[flameshaw]

The wild speculations on here are absolutely amazing, unfounded, but entertaining none the less.

[Purple Haize]

The wild speculations on here are absolutely amazing, unfounded, but entertaining none the less.

How do you know it's unfounded? Do you know who the next coach is ?

[Larryhenry24]

Actually, I think the speculation has been at a minimum. However, the longer it takes to name a coach, the more likely there's something more to the story. You don't let a coach go this late unless you have a replacement lined up. According to a reliable source that is connected to several college coaches...the consensus is that JT had no idea this was coming. And all of those same coaches could not believe he was let go so late. I think they assume there's more to the story. He was let go the day after the 1st round draft pick signed. Anxious to hear any new info on who the new guy will be.

[ballcoach15]

I would guess that the AD knows who new coach will be, but is in process of ironing out details and doing contract stuff, before official announcement is made.

[Purple Haize]

I would guess that the AD knows who new coach will be, but is in process of ironing out details and doing contract stuff, before official announcement is made.

That's an awful lot of ironing. Try getting wrinkle free. They really aren't but do take less ironing

[BJWilliams]

We may never truly know the whole story on how Toman ended up no longer the Liberty head coach...but as trite as this may sound, they aren't going to put out anymore info because a bunch of keyboard jockeys are asking for it. Its like I believe I said before we hired Coach McKay, larry...we have to trust the process. JB isn't some wet behind the ears kid handling this hire...he's been AD for 10 years and Im sure has a very clear method in handling this process and we have to trust he knows what he is doing AND that he knew what he was doing even with the timing of the dismissal/resignation.

[flameshaw]

The wild speculations on here are absolutely amazing, unfounded, but entertaining none the less.

How do you know it's unfounded? Do you know who the next coach is ?

I do know that most of the explaination(s), regarding why JT was let go, the timing of his firing and replacement being named, is unfounded.
It wasn't player development (minor issue at best), or any other single item. It was a culmination of a lot of things. Also, unless something VERY unexpected happens, we won't be hearing who the next coach will be this week. There are some interviews scheduled for next week. Maybe BJ can take next week off and and do some undercover work. It might be a busy week on the mountain. Not really excited about what I am hearing so far, but we will have to see how it plays out.
Somehow, I expect this is bigger than one sport. (no first hand information on that, just my guess).

[Purple Haize]

The wild speculations on here are absolutely amazing, unfounded, but entertaining none the less.

How do you know it's unfounded? Do you know who the next coach is ?

I do know that most of the explaination(s), regarding why JT was let go, the timing of his firing and replacement being named, is unfounded.
It wasn't player development (minor issue at best), or any other single item. It was a culmination of a lot of things. Also, unless something VERY unexpected happens, we won't be hearing who the next coach will be this week. There are some interviews scheduled for next week. Maybe BJ can take next week off and and do some undercover work. It might be a busy week on the mountain. Not really excited about what I am hearing so far, but we will have to see how it plays out.
Somehow, I expect this is bigger than one sport. (no first hand information on that, just my guess).

Than that shows poor timing in the decision which means either something finally became the straw that broke the camels back or he wasn't cognoscent of the timing

[Larryhenry24]

That last comment...about this not being about just one sport...has me curious. Possibly a new AD? And if we don't hire a new coach this week, then I believe the timing was horrible. Every college coach knows the 3 weeks in ATL are the biggest recruiting weeks of the year. We've missed the 2017's. The 2018s begin this wknd...and the 2019s the following wknd. Baseball recruiting has changed so much and all of the major programs have filled up their 2017s. Have almost filled their 2018s and are now focused on 2019s. We have 1 listed commit for 2017 and 3 for 2018. I know most people don't see this as a big deal...but once a kid verbally commits they are hands off to other programs..so even if we hit a HR on the hire we wont be getting the prized recruits.. it's just really placed us in a bad situation. The 4 commits we do have are really good players...but its not so much about the X's and O's but more about the Jimmy's and Joe's. That's just reality!

[BJWilliams]

Sorry flameshaw...I don't have the time off and even if I did, I can't afford to take time off and schlep out to Lynchburg for what would essentially be a wild goose chase for more info than we already know if I want to make sure my boys are taken care of

[flameshaw]

Someone, just pulled their name off the list. He has not had an interview yet, so maybe things are heating up a bit.

