6/7. Well I do apologize for not having Tony Vatillio on the list, Currie kept this super quiet. I have enjoyed the dialogue about possible candidates that we have had on this thread. Let's get behind the hire and get the baseball program rolling!
6/6 update..Brent just reported Chad Holbrook resigned.. I mentioned a couple times previously that could change things on my 6/2 update.. Tennessee met with Holbrook in Hoover like I stated in my 5/30 update.. Look for Eric Bakich to be the next head coach st South Carolina... some will try and say Mark Calvi and some Carolina boosters will want him but Ray and Calvi don't get along very well unless that relationship has been repaired I don't see Calvi being USCe next coach. And my opinion is that a Holbrook hire doesn't excite me very much.
6/6 update. There is a meeting taking place today within UTAD discussing the baseball coaching situation, I do not know if that is an interview with Ash Lawson or a meeting approaching a decision. I had originally said I had heard tomorrow could be the day of an announcement but that could be delayed depending on the meeting today. Ash Lawson, John Szefc, Randy Mazey, Tom Walter, Matt Riser ... anyone other than those 5 I would be shocked..
6/5 update .. interesting post from @Brent_Hubbs this am about Currie being somewhere with Baseball Sat night.. have to wonder if that coincides with what I had heard about someone from UTAD being at the Wake Forest regional this weekend with Mazey, Walter, and Szefc being there. Still hearing Ash Lawson is a strong possibility.
And am hoping that Riser and Calvi are still in the mix.
6/3 update.. @Vol fan Ford man John Manual of Baseball America has reported that he thinks Tennessee is targeting Tom Walter of Wake Forest.. which could be interesting if what I heard about someone from Tennessee possibly being in Winston Salem this weekend with Walter, Szefc and Mazey all in that regional.
6/3 update.. Ash Lawson is not only a legit candidate for the job but is one of the finalist.. now there are others of course.. but I can confirm that one of the finalist is Ash Lawson.
Here is who I hope is the other finalist
6/2 update continued.. as I have mentioned before several things could also hinge on what South Carolina decides to do with Holbrook. Which makes it interesting that Tanner hasn't came out and publicly said he will be back yet.. if there is a change there I think that could be Eric Bakich landing spot that is my opinion. This may not interfere with The Tennessee search but some if any of the candidates are the same could slow play Tennessee to see what Tanner is going to do with Holbrook I don't think that will be the case but it might be.
Also some have mentioned Bragga I haven't heard his name as much as I have others it doesn't mean he isn't a candidate. I had mentioned in my first post that he was someone you could hear about.. there are a lot of Bragga people that like him and a lot that don't. He played at Kentucky didn't get that job, his wife is from Bama and that job has been open twice in 2 years and didn't get hired there.. now does that mean he wanted those jobs? Not necessarily you would have to think he did want them if he wants to be in the SEC.
6/2 Update.. look for next Wednesday to be the hire date for a new baseball coach, now some things could play into that as far as a coach who maybe hired playing in the super regional, one of the two sides backing out last minute.. but by Thursday at the latest Tennessee will name a baseball coach but keep an eye out Wednesday.
A member of the Tennessee AD is supposedly in North Carolina this weekend to have a conversation with Randy Mazey or his people and likely Szefc the head coach at Maryland as well. West Virginia beat Maryland today in the Winston Salem regional.
As far as Chris Burke he has evidently contacted possible assistants that would be on his staff if he were hired. Now submitting a list of a possible staff is the norm in the interview process. With that being said by doing that he feels like he is a legitimate candidate or has been given the impression from UT that he is.
I also wouldn't rule out another name that hasn't been mentioned anywhere to be in play.
So as of today from what I gather the list would be (not counting a possible mystery candidate)
Riser
Mazey
Burke
Bakich
Mark Calvi
Ash Lawson
John Szefc
In my opinion think the top 3 names listed above would be great hires. Especially the top 2 listed. Like I have mentioned before the thought of Riser coming and bringing Chad Calliet from Southern Miss is very exciting.. I think Chad is as good of a recruiter anywhere in the country. Matter of fact about 4 years ago a former SEC baseball coach whom I am very close with was thinking about getting back into it at another SEC school and ask me who is the one guy out there he should get to be on his staff and I said Chad Calliet. The coach backed out of the job but Calliet was on his list to take with him. Calliet also told me 3 years ago that the class they just signed will do big things at Southern Miss in the next 3-4 years and he was exactly right on that. Now, does Riser have a chance or is he a finalist? I can't say for sure.. I do know he or his representative and Tennessee have talked but do not know how far those talks have gotten.
5/31. Update. ..One more name worth mentioning is Randy Mazey the head coach at West Virginia who spent time with Tennessee as an assistant from 99-2002. He has done a remarkable job at West Virginia.. I haven't heard if there has been any conversations like I have with some of others I have mentioned but he would be a GREAT hire. It would be my guess that he might be someone worth remembering.
According to a poster on here he has heard there is another name mentioned to possibly be in the final 2 that hasn't been mentioned on here yet but sounds like it would be a Home Run hire. Also according to skippers dugout who keeps a thumb on the pulse of what is going on in Baseball tweeted earlier that the Stanford and Tennessee jobs are the big ones and will start the domino effect. And mentioned they have heard some big names as well With interest in both openings. If I hear of any more names I will update the Hot Board here. Also Holbrook at South Carolina has not had his meeting with Ray Tanner yet due to ADs being in Florida for meetings. That conversation should take place in the next couple of days and of course if that Job opens up before a hire is made at Tennessee it could shake some things up.
Names that have been talked to or with about the job
Riser Southeastern
Bohannan Asst Auburn- accepted Head job at Alabama so he is no longer a candidate
Holbrook South Carolina
Names if I believe will be or could've already spoken to Tennessee thru their agents
John Szefc Maryland
Randy Mazey West Virginia
Ash Lawson
Erik Bakich Michigan
Mitch Gaspard former Bama coach who is an assistant at Kansas State (not a fan of this)
Mark Calvi South Alabama.
Again, there maybe other name(s) as well if I hear anything I will share..
5/30 update... Bohannan and Chad Holbrook were talked to about the job sometime last week in Hoover. The only head coach that is still playing I think Currie is really waiting to talk to in depth is John Szefc the Head Coach at Maryland who was an assistant at Kansas State, there could be more but I think Szefc is the top HC he still wants to talk to that he hasn't had a chance to at length yet.
Ash Lawson does have a legitimate chance at the job and some are pushing for him.
I don't know this but I am gathering that Chris Burke is maybe on the list but he isn't or near the top If I had to guess with what I have heard from people.
Alabama has a strong interest in Bohannan, Risner, and watch for LSU pitching coach Alan Dunn there too. I had mentioned him as someone Tennessee should look into.
It appears Tennessee and Alabama are interested in Bohannan and Risner, as well they should be.
5/29 update.. on the facilities a 15-20 million dollar upgrade to LNS is in the works look for it to be announced after the coach is named. The upgrade will include luxury boxes along 3rd baseline and seating will go from foul pole to foul pole with other upgrades as well. This is Currie also making a statement to the new coach that he is serious about having a winning program. This is a step in the right direction.
Coaching wise Matt Risner from Southeastern Louisiana has been spoken too about the job possibly interviewed last week, Alan Cockrell has shown interest, the SEC west coach I had mentioned previously is no longer in play from what I am hearing. I think after this next weekend you will see the pace to hire a coach speed up considerably.
Other than that names have been kept pretty quiet. I do expect Bohannan and Mark Calvi to have conversations in the near future if they haven't already.
5/19 update another name that might be considered is John Szefc the head coach at Maryland. http://www.umterps.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=29700&ATCLID=207326921
6/6 update..Brent just reported Chad Holbrook resigned.. I mentioned a couple times previously that could change things on my 6/2 update.. Tennessee met with Holbrook in Hoover like I stated in my 5/30 update.. Look for Eric Bakich to be the next head coach st South Carolina... some will try and say Mark Calvi and some Carolina boosters will want him but Ray and Calvi don't get along very well unless that relationship has been repaired I don't see Calvi being USCe next coach. And my opinion is that a Holbrook hire doesn't excite me very much.
6/6 update. There is a meeting taking place today within UTAD discussing the baseball coaching situation, I do not know if that is an interview with Ash Lawson or a meeting approaching a decision. I had originally said I had heard tomorrow could be the day of an announcement but that could be delayed depending on the meeting today. Ash Lawson, John Szefc, Randy Mazey, Tom Walter, Matt Riser ... anyone other than those 5 I would be shocked..
6/5 update .. interesting post from @Brent_Hubbs this am about Currie being somewhere with Baseball Sat night.. have to wonder if that coincides with what I had heard about someone from UTAD being at the Wake Forest regional this weekend with Mazey, Walter, and Szefc being there. Still hearing Ash Lawson is a strong possibility.
And am hoping that Riser and Calvi are still in the mix.
6/3 update.. @Vol fan Ford man John Manual of Baseball America has reported that he thinks Tennessee is targeting Tom Walter of Wake Forest.. which could be interesting if what I heard about someone from Tennessee possibly being in Winston Salem this weekend with Walter, Szefc and Mazey all in that regional.
6/3 update.. Ash Lawson is not only a legit candidate for the job but is one of the finalist.. now there are others of course.. but I can confirm that one of the finalist is Ash Lawson.
Here is who I hope is the other finalist
6/2 update continued.. as I have mentioned before several things could also hinge on what South Carolina decides to do with Holbrook. Which makes it interesting that Tanner hasn't came out and publicly said he will be back yet.. if there is a change there I think that could be Eric Bakich landing spot that is my opinion. This may not interfere with The Tennessee search but some if any of the candidates are the same could slow play Tennessee to see what Tanner is going to do with Holbrook I don't think that will be the case but it might be.
Also some have mentioned Bragga I haven't heard his name as much as I have others it doesn't mean he isn't a candidate. I had mentioned in my first post that he was someone you could hear about.. there are a lot of Bragga people that like him and a lot that don't. He played at Kentucky didn't get that job, his wife is from Bama and that job has been open twice in 2 years and didn't get hired there.. now does that mean he wanted those jobs? Not necessarily you would have to think he did want them if he wants to be in the SEC.
6/2 Update.. look for next Wednesday to be the hire date for a new baseball coach, now some things could play into that as far as a coach who maybe hired playing in the super regional, one of the two sides backing out last minute.. but by Thursday at the latest Tennessee will name a baseball coach but keep an eye out Wednesday.
A member of the Tennessee AD is supposedly in North Carolina this weekend to have a conversation with Randy Mazey or his people and likely Szefc the head coach at Maryland as well. West Virginia beat Maryland today in the Winston Salem regional.
As far as Chris Burke he has evidently contacted possible assistants that would be on his staff if he were hired. Now submitting a list of a possible staff is the norm in the interview process. With that being said by doing that he feels like he is a legitimate candidate or has been given the impression from UT that he is.
I also wouldn't rule out another name that hasn't been mentioned anywhere to be in play.
So as of today from what I gather the list would be (not counting a possible mystery candidate)
Riser
Mazey
Burke
Bakich
Mark Calvi
Ash Lawson
John Szefc
In my opinion think the top 3 names listed above would be great hires. Especially the top 2 listed. Like I have mentioned before the thought of Riser coming and bringing Chad Calliet from Southern Miss is very exciting.. I think Chad is as good of a recruiter anywhere in the country. Matter of fact about 4 years ago a former SEC baseball coach whom I am very close with was thinking about getting back into it at another SEC school and ask me who is the one guy out there he should get to be on his staff and I said Chad Calliet. The coach backed out of the job but Calliet was on his list to take with him. Calliet also told me 3 years ago that the class they just signed will do big things at Southern Miss in the next 3-4 years and he was exactly right on that. Now, does Riser have a chance or is he a finalist? I can't say for sure.. I do know he or his representative and Tennessee have talked but do not know how far those talks have gotten.
5/31. Update. ..One more name worth mentioning is Randy Mazey the head coach at West Virginia who spent time with Tennessee as an assistant from 99-2002. He has done a remarkable job at West Virginia.. I haven't heard if there has been any conversations like I have with some of others I have mentioned but he would be a GREAT hire. It would be my guess that he might be someone worth remembering.
According to a poster on here he has heard there is another name mentioned to possibly be in the final 2 that hasn't been mentioned on here yet but sounds like it would be a Home Run hire. Also according to skippers dugout who keeps a thumb on the pulse of what is going on in Baseball tweeted earlier that the Stanford and Tennessee jobs are the big ones and will start the domino effect. And mentioned they have heard some big names as well With interest in both openings. If I hear of any more names I will update the Hot Board here. Also Holbrook at South Carolina has not had his meeting with Ray Tanner yet due to ADs being in Florida for meetings. That conversation should take place in the next couple of days and of course if that Job opens up before a hire is made at Tennessee it could shake some things up.
Names that have been talked to or with about the job
Riser Southeastern
Bohannan Asst Auburn- accepted Head job at Alabama so he is no longer a candidate
Holbrook South Carolina
Names if I believe will be or could've already spoken to Tennessee thru their agents
John Szefc Maryland
Randy Mazey West Virginia
Ash Lawson
Erik Bakich Michigan
Mitch Gaspard former Bama coach who is an assistant at Kansas State (not a fan of this)
Mark Calvi South Alabama.
Again, there maybe other name(s) as well if I hear anything I will share..
5/30 update... Bohannan and Chad Holbrook were talked to about the job sometime last week in Hoover. The only head coach that is still playing I think Currie is really waiting to talk to in depth is John Szefc the Head Coach at Maryland who was an assistant at Kansas State, there could be more but I think Szefc is the top HC he still wants to talk to that he hasn't had a chance to at length yet.
Ash Lawson does have a legitimate chance at the job and some are pushing for him.
I don't know this but I am gathering that Chris Burke is maybe on the list but he isn't or near the top If I had to guess with what I have heard from people.
Alabama has a strong interest in Bohannan, Risner, and watch for LSU pitching coach Alan Dunn there too. I had mentioned him as someone Tennessee should look into.
It appears Tennessee and Alabama are interested in Bohannan and Risner, as well they should be.
5/29 update.. on the facilities a 15-20 million dollar upgrade to LNS is in the works look for it to be announced after the coach is named. The upgrade will include luxury boxes along 3rd baseline and seating will go from foul pole to foul pole with other upgrades as well. This is Currie also making a statement to the new coach that he is serious about having a winning program. This is a step in the right direction.
Coaching wise Matt Risner from Southeastern Louisiana has been spoken too about the job possibly interviewed last week, Alan Cockrell has shown interest, the SEC west coach I had mentioned previously is no longer in play from what I am hearing. I think after this next weekend you will see the pace to hire a coach speed up considerably.
Other than that names have been kept pretty quiet. I do expect Bohannan and Mark Calvi to have conversations in the near future if they haven't already.
5/19 update another name that might be considered is John Szefc the head coach at Maryland. http://www.umterps.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=29700&ATCLID=207326921
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