[PAmedic]

this just in-

I'm hearing Randy Tomlin is GONE

As in- Resigned- effective immediately

not good. So how does the team react, and what is the coaching situation going to be with 1 MONTH until the season opener?

[PAmedic]

have I mentioned that this is BAD, BAD, BAD?

evidently some serious underlying issues with this staff.

and the timing couldn't be much worse for this to come to a head

[Chris Lang]

Medic, he took a job with the Washington Nationals. Just got a press release about it. He'll be the pitching coach at Potomac.

[SuperJon]

That makes it a little better.

[A.G.]

Best of luck to Coach Tomlin. He will be missed in many ways.

[knobodywest]

THIS IS A SHOCK. FROM WHERE I SIT IT IS OBVIOUS WHO THE MAIN INFLUENCE ON THIS TEAM IS. CLEARLY THE WRONG MAN HAS LEFT. THIS IS A SAD DAY FOR LIBERTY UNIVERSITY AND WE ALL KNOW IT. I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY NEWS AT ANY OF THE LUNCHEONS OF THE BASEBALL TEAM SIGNING ANY IMPACT PLAYERS, AND NOW WE OUR LOSING AN IMPACT COACH. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR TEAM PERHAPS MORE MOVES NEED TO BE MADE. AND THE QUESTIONED ASKED, WHY DID RANDY TOMLIN REALLY RESIGN. IT IS CLEAR FROM THE PRESS RELEASE THAT HE LOVES LIBERTY. RANDY TOMLIN WILL BE MISSED, HIS TIME, TALENT, AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE GAME CANNOT BE REPLACED. UNFORTUNATLEY OUR LOSS IS THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS GAIN. I GUESS CONGRATULATIONS ARE DUE TO RANDY AND HIS SWEET FAMILY WHOM WE ALSO HAVE GROWN TO LOVE.

[A.G.]

Now that is bringing the heat with a first post.

[SuperJon]

Heat, but hard to read heat.

Caps lock, yo.

[A.G.]

All caps--means high and tight heat--that was a freaking knockdown pitch.

[SuperJon]

Screw high and tight, he was throwing behind the batter.

[Fumblerooskies]

This is a loss for the entire Central Virginia baseball community. He has done much for all levels of baseball in this area, even in the short time I've been in Lynchburg...
...as a coach at LU...
...as the legion coach (on a couple of occasions)...
...as a junior legion coach...
...and as a mentor for many area players with camps in addition to his Liberty duties.

[knobodywest]

This is a loss, Randy Tomlin has set the standard and raised the bar of excellence through his coaching style and techniques, I have heard his players say so themselves. Best of luck to the boys he leaves behind.

[Sly Fox]

I went to school with Randy back in the day and he has always been a class guy.

Frankly I don't see anything sinister in this move in the slightest. He's getting an opportunity to advance professionally. If anything it would seem to give him more leverage to return in a greater capacity down the road.

Congrats to Randy and I wish him the best as he represents the school on the next level.

That said, we now have a big hole to fill in the staff and not much time to fill it.

Liberty Baseball Assistant Tomlin Takes Position With Nationals

January 9, 2007
Lynchburg, Va.



Liberty University Head Baseball Coach Matt Royer has announced that assistant coach Randy Tomlin has resigned to take a position with the Washington Nationals organization.

“I’m very happy for Randy. I know that getting back into professional baseball is something he has wanted to do,” stated Royer. “This is a great opportunity for him and I wish him all the best as he begins this new phase of his coaching career.”

Tomlin, a former major league and Liberty pitcher, will become the pitching coach of the Potomac Nationals, the Carolina League Single A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, based in Woodbridge, Va. He joins the staff of Potomac manager Randy Knorr. In 2006, the Nationals finished third in the Carolina League’s Northern Division with a 31-39 record.

“Liberty is my home. I accepted the Lord as my Savior here,” stated Tomlin. “I have become a better man, a better husband, a better father and a better coach in tenure here at Liberty. My experience can never be duplicated. It is the home away from home for my wife Janet and our children. We have all benefited by being here.

“I will greatly miss the baseball program and the ministry I have had with all the players. They have meant a great deal to my family and me. Liberty will always have my prayers and support. I look forward to joining the Nationals and helping their organization win a championship.”

After a nine-year career in professional baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, Tomlin spent the past nine years as pitching coach at his alma mater. Last season, he aided in guiding Liberty to a school record 39 Division I wins. In 2005, his pitching staff posted the second lowest ERA since the Flames moved to the Division I level in 1984. Liberty also captured two Big South titles and two NCAA tournament berths during his tenure in 1988 and 2000. In his nine seasons, 10 members of his staffs were selected in the Major League Baseball Draft.

A native of Madison Heights, Va., Tomlin was a three-year starter at Liberty from 1986-89. He currently ranks second on the all-time Liberty complete games list and fifth on its strikeout list. The left-hander graduated from Liberty with a degree in sport management.

http://libertyflames.com/index.cfm?PID= ... 43&TeamID=

[PAmedic]

I smell something and it aint roast duck.

[krh44]

this stinks w/ less than a month away until our first game not a good time to lose a coach. Being Randy is from the area and really likes LU he must have got a great offer or there is something about the posts on here about some issues amongst the coaching staff

[PAmedic]

... he must have got a great offer or there is something about the posts on here about some issues amongst the coaching staff

I'm taking door number 2, Chuck.

[prototype]

THIS IS A SHOCK. FROM WHERE I SIT IT IS OBVIOUS WHO THE MAIN INFLUENCE ON THIS TEAM IS. CLEARLY THE WRONG MAN HAS LEFT. THIS IS A SAD DAY FOR LIBERTY UNIVERSITY AND WE ALL KNOW IT. I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY NEWS AT ANY OF THE LUNCHEONS OF THE BASEBALL TEAM SIGNING ANY IMPACT PLAYERS, AND NOW WE OUR LOSING AN IMPACT COACH. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR TEAM PERHAPS MORE MOVES NEED TO BE MADE. AND THE QUESTIONED ASKED, WHY DID RANDY TOMLIN REALLY RESIGN. IT IS CLEAR FROM THE PRESS RELEASE THAT HE LOVES LIBERTY. RANDY TOMLIN WILL BE MISSED, HIS TIME, TALENT, AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE GAME CANNOT BE REPLACED. UNFORTUNATLEY OUR LOSS IS THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS GAIN. I GUESS CONGRATULATIONS ARE DUE TO RANDY AND HIS SWEET FAMILY WHOM WE ALSO HAVE GROWN TO LOVE.

You're kidding with this post. I haven't even got through this thread yet and I'm already shocked. Go Figure. What amazes me about this board is the way things get spun. This board either likes you or hates you. Since when is Tomlin the main coach? Anyone that says that knows nothing about the baseball program. Coach Tomlin is taking an opportunity that he feels is a good career move. That's it!!!! As far as I can tell, it's the same money he was being paid here, just has to work 6 months out of the year. Let's try not to make this into a big DRAMA situation. It wasn't because the staff is in disarray, it's not because he didn't want to be on the coaching staff anymore, it's not because he was promised something that wasn't delivered. The man had a good situation here - he was paid well, same or not more than the head coach, his kids receive free tuition at LCA - Coach Royer's don't, he has a pretty open schedule to do what he wants, and he never gets criticized because he played Professional Baseball, which by the way has no bearing on whether he's a good coach or not. I just can't sit here and see you guys make this into something it's not and give the Royer haters a chance to start a controversy again. This is not fantasy baseball, these coaches are real people, with real families and yes this is a message board, but have some respect. Coach Tomlin is a very nice guy who is taking an opportunity that he feels is the next step in his career - THAT'S IT! Hey, the last time I looked - we have had a pretty good run under Royer - do you think Tomlin would have this opportunity if Liberty was sub 500 the last two years. He owes Royer for giving him the opportunity to be on HIS staff. The only thing I don't like is the timing. Someone that cares so much about LU, as you all say, wouldn't have left a month before the season starts - that was a no class move that should be mentioned.

