New Head Baseball Coach @ UNCA

[uncafan]

Expect Tommy Smith to be named the next head baseball coach @ UNCA.... No official word yet but I have been told that Mike McGuire was contacted early this morning and that he was told that the athletic department has decided to go in another direction...

[GoUNCA]

Golden Opportunity missed.

[bball25]

Heard they were unwilling to make a financial commitment to the program.

[LionsBB]

OMG. If this is true, what a cowardly decision by the athletic department. This is the young, ambitious coach who's going to lead the baseball team to winning seasons?? Uh, what has he done in the last 2 years? You mean to tell me he's all of a sudden going to do something because he's head coach? Sounds like there was a big snake in the grass just waiting to bite. I guess the other candidates were over-qualified for the position - no extensive high school experience. I hope UNCA baseball fans are ready for more losing seasons...

[GoUNCA]

OMG. If this is true, what a cowardly decision by the athletic department. This is the young, ambitious coach who's going to lead the baseball team to winning seasons?? Uh, what has he done in the last 2 years? You mean to tell me he's all of a sudden going to do something because he's head coach? Sounds like there was a big snake in the grass just waiting to bite. I guess the other candidates were over-qualified for the position - no extensive high school experience. I hope UNCA baseball fans are ready for more losing seasons...

Because this is your first post, I have to say that given the circumstances I can't tell if you are upset we didn't hire Filipek or if we didn't take the Mars Hill coach. They are both Lions. Either way it seems weird you would have wanted your coach taken instead.

Not that I like this hire more, out of those other than McGuire, I wanted Filipek. Sure it would be a hire with a big downside, but if he turns out to be good he is an alum and thus connected to the school.

[uncafan]

OMG. If this is true, what a cowardly decision by the athletic department. This is the young, ambitious coach who's going to lead the baseball team to winning seasons?? Uh, what has he done in the last 2 years? You mean to tell me he's all of a sudden going to do something because he's head coach? Sounds like there was a big snake in the grass just waiting to bite. I guess the other candidates were over-qualified for the position - no extensive high school experience. I hope UNCA baseball fans are ready for more losing seasons...

Because this is your first post, I have to say that given the circumstances I can't tell if you are upset we didn't hire Filipek or if we didn't take the Mars Hill coach. They are both Lions. Either way it seems weird you would have wanted your coach taken instead.

Not that I like this hire more, out of those other than McGuire, I wanted Filipek. Sure it would be a hire with a big downside, but if he turns out to be good he is an alum and thus connected to the school.

No official word whether it is smith or not -- not sure WHY since initial reports where we would have a hire by tomorrow -- and I've been told that at least certain members of the athletic department are going on vacation for a week as of tomorrow.

LionsBB? maybe a current player? I don't know...i do know the line about over-qualified due to no extensive high school experience was pretty hilarious.... That does seem to be the major qualification for getting an interview for this job.

[bball25]

This is a shame. What a joke. Why did we even interview McGuire if we weren't willing to commit to it financially? Probably wasted his time. You have to figure he would demand some committment. Hard to understand. Why even let Willie go? At least he was an alum. Smells like a rat. Like somebody has been working from the inside. Wonder if Smith threw Willie & Tim under the bus.

[WhatAJoke]

This is a shame. What a joke.

Did I hear correctly...... What A Joke ???????? and I agree it's a shame.

[kingaling42]

Willie thrown under the bus?? Well... don't get me started there...

If Smith is hired, I know I won't be seeing Greenwood anytime soon, I feel he was part of the same problems that these last couple of teams have had & besides if you as an assistant can't keep kids locked into the season except for the big games that we had some decent showings in.. then you probably aren't going to keep the kids in as the head coach either- well unless you weren't really trying to help out your head coach & do your job as an assistant that is .. Financial committment into athletics & Janet Cone don't even go together in the same sentence, the current state of financial affairs are just a cop out.. No one is getting any committment of $$$ anytime soon, which is why I think all the talk about expectations is naive at best.. Willie wasn't thrown completely under the bus, he put himself into the situations, but he wasn't pulled out of the way by anyone else either, including the golden boy Tommy Smith...

[uncafan]

This is a shame. What a joke. Why did we even interview McGuire if we weren't willing to commit to it financially? Probably wasted his time. You have to figure he would demand some committment. Hard to understand. Why even let Willie go? At least he was an alum. Smells like a rat. Like somebody has been working from the inside. Wonder if Smith threw Willie & Tim under the bus.

Regardless as to whether you think Smith can make an impact -- and I think he can from the fundraising side... But as a coach? He's a high school coach....and his style of instruction is the classic high school coach 'cookie cutter' --- you take every player, every size, every ability....and you teach them all the same mechanics, things etc. It works for some, not for others....But your 'model' is always the same. Just doesn't work in college. Can he make the team better? Yes...Hlep budgets/facilities? Yes....Can they consistently compete for the big south title? No.


As for throwing them under the bus -- anyone that would suggest he somehow -- went to Janet and 'got' willie & tim fired is so out of touch its not even funny. First, as a head coach (Willie) you don't put yourself in a position where that could ever happen. Second, this all started with the class of 2007 -- before Tommy Smith ever showed up on campus. Members of THAT class threw (especially Tim) under the bus about repeated violations of rules, and ethics.... And since that time Janet has been conducting year end meetings with the entire team as well as exit interviews with players and coaches. Over the last 2-3 years alumni wrote to janet about the crazy stuff going on both on and off the field, current players spoke bad of the coaches, fellow coaches and employees of the university also noted things. Before last season they were told they had one last chance to save their jobs -- what did they do? 9 Wins, stopped coaching the team in April, not to mention the -- I believe 5? Players arrested.... Assualting an officer, resisting arrest, public intoxication, underage drinking etc. etc. Usually when your AD comes to you and says 'this is your last chance' -- and those things all happen -- you lose your job(s).

Now -- did Tommy Smith play some politics at the end of the year in order to stick around? I'm sure he did.... But he had nothing to do with the firing... After the fact I'm sure he tried to distance himself from the two other guys -- but, he was not the reason they were fired.

[buzzed]

Been lurking here for awhile and appreciate the information this board provides.

I can't, however, lurk any longer without responding to some of these posts. Stewart had been Head Coach for enough time to at least establish some consistency, but things kept sliding on and off the field. Perry was part of Stewart's problem as I don't think there was any confidence in him from anyone (players, athletic admin, others, etc) but Stewart, which also proved a poor decision where Stewart's tenure was concerned. In D1 you must produce regardless of your circumstances and those circumstances are more than known by the person stepping into the program. So all the bellyaching about there not being enough resources, you are correct, but these guys knew that coming in and accepted the challenge despite this knowledge; for that these guys should be respected, but again, production is the bottom line -- produce and stay, don't and go -- as it is in any profession.

Regarding Smith and him submarine-ing Stewart and Perry -- I call BS. Perry was pretty much his own worst enemy, particularly with the players and administration. Of all the coaches on the staff, Smith was about the only one that could carry on an extended conversation (about something other than baseball); the other guys just weren't capable and it limited them. Smith is a teacher and motivator, which is a much needed element for this team, and, most importantly, he cultivates loyalty; I imagine the guys that play for him would run through a brick wall for him. That type of loyalty is earned via respect and he has that from these players. And yes, he did have some very talented players in high school, but he won with them while many can't/don't know how to manage such talent. He's not a "cookie cutter coach" in having one way for everyone; he treats players as individuals and recognizes their various nuances and uses these to his advantage. Some won't like how he runs things, but most will. There will be much more knowledge of player roles and expectations. He'll place players in a position to help the team. He'll land a high calibre recruit here and there because potential recruits will like him and his nature, but the parents will like him as much if not more.

Now, about the program -- let's be realistic -- why did they interview McGuire? He applied and was obviously a strong candidate, but UNCA is not in a position to meet any "program investment" requests (they just don't have the money, and particularly during these times) and I'm not sure they would if they were in a position because of the way in which the university has positioned itself institutionally. However, that said, the agreement with the city to use McCormick for most home games will be a definite plus for the baseball program. So, if there were some incremental moves to improve the on-campus practice facilities (o.k. I know it is more accurate to say get), which is feasible and will likely be achieved by Smith, then that is movement in the right direction. UNCA isn't going to get there tomorrow, or likely ever, but the program can be competitive on and off the field and establish a reputation where the diamonds in the rough (no pun intended) can go and shine. Plus, it takes a different mentality to play sports at UNCA because of the school's on-campus reputation, i.e., most of your athletes aren't bleeding heart liberals, so one must be congnizant of this when recruiting players, i.e., while athletes generally do not integrate that well on almost all campuses, the situation at UNCA is exacerbated a bit by it's institutional culture.

I think you'll see some on field difference next year and the record will improve (at this point, it can't help but improve). I do think you'll see a better attitude among the players such that it will be rare for a player to transfer or quit, which apparently has become fairly common in the past few years. Players will know where they stand as there will be communication between coaches and players such that players will not wonder what is going on or why things are done a certain way.

Finally, don't compare basketball to baseball; it is simply not a fair comparison. Basketball makes money and the other sports don't.

[GoUNCA]

Plus, it takes a different mentality to play sports at UNCA because of the school's on-campus reputation, i.e., most of your athletes aren't bleeding heart liberals, so one must be congnizant of this when recruiting players, i.e., while athletes generally do not integrate that well on almost all campuses, the situation at UNCA is exacerbated a bit by it's institutional culture.

I think that is a both a massive cop-out and completely false. UNCA really isn't the some leftist hippy school as it once was. It certainly is left leaning, but then so are most colleges right now. Especially west coast schools, which are regulars in the college world series last time I checked. Not to mention that one poll I remember reading said Obama got like 70% of the younger votes. Maybe baseball players don't vote.....

This doesn't even go into the stereotyping you are opening up....Basketball doesn't really count because they are black democrats or that female athletes are usually lesbians so they will come to UNCA. We've had more than our share of ardently conservative people play sports and be well received by the student populace, not to mention non-athletes. Now if the baseball players wall themselves away from and don't integrate well into campus, that would just point out their own ignorance and narrow-mindedness.

Bad recruiting and bad team dynamics fall to the coaches and certainly not only to the head coach. Smith was on the staff.....which is sad. And yes WhatAJoke, I mean theCats. I am agreeing with you. This is a Joke.

[buzzed]

Go UNCA
You're full of crap. It is well accepted that Asheville and UNCA are more liberal than most other areas in this state; just look at the last election to see what counties went Democrat. You obviously missed the point, so there is no use trying to explain it further.

[uncafan]

Go UNCA
You're full of crap. It is well accepted that Asheville and UNCA are more liberal than most other areas in this state; just look at the last election to see what counties went Democrat. You obviously missed the point, so there is no use trying to explain it further.

easy buzzed...no need to get personal.

I agree with Go UNCA.... Yes asheville has a lot of -- well, hippies But lets be honest...UNCA is relatively small in relation to the population of Asheville -- and i must admit, while parts of asheville are very liberal...it also has a VERY large population of very conservative people... Kinda weird that way, almost two extremes.

Ever since the basketball team had that great season -- Justice has been selling out and there has been a buz about the basketball team. And I also agree with GoUnca that the school is now where near as far left as it used to be.... I would consider myself 'right of center' on the political spectrum and I was well received on campus. In fact -- i would say the majority of my professors (because of my major) were WAY left of where i was and they all loved me....They supported our team, used to post up the baseball write-ups on their door... It was almost annoying how much attention i'd get from the 'hippies' in class....

The truth is if you win, and are pretty good off the field...everyone will support you. If anything Asheville is a tad like a BIGGER school in that the average student doesn't necessarily hang out with the athletes all the time -- because athletes do sometimes keep to themsvles. Sometimes, not all the time....Some of my good friends on campus were non-athletes, and I NEVER had any problems interacting or not fitting in with people on campus.

[GoUNCA]

Go UNCA
You're full of crap. It is well accepted that Asheville and UNCA are more liberal than most other areas in this state; just look at the last election to see what counties went Democrat. You obviously missed the point, so there is no use trying to explain it further.

You clearly didn't read my post.....

UNCA really isn't the some leftist hippy school as it once was. It certainly is left leaning, but then so are most colleges right now. Especially west coast schools, which are regulars in the college world series last time I checked.

You are acting like I said UNCA isn't left leaning or something. I'm afraid "most other areas of the state" is misleading considering apparently more people lived in the democratic counties, at least judging by the last election. Hell, I think democrats have been the Governor's mansion since the turn of the century...the 20th century. But all of that is irrelevant.

I'm just saying that it is a pretty piss poor defense to place some of the blame on the political demographics of Buncombe County or UNCA. I'm not pushing some kind political agenda here. I couldn't care less about your opinion on political issues, especially someone with the screen name "buzzed". If Karl Rove or Dick Cheney won as our baseball coach, you would never find me happier.

I want just two things: 1. to win 2. to not hear excuses

[buzzed]

This doesn't even go into the stereotyping you are opening up....Basketball doesn't really count because they are black democrats or that female athletes are usually lesbians so they will come to UNCA.

Last response and I'll go back to lurking . . .

