Ash Lawson: New York Mets
Bio: Lawson is a former hitting coach and recruiting coordinator under Todd Raleigh. He was the head coach of Tennessee Wesleyan for five seasons, where he set school records for wins from 2002-2004. Lawson left to be a scout for the San Diego Padres in 2004, and was named the Padres’ Scout of the Year in 2006.
Lawson was at Tennessee from 2010-11 before leaving to be an advanced scout for the New York Mets, where he remains now.
Pros: Lawson went on record saying that the only job he would leave the MLB for would be the University of Tennessee. He scouted the Southeast during his time with the Padres, and would have significant recruiting ties to the region. He is a Tennessee native, and would fit the “Tennessee guy” mold.
Cons: There weren’t many positives around the Todd Raleigh era at Tennessee. Simply having your name on that tenure is not a great look. But on the flip side, Lawson got out quickly. He was by no means a major factor in Tennessee’s downfall under Raleigh, and has the experience necessary to still have allegiance to Tennessee.
Chris Burke: ESPN
Bio: Another “Tennessee guy.” Burke was a dominant player for UT from 1998-2001, hitting 20 home runs in his senior season. Burke was selected with the tenth overall pick in the 2001 MLB draft by the Houston Astros organization, where he played until 2007, before retiring in 2009. During his time in the majors, Burke played every position on the field besides pitcher and catcher.
Burke works as an analyst for ESPN, and also manages the Chris Burke Baseball Academy. Burke was interviewed for the Tennessee job in 2011, but Serrano was hired instead.
Pros: Burke’s name has been thrown around for the UT head coaching job for years. He has the experience at the Major League level, and has spend the past six years around the game with ESPN. He has experience in coaching through his academy, and has the name recognition that would be vital in recruiting. It’s no secret Burke is interested in the job, and would relish the opportunity to come back to his alma mater as the head coach.
Cons: Burke has never been a manager at the college level. Yes he has the playing experience in the MLB, but aside from his playing days at UT, he doesn’t have tons of college experience.
Kevin McMullan: Virginia
Bio: Kevin McMullan has served as the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at Virginia for the past 14 seasons. The past ten seasons, McMullan has been the associate head coach for the Cavaliers. McMullan is one of the top assistants in the game, having coached the likes of major leaguers Ryan Zimmerman and Mark Reynolds. McMullan has also spent time working with the Atlanta Braves before joining the UVA staff.
Pros: McMullan might be ready for a promotion to a head coaching role. He was the National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2009 when the Cavaliers reached the College World Series. McMullan was also a member of UVA’s 2015 National Championship coaching staff. He knows the Southeast, and would be able to recruit the region well.
Cons: There’s no real tie to Tennessee here. Other than the Vols’ tradition and solid core of young pitchers, is there really enough to lure one of the nation’s top assistants from a pretty good situation at Virginia? It’s tough to tell. This hire is a long shot, but would be an excellent move if UT could lure him from Virginia.
Larry Simcox: Tennessee Assistant Coach
Bio: If UT wants to stay in house, Simcox is the man for the job. He was a part of the Vols’ success from 1991-2007, coaching the likes of Todd Helton, Chris Burke and Chase Headley. He was a part of two SEC Championship teams and three College World Series runs as Rod Delmonico’s hitting coach. Simcox was hired by Dave Serrano to be the Vols’ hitting instructor last season.
Pros: Simcox knows the state of Tennessee, and the University of Tennessee as well as anybody. He has coached and recruited in the state for nearly 30 years, seeing numerous players to the Majors.
Cons: Simcox hasn’t been a head coach at the college level. Additionally, his association with the Serrano era raises some red flags. I don’t foresee John Currie staying in house with this hire. Given the state of the program, a major overhaul might be in order.
Other Names to Watch For:
Todd Helton: The UT slugger had a long, successful career at both the college and professional levels. Helton was hired as the director of player development this past season by Serrano. Upon his hiring back in January, Helton said he wanted to “give back” to the Vols’ program in any way he could. Helton has the potential to be a manager down the road, but it might be a little early given his lack of experience in coaching.
Travis Jewett (Tulane): Jewett was the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at Vanderbilt for four seasons before taking over the head coaching job at Tulane this past season. Jewett knows Tennessee, and would have significant ties to the area in recruiting. At the same time, he’s only been at Tulane for one season. The timing probably isn’t right for Jewett to jet off from Tulane after a year, but it’s worth a call to find out.
Alan Dunn (LSU): Dunn was named the 2015 National Pitching Coach of the Year by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. He’s spent the past eight seasons as the Tigers’ pitching coach. Dunn is another guy with SEC experience who could be looking for a move up to a head coaching position.
Matt Bragga (Tennessee Tech): As the head coach at Tennessee Tech, Bragga has won three OVC championships in the past eight seasons. Bragga was named the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2013. His 2014 team, which tied a school record win total with 40, led the NCAA in runs per game (8.3). Bragga has had a player drafted every year for the past nine seasons, including six players from his 2014 squad.