You want me to make assumptions about people's work ethics and success, with very little information - give me your work address, I'll come and observe you for a couple hours and then I'll post on a public message board on all the things I could have done better. Doesn't matter what kind of work you do - Barnes and Noble has those Dumies books - I a quick learner:)

[TruthSlayer11]

THIS IS A SHOCK. FROM WHERE I SIT IT IS OBVIOUS WHO THE MAIN INFLUENCE ON THIS TEAM IS. CLEARLY THE WRONG MAN HAS LEFT. THIS IS A SAD DAY FOR LIBERTY UNIVERSITY AND WE ALL KNOW IT. I HAVE NOT HEARD ANY NEWS AT ANY OF THE LUNCHEONS OF THE BASEBALL TEAM SIGNING ANY IMPACT PLAYERS, AND NOW WE OUR LOSING AN IMPACT COACH. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR TEAM PERHAPS MORE MOVES NEED TO BE MADE. AND THE QUESTIONED ASKED, WHY DID RANDY TOMLIN REALLY RESIGN. IT IS CLEAR FROM THE PRESS RELEASE THAT HE LOVES LIBERTY. RANDY TOMLIN WILL BE MISSED, HIS TIME, TALENT, AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE GAME CANNOT BE REPLACED. UNFORTUNATLEY OUR LOSS IS THE WASHINGTON NATIONALS GAIN. I GUESS CONGRATULATIONS ARE DUE TO RANDY AND HIS SWEET FAMILY WHOM WE ALSO HAVE GROWN TO LOVE.

You're kidding with this post. I haven't even got through this thread yet and I'm already shocked. Go Figure. What amazes me about this board is the way things get spun. This board either likes you or hates you. Since when is Tomlin the main coach? Anyone that says that knows nothing about the baseball program. Coach Tomlin is taking an opportunity that he feels is a good career move. That's it!!!! As far as I can tell, it's the same money he was being paid here, just has to work 6 months out of the year. Let's try not to make this into a big DRAMA situation. It wasn't because the staff is in disarray, it's not because he didn't want to be on the coaching staff anymore, it's not because he was promised something that wasn't delivered. The man had a good situation here - he was paid well, same or not more than the head coach, his kids receive free tuition at LCA - Coach Royer's don't, he has a pretty open schedule to do what he wants, and he never gets criticized because he played Professional Baseball, which by the way has no bearing on whether he's a good coach or not. I just can't sit here and see you guys make this into something it's not and give the Royer haters a chance to start a controversy again. This is not fantasy baseball, these coaches are real people, with real families and yes this is a message board, but have some respect. Coach Tomlin is a very nice guy who is taking an opportunity that he feels is the next step in his career - THAT'S IT! Hey, the last time I looked - we have had a pretty good run under Royer - do you think Tomlin would have this opportunity if Liberty was sub 500 the last two years. He owes Royer for giving him the opportunity to be on HIS staff. The only thing I don't like is the timing. Someone that cares so much about LU, as you all say, wouldn't have left a month before the season starts - that was a no class move that should be mentioned.

You want me to make assumptions about people's work ethics and success, with very little information - give me your work address, I'll come and observe you for a couple hours and then I'll post on a public message board on all the things I could have done better. Doesn't matter what kind of work you do - Barnes and Noble has those Dumies books - I a quick learner:)

For what it's worth, this isnt a step up in his career...I'm saying this b/c some may be unaware of professional baseball and may get caught up in the term "professional" and think it's a great opportunity...it's not, pitching coordinator close...if Randy just wasnt so impossible to get along with everything would be ok

anyone who knows him knows how facesious i was being

[prototype]

You hit the nail on the Head TruthSlayer.

[bigsmooth]

this really stinks. randy loves the area, and LU. i would venture to say this has something to do with a relationship with a certain person.....

[SuperJon]

Proto, as much as I love how supportive you are, you have to look at who is bringing the accusations this time. It's not random people who always hate on everything. Medic and Smoothie are huge supporters of all of the coaches here, and if they're bringing the accusation, it holds some weight. There are a few people on this board that if they say it, 99% of the time it's true. There are others, that if they say it, it's 99% of the time not true. Smoothie and Medic are in the first group.

[TruthSlayer11]

Maybe I wasnt clear...this is not a step up in his career...further proving he's willing to do anything to get out of dodge....Big's your correct...he loves it hear and wants nothing more then be apart of this university

[Hold My Own]

Bottom line, this sucks....I have a gut feeling he'll be apart of this University in some aspect in years to come...I hope so b/c he's one of the finest we've had come through here

[bigsmooth]

randy and his wife love the situation his kids have at LCA, he is a madison hgts guy, and he loves to teach kids. i cannot imagine he and his family could be that wild about bus trips around the carolina league..i could be wrong, but that's my opinion.

[TruthSlayer11]

Your not wrong, heck he even wanted to coach LCA baseball....anyone ever see Walk The Line?


"YOU TOOK THE WRONG ONE GOD!!!!"

but I'm only talking about leaving LU, nothing else!