Chris Burke on Gary Henderson and UK baseball..

[Derek Terry]

SEC analyst and former big-leaguer Chris Burke had several encouraging things to say about the job Gary Henderson has done with the UK baseball program. This is from last night's SEC Network broadcast of Ole Miss/Arkansas.

"I can't say enough about what Gary Henderson has done with that program. If you look at what they've done, considering some of the disadvantages they have in this league. We talked about this facility (Swayze Field) getting a $13 million dollar upgrade from where it already stands. And in a league where everybody is keeping up with the joneses, Kentucky's facilities are way below average. The northern-most school in this league, and yet they are right there in the mix at the top of the (SEC) East, with the monsters of this conference, in Florida, South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

"You think about what Kentucky has done since 2006. They have made the tournament every other year since 2006. They've twice been the No. 1 seed in a regional. They won the regular-season conference title. They had the national player of the year, two years ago in AJ Reed. I think Kentucky's program, when you look at it through that lens, has really had a great run over the last 10 years. Considering what they are up against year in and year out in this conference."

 

[RogerIndy]

Actually, we are no longer the northern most school in the SEC, Mizzou is. Other than that, I would agree with Burke's analysis.

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

Chris Burke is from Louisville, and I think he may still reside there. He has always spoken well of UK, and he was a Tennessee Vol, and a great one for them.

 

[Big_Blue_1018]

I hate to be that guy but if he considers two trips to the NCAA, zero conference championships, zero super regional appearances let alone a trip to Omaha, the sure he's been successful. Yes, AