point. The expectations for Gene or the new coach were and are not to have a run like that.

[ABC]

I thought Denny Crum last five years are a good comparison:

(all in Conference USA)

1996–1997 Louisville 26–9, 9–5 T–5th NCAA Elite 8
1997–1998 Louisville 12–20, 9–5 5th No NCAA
1998–1999 Louisville 19–11, 11–5 2nd NCAA 1st Round
1999–2000 Louisville 19–12, 10–6 2nd NCAA 1st Round
2000–2001 Louisville 12–19, 8–8 5th No NCAA

[pinstripers]

Regarding this entire discussion related to how Gene was treated my thoughts (not that anyone particularly cares) are this:

Even if I were to agree with Gene and his crowd that he is owed another year of mediocrity out of loyalty, and I don't believe this to be the case, I would say "The irony of ironies is that Gene actually received more loyalty from Wichita State and Eric Sexton than Gene showed his own wife and family over a much greater period of time". Onward and upward!

Go Shocks!

wow

[boyshocker]

wow

Gene's characteristics that built this program also tore it down. The moral issues were an embarrassment to the school. Sure some former players will quit supporting, but there are some players who will come back now...and they used to give some big numbers. This was not something that ADES just thought up this spring, we first heard about it over 10 months ago. I have no proof but I believe Gene was given the chance to make some changes and refused to agree to them. I will be there opening day next spring and bet there will be a buzz we haven't seen in years.

[William]

We had one of the best coaches in the country that wanted to continue to coach our team and our fanbase and a.d. ran him off, Do you guys think Gene doesn't try as hard as he used to? Do you think 10 years ago he started teaching our kids to hit crosshanded?..... No he isn't wired that way, he is the same fightin' back alley brawlin' tough s.o.b. he has
always been and you spoiled knuckleheads couldn't come to grips with the fact that the current situation is a little bit beyond a coaches control. Take your pick of any coach in the world and the results are not going to change that much, in fact make a bad hire and really watch us go off the cliff for good. You guys didn't deserve Gene, I'm out.

[Spaulding]

We had one of the best coaches in the country that wanted to continue to coach our team and our fanbase and a.d. ran him off, Do you guys think Gene doesn't try as hard as he used to? Do you think 10 years ago he started teaching our kids to hit crosshanded?..... No he isn't wired that way, he is the same fightin' back alley brawlin' tough s.o.b. he has
always been and you spoiled knuckleheads couldn't come to grips with the fact that the current situation is a little bit beyond a coaches control. Take your pick of any coach in the world and the results are not going to change that much, in fact make a bad hire and really watch us go off the cliff for good. You guys didn't deserve Gene, I'm out.

Thanks for your input Mr. Pelfrey. I wish you luck against the royals Thursday.