Kevin Hooper joins Shocker staff

[SHOCKvalue]

Even so. He is still competing above the level of his peers at that level.

I don't disagree that Standiford has all appearances of looking like a very legit coach, but Tabor is NAIA, and NAIA is roughly equivalent to high level high school sports. The chasm between NAIA and D1 is about like the chasm between D1 and MLB. I'd just feel better mentioning him in the same breath as the other popular names people throw out if he had some higher level experience. A coaching jump from D2 to D1 is considered fairly substantial, and a risky hire. What is it when you go from glorified high school sports to upper echelon D1 college baseball?

[1972Shocker]

Hooper now lives in Valley Center with his wife Lindsey and their two daughters Lucy and Laney.

I wonder if having two daughters played any role in Hoop taking this on. It is very interesting. The best softball coach in Shocker history IMHO was Tim Walton who had a baseball background. I have no doubt that Hoop will bring great value to the Shocker softball program. Hoop is simply a winner along the lines of a Fred Winner and Ron Baker.

[shoxlax]

I wonder if having two daughters played any role in Hoop taking this on. It is very interesting. The best softball coach in Shocker history IMHO was Tim Walton who had a baseball background. I have no doubt that Hoop will bring great value to the Shocker softball program. Hoop is simply a winner along the lines of a Fred Winner and Ron Baker.

You beat me to it about Walton, another winner wherever he went

[SB Shock]

Well, this can't hurt Hooper if plan A doesn't work out for shocker baseball. He is starting to add to his resume that should help him should a opening occur in say the next year o rtwo.

[WuDrWu]

I wonder if having two daughters played any role in Hoop taking this on. It is very interesting. The best softball coach in Shocker history IMHO was Tim Walton who had a baseball background. I have no doubt that Hoop will bring great value to the Shocker softball program. Hoop is simply a winner along the lines of a Fred Winner and Ron Baker.

Wonder no more my friend. Those 2 girls are exactly why he's doing this. They play softball and he wants to get more involved.

A man will do almost anything for his daughters.

[1972Shocker]

.

Former WSU baseball star Kevin Hooper, manager of the Wichita Wingnuts, is a volunteer assistant for Bredbenner. He will spend most of his time instructing infielders to pass on his expertise after a college and pro career at second base and shortstop.
“I’m just giving him the reins,” Bredbenner said. “The transition, in my opinion, from baseball to softball, when it comes to philosophies on the infield, is very similar. The bottom line is, you’re still going to field the same way.”

While the 0Wingnuts are playing, infielders practice in small groups early in the afternoon to give Hooper time to coach before his duties at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium. He will join the staff on a regular basis when the Wingnuts season ends in mid-to-late September. In the spring, he will devote his time to the Shockers, traveling to all games, until early May.

“He brings a Shocker tradition that this team needs to start focusing on and building,” Bredbenner said. “His way of teaching and communicating is just going to be tremendous.”

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/sports/college...#storylink=cpy

[RoyalShock]

Just heard Kennedy say during the VB broadcast that Doug Mirabelli is joining Tim Walton's staff at Florida.

[ShockBand]

Mirabelli has a two daughters in addition to one son. Makes me wonder if his girls are also softball players.

One of my favorite parts of Jim Audley's "The Throw" is Mirabelli acting like there is no throw coming in until the last moment.

[WSUwatcher]

Mirabelli has a two daughters in addition to one son. Makes me wonder if his girls are also softball players.

One of my favorite parts of Jim Audley's "The Throw" is Mirabelli acting like there is no throw coming in until the last moment.

Off topic, thanks to Royal's clever and skillful diversion, but it was a great, great deke by Mirabelli, and it's tough to complain much about seeing that play again. And again, and again, and again -- it's like a baseball counterpart to Zach Brown picking Oubre clean.

[rrshock]

Off topic, thanks to Royal's clever and skillful diversion, but it was a great, great deke by Mirabelli, and it's tough to complain much about seeing that play again. And again, and again, and again -- it's like a baseball counterpart to Zach Brown picking Oubre clean.

Agreed. Still one of the best moments i had as a kid watching shocker games.

[shockmonster]

Isn't Hoop helping with one of the area Travel teams? Will that have any affect on recruiting?

[shockmonster]

No one knows his involvement?

[luvthoseshox]

I've always wondered how the travel ball coach works with the NCAA rules. It's a good question.