[olldflame]

That last comment...about this not being about just one sport...has me curious. Possibly a new AD? And if we don't hire a new coach this week, then I believe the timing was horrible. Every college coach knows the 3 weeks in ATL are the biggest recruiting weeks of the year. We've missed the 2017's. The 2018s begin this wknd...and the 2019s the following wknd. Baseball recruiting has changed so much and all of the major programs have filled up their 2017s. Have almost filled their 2018s and are now focused on 2019s. We have 1 listed commit for 2017 and 3 for 2018. I know most people don't see this as a big deal...but once a kid verbally commits they are hands off to other programs..so even if we hit a HR on the hire we wont be getting the prized recruits.. it's just really placed us in a bad situation. The 4 commits we do have are really good players...but its not so much about the X's and O's but more about the Jimmy's and Joe's. That's just reality!

This is simply not the case Schools can in fact continue to recruit players who have verballed, and either party can change their mind at any point until the NLI is signed Our football team lost a WR recruit who had committed this year, and replaced him with another WR who was committed to another school All perfectly legal If a player wants to try to end the recruiting process before the signing period, it is up to them to let the other schools still going after them know they are not interested, but it doesn't always work

[Larryhenry24]

You are correct about football...but baseball is different. There's not a coach in D1 baseball that will talk to a committed player. It's a gentleman's agreement between the coaches. Ask around if you don't believe me. I'm not trying to be rude, but you're wrong.

[youngflamer]

I haven't heard anyone mention the name Rod Delmonico. He is a Liberty graduate, winningest coach in University of Tennessee history with 699 wins. Took the Vols to the CWS three times.
Still young man at 58. Why not someone who has won at the highest level of college baseball, that being the SEC.
Was fired by a new AD (sound familiar?) and program has had two coaches since his dismissal.

Playing Experience: Lettered in baseball at Liberty University ; Lettered in soccer at Liberty University
Coaching Experience: Assistant Coach at Gloucester (N.J.) County College 1981; Graduate Assistant Coach at Clemson 1982-83; Assistant Coach at Florida State 1984-89; Head Coach at Tennessee 1990-2007; Assistant at Florida State.
Head Coaching Team Accomplishments: 699-396 (.638) in 18 years at Tennessee; Three College World Series appearances (1995, 2001, 2005); Eight NCAA Regional appearances (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2005); Five NCAA Regional finals (1994, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2005); Two Southeastern Conference Titles (1994, 1995); Four SEC Eastern Division Titles (1993, 1994, 1995, 1997); Nine 40-win seasons; Two 50-win seasons
Coaching Honors:
Four-time Tennessee Baseball Coach of the Year (1993, 1995, 2001, 2005)
Two-time Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year (1994, 1995)
Baseball America National Coach of the Year (1995) (Youngest coach to ever win the award)
ABCA South Region Coach of the Year (1995)

[olldflame]

I haven't heard anyone mention the name Rod Delmonico. He is a Liberty graduate, winningest coach in University of Tennessee history with 699 wins. Took the Vols to the CWS three times.
Still young man at 58. Why not someone who has won at the highest level of college baseball, that being the SEC.
Playing Experience: Lettered in baseball at Liberty University 1977; Lettered in soccer at Liberty University 1978
Coaching Experience: Assistant Coach at Gloucester (N.J.) County College 1981; Graduate Assistant Coach at Clemson 1982-83; Assistant Coach at Florida State 1984-89; Head Coach at Tennessee 1990-Present
Head Coaching Team Accomplishments: 699-396 (.638) in 18 years at Tennessee; Three College World Series appearances (1995, 2001, 2005); Eight NCAA Regional appearances (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2005); Five NCAA Regional finals (1994, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2005); Two Southeastern Conference Titles (1994, 1995); Four SEC Eastern Division Titles (1993, 1994, 1995, 1997); Nine 40-win seasons; Two 50-win seasons
Coaching Honors:
Four-time Tennessee Baseball Coach of the Year (1993, 1995, 2001, 2005)
Two-time Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year (1994, 1995)
Baseball America National Coach of the Year (1995) (Youngest coach to ever win the award)
ABCA South Region Coach of the Year (1995)

No real inside information here, but I was around when Rod was a player at Liberty, and let's just say he was not "all in" with the Liberty way back then, and likely would be less so now

He also coached the Dutch team in the 2009 WBC, and they pulled off a couple of shockers over the DR if I recall

[flamehunter]

He hasn't been a head coach since 2007.