Bio: Lawson is a former hitting coach and recruiting coordinator under Todd Raleigh. He was the head coach of Tennessee Wesleyan for five seasons, where he set school records for wins from 2002-2004. Lawson left to be a scout for the San Diego Padres in 2004, and was named the Padres’ Scout of the Year in 2006.
Lawson was at Tennessee from 2010-11 before leaving to be an advanced scout for the New York Mets, where he remains now.
Pros: Lawson went on record saying that the only job he would leave the MLB for would be the University of Tennessee. He scouted the Southeast during his time with the Padres, and would have significant recruiting ties to the region. He is a Tennessee native, and would fit the “Tennessee guy” mold.
Cons: There weren’t many positives around the Todd Raleigh era at Tennessee. Simply having your name on that tenure is not a great look. But on the flip side, Lawson got out quickly. He was by no means a major factor in Tennessee’s downfall under Raleigh, and has the experience necessary to still have allegiance to Tennessee.
Chris Burke: ESPN
Bio: Another “Tennessee guy.” Burke was a dominant player for UT from 1998-2001, hitting 20 home runs in his senior season. Burke was selected with the tenth overall pick in the 2001 MLB draft by the Houston Astros organization, where he played until 2007, before retiring in 2009. During his time in the majors, Burke played every position on the field besides pitcher and catcher.
Burke works as an analyst for ESPN, and also manages the Chris Burke Baseball Academy. Burke was interviewed for the Tennessee job in 2011, but Serrano was hired instead.
Pros: Burke’s name has been thrown around for the UT head coaching job for years. He has the experience at the Major League level, and has spend the past six years around the game with ESPN. He has experience in coaching through his academy, and has the name recognition that would be vital in recruiting. It’s no secret Burke is interested in the job, and would relish the opportunity to come back to his alma mater as the head coach.
Cons: Burke has never been a manager at the college level. Yes he has the playing experience in the MLB, but aside from his playing days at UT, he doesn’t have tons of college experience.
Kevin McMullan: Virginia
Bio: Kevin McMullan has served as the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at Virginia for the past 14 seasons. The past ten seasons, McMullan has been the associate head coach for the Cavaliers. McMullan is one of the top assistants in the game, having coached the likes of major leaguers Ryan Zimmerman and Mark Reynolds. McMullan has also spent time working with the Atlanta Braves before joining the UVA staff.
Pros: McMullan might be ready for a promotion to a head coaching role. He was the National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2009 when the Cavaliers reached the College World Series. McMullan was also a member of UVA’s 2015 National Championship coaching staff. He knows the Southeast, and would be able to recruit the region well.
Cons: There’s no real tie to Tennessee here. Other than the Vols’ tradition and solid core of young pitchers, is there really enough to lure one of the nation’s top assistants from a pretty good situation at Virginia? It’s tough to tell. This hire is a long shot, but would be an excellent move if UT could lure him from Virginia.
Larry Simcox: Tennessee Assistant Coach
Bio: If UT wants to stay in house, Simcox is the man for the job. He was a part of the Vols’ success from 1991-2007, coaching the likes of Todd Helton, Chris Burke and Chase Headley. He was a part of two SEC Championship teams and three College World Series runs as Rod Delmonico’s hitting coach. Simcox was hired by Dave Serrano to be the Vols’ hitting instructor last season.
Pros: Simcox knows the state of Tennessee, and the University of Tennessee as well as anybody. He has coached and recruited in the state for nearly 30 years, seeing numerous players to the Majors.
Cons: Simcox hasn’t been a head coach at the college level. Additionally, his association with the Serrano era raises some red flags. I don’t foresee John Currie staying in house with this hire. Given the state of the program, a major overhaul might be in order.
Other Names to Watch For:
Todd Helton: The UT slugger had a long, successful career at both the college and professional levels. Helton was hired as the director of player development this past season by Serrano. Upon his hiring back in January, Helton said he wanted to “give back” to the Vols’ program in any way he could. Helton has the potential to be a manager down the road, but it might be a little early given his lack of experience in coaching.
Travis Jewett (Tulane): Jewett was the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at Vanderbilt for four seasons before taking over the head coaching job at Tulane this past season. Jewett knows Tennessee, and would have significant ties to the area in recruiting. At the same time, he’s only been at Tulane for one season. The timing probably isn’t right for Jewett to jet off from Tulane after a year, but it’s worth a call to find out.
Alan Dunn (LSU): Dunn was named the 2015 National Pitching Coach of the Year by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. He’s spent the past eight seasons as the Tigers’ pitching coach. Dunn is another guy with SEC experience who could be looking for a move up to a head coaching position.
Matt Bragga (Tennessee Tech): As the head coach at Tennessee Tech, Bragga has won three OVC championships in the past eight seasons. Bragga was named the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2013. His 2014 team, which tied a school record win total with 40, led the NCAA in runs per game (8.3). Bragga has had a player drafted every year for the past nine seasons, including six players from his 2014 squad.