The above quote is what drew my ire. You draw this conclusion based simply on the mention of recruiting players more likely to be amenable to the institutional culture, thus implying a racist/sexist tact.

I was not even in this realm of thought as I was of the position that they should consider players that would likely (in general) be more amenable/comfortable with the UNCA campus environment given their personal background/beliefs. Obviously, UNCA, like any university, is not a good fit certain people, just like Duke basketball recruits a "certain type of player" as does UNC, etc., etc.; coaches recruit student/athletes that fit their program, the campus, etc.

[kingaling42]

I think that both of you could've made your points without the specifics of any religion, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or any of that crap... Everyoone on here (I trust) knows the dynamics of UNCA, from both the student's that come here for whatever reasons to the culture of Asheville as a whole.. I'm really not sure it's all that different from most places with the excpetion that we're a small university where you can actually know people as opposed to the masses of folks at some other places...

Winning will obviously draw more interest, but let's not kid ourselves that that was why the Justice Center was filling up 2 years ago.. having Kenny George on the team that happened to also have a great year was the perfect storm of events.. Many BSC schools sold more tickets not to watch the Bulldogs beat their school, but to see Kenny as well... Justice Center only sold out for Homecoming last year for example uncafan... But the same is true when we had success in the late 90's.. when you win games, people will come see you play, it doesn't always translate to $$, donations, etc though..

[GoUNCA]

This doesn't even go into the stereotyping you are opening up....Basketball doesn't really count because they are black democrats or that female athletes are usually lesbians so they will come to UNCA.

Last response and I'll go back to lurking . . .

The above quote is what drew my ire. You draw this conclusion based simply on the mention of recruiting players more likely to be amenable to the institutional culture, thus implying a racist/sexist tact.

I was not even in this realm of thought as I was of the position that they should consider players that would likely (in general) be more amenable/comfortable with the UNCA campus environment given their personal background/beliefs. Obviously, UNCA, like any university, is not a good fit certain people, just like Duke basketball recruits a "certain type of player" as does UNC, etc., etc.; coaches recruit student/athletes that fit their program, the campus, etc.

I really wasn't trying to draw ire or try to call you a racist or sexist. I was just pointing out the slippery slope you were riding with your original argument (there are always two sides to a slippery slope). Kings right, I'll concede I didn't articulate my ideas in the best way but I certainly am standing by my opinion that your idea is a massive cop-out. I also would much rather you not lurk and that you would post regularly. The normal posters get into some heated exchanges every now and again (king and I seem to), but it's all in good discussion and we make up in the end. I wouldn't let my posting send you back to lurking.

[voice]

Press Conference to announce the new baseball coach will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 6. If you are in town, you are invited to attend. Its at Owen Hall. If you are not in town, you can watch the live video stream for free at uncabulldogs.com. If you are really bored, you can come to it and then go home and watch the archive of the video stream which will be posted Monday afternoon.

[TheThrillaNamedZilla]

I am sorry to be writing this, especially after hearing that UNCA might be able to pull themselves up to respectable status in the exceedingly weak Big South baseball conference, by hiring a qualified, experienced head coach in Mike Mcguire, but again it's UNCA at it's finest.

I like to do a test that I learned from Colin Cowherd, and sports talk radio host. It's called the 'say it out loud' test

so I guess this is what Janet said out loud:

lets find the 3 least qualified coaches and make them the 'finalists' in our search: CHECK

then, lets release the names of the finalists, just to check the pulse of UNCA basebal nation: CHECK

wow, the response to our candidates was terrible...hmm...perhaps we should expand our search from unca allumni, high school coaches who have been fired/not retained multiple times when they were low level college assistants, and the volly/second assistant from the most incompetant staff we've ever had and division 2 coaches with barely 500 records.

Ok, this is weird, an actually qualified coach from a top 25 school who has run successful programs before and shown great things in development and recruiting wants to come here?!?!?!? And it would hurt the top program in our conference all while strengthening our own team...So...Confused...Good...Coach...could take my job...must stop this...must stay terrible...

To the Alumni:

oh yeah, we're hiring the high school coach...who helped us go 9 and 42 last year...check out my sweet video and send some money to unca, which you have no control over and perhaps will go to the T.P.IMAJOKEGOLFFUND instead of actually into the program, go bulldogs. is the camera off? ok, now someone go change the locks on the equipment room cause i think some stuff might get stolen...wait what? it's already cleaned out...ok, turn the camera on again.

ok bulldogs, the time is now to send money

go bulldogs, be a bulldog, on the court, in the classroom and now with your wallet. go bulldogs

the 'say it out loud' test always works

[kingaling42]

Thrilla... I don't think I know you.. but I like you already!!

As I said in an earlier post, Janet's thought process is terrible (you probably pegged her thoughts too)- she's constantly taking credit for the good things that she doesn't have much part in (see Kimmel Arena), & she sucks at the things that she does have a part in like this hiring process if you want to call it that...

[Remo]

Just jumped on this board today... hope you all don't mind me visiting. I wanted to pass along some news that may interest you. I hear Rick Rembielak (Kent State & Wake Forest) has thrown his name in the hat for your head coaching job. Not sure how long he would stay, but what a shot in the arm he would be to your program. With over 500 DI wins between the two programs, he just may be what your looking for.

[uncafan]

Just jumped on this board today... hope you all don't mind me visiting. I wanted to pass along some news that may interest you. I hear Rick Rembielak (Kent State & Wake Forest) has thrown his name in the hat for your head coaching job. Not sure how long he would stay, but what a shot in the arm he would be to your program. With over 500 DI wins between the two programs, he just may be what your looking for.

Remo... He may have thrown his name in the hat, but they've already hired Tommy Smith as the new head coach. Soooo, haha, apparently we are not looking for him. How would he throw his name after they've already offered the job to someone? Nevermind the fact he'd never take the job, and yes i know he would never take the job.

Talked to several current players and they confirmed they were told they will be notified who the next head coach Sunday (so that B.S. in the asheville citizen times about waiting for ponder is just that, B.S., clearly the athletic department wanted an excuse for going on Vacation in the middle of the hiring process)....And that it will likely be officially commented on monday with a press conference coming tuesday. Is this athletic department so stupid they think we're falling for this 'process' they are setting up? Extremely annoying.

[TheThrillaNamedZilla]

While you do know me, King, my name must stay cloaked in secrecy as I am in the business of coaching baseball.

I was going to apply for the job but the players i coach actually improve, I have no division2 or high school experience, and no previous criminal record or embarrassing job history.

So that eliminated me from consideration janet said

ZILLA!

[uncafan]

http://www.uncabulldogs.com/ViewArticle ... M_ID=19200


I for one will not be watching....absolute joke...And I love how the athletic department is 'slowly' updating information like there is progress being made all week. Hope they all enjoyed their vacation time all week... While they were enjoying time off other programs are actually recruiting kids for next year.

[sadsite]

Hey Torry Zerilla (there's no thrilla)... you couldn't apply for a little league job and get chosen... aren't you the coach of the Knoxville Thunder? wow ... that's impressive - what players are you making any better? I would almost have to say that TP was a "model" representative of UNCA compared to you. I think its funny how you try to mask yourself as such a successful coach, when you did nothing at unca ... nothing at Lincoln Memorial & you feel like you can try to blast others. Look in the miror ... have another... buddy! you see what happen to L'ville once your dad left.

[uncafan]

Hey Torry Zerilla (there's no thrilla)... you couldn't apply for a little league job and get chosen... aren't you the coach of the Knoxville Thunder? wow ... that's impressive - what players are you making any better? I would almost have to say that TP was a "model" representative of UNCA compared to you. I think its funny how you try to mask yourself as such a successful coach, when you did nothing at unca ... nothing at Lincoln Memorial & you feel like you can try to blast others. Look in the miror ... have another... buddy! you see what happen to L'ville once your dad left.

i thought about deleting this post because... well, you obviously have no clue who thrilla is, he's not and never was a college coach... Doesn't live in Knoxville, or has ever coached there... He actually is a successful youth coach with some great, character kids...
But i just keep laughing at how you made an idiot of yourself in this thread -- with your first ever post....so I'll leave it for others to enjoy

[the cats]

I love this thread..... Please keep it going. I'll actually be sad to see someone hired.

by the way.... are you sure sadsite's not WhatAJoke?

someone quick..... check IP addresses.

[TheThrillaNamedZilla]

That post was great. I feel bad for that guy...he got ripped for no reason.

What did mr gorilla ever do to to you man?

Where's the love? All I'm sayin is cones a moron if mcguire isn't hired...the resume doesn't match the position...I mean he's way overqualified...but its his funeral if he wants the job...

Tc roberson EAT YOUR HEART OUT! We got your coach!

[Dogs]

I was talking to a Mars Hill player yesterday and he said he had been told by his coach that Dan Taylor (Mars Hill Coach) had been advised that he did not get the job.