[Jonathan Carone]

From the people here who have talked about him, he wouldn't be a culture fit. It'd be like Karl Hess coming back.

[olldflame]

From the people here who have talked about him, he wouldn't be a culture fit. It'd be like Karl Hess coming back.

Interesting comparison While Karl appears to have lost any vestiges of humility and acquired a serious potty mouth, I believe he still holds many of the core values the school stands for I don't really know about Rod They were at LBC at the same time, but Rod was a JUCO transfer and was only there 2 years

[ballah09]

He's been assisting at Florida State, or has been and he was fired because of an alleged affair and a couple of off the field incidents at Tennessee. He's definitely a winner who can manage and develop talent for sure but last I heard was he wasn't interested in coaching at Liberty unless he can work around the "liberty way" for what ever that means. like some already have said, Rod is not a saint. With Liberty's view on theology today i'm sure none of that matters anyway. (sarcasm)

[Sly Fox]

For what it is worth, everything being shared about Rod fits the narrative I have heard from sources over the years. Probably not a great match.

I have sniffed around the Heefner situation while I was in Dallas and received nothing but blank stares when I asked about the possibility of him considering Liberty. Where there is no smoke there typically isn't much fire. But I can tell you that he is in a different place this offseason than he was a year ago when he turned down Baylor's offer. I'd still consider it an extreme long shot for him to interview.

Frankly the people I usually here from around this types of searches have been silent on this hire. JB must be playing this very close to the vest. I acan tell you that our job is more attractive than some on this board would assume baeed solely on salary and facilities. But Toman's departure has many in the coahcing community wondering what expectations are in Lynchburg.

[Larryhenry24]

I agree with that last statement. Toman was a respected colleague in the coaching ranks and the way his departure was handled could give some bigger names cold feet. Who do the insiders on this board believe the "Guy" will be? I know he's not had head coach experience...but S.Jackson was my initial gut...so I'll predict he lands the job. He knows the Liberty Way and is a strong recruiter. Probably won't happen...but I'll stick w/my gut. Who do you guys predict?

[olldflame]

You are correct about football...but baseball is different. There's not a coach in D1 baseball that will talk to a committed player. It's a gentleman's agreement between the coaches. Ask around if you don't believe me. I'm not trying to be rude, but you're wrong.

I'll take your word on the "gentleman's agreement" thing, I was referring to the rules Considering the things which are actually rule violations coaches in ALL SPORTS do to gain an edge in recruiting, you will excuse my scepticism regarding the likelihood of 100% compliance with not doing something which is legal

[Larryhenry24]

I'm sure that some schools have broken that agreement....but you can check around....if our new coach talks to committed baseball players he would instantly be black balled by the coaching community...and I can tell you it wouldn't fly with the LU way. Once a kid in baseball commits...he's hands off to other coaches. Definitely not the case in football! The only time it's socially accepted to talk to a committed player is when he decommits for a legit reason...like the coach being fired.. Which is what I am afraid will happen with our 4 committs. If/when they decommit....it will be accepted for them to be re-recruited. That's why I hope we hire the guy quickly rather than later.

[flameshaw]

Every time I make a comment about this subject, I say to myself, it will be my last. Hopefully, I can be true to myself after this one.
There is a reason why RD (both of them), Delmonico and Dunton haven't had jobs since they left TN/Liberty respectively. It is not for the same reasons for sure. However, one must ask himself why a coach, who was extremely successful in the SEC, went to the CWS three times (I believe) and the playoffs 8-9 times, is not coaching somewhere at a major program. Tennessee has not been successful since he left. Athletics is a tight knit community, word gets around. Some get second chances, many do not. As always IMVVVVHO.

[Purple Haize]

Every time I make a comment about this subject, I say to myself, it will be my last. Hopefully, I can be true to myself after this one.
There is a reason why RD (both of them), Delmonico and Dunton haven't had jobs since they left TN/Liberty respectively. It is not for the same reasons for sure. However, one must ask himself why a coach, who was extremely successful in the SEC, went to the CWS three times (I believe) and the playoffs 8-9 times, is not coaching somewhere at a major program. Tennessee has not been successful since he left. Athletics is a tight knit community, word gets around. Some get second chances, many do not. As always IMVVVVHO.

Jeff Meyer. (You've been around long enough. You know the rules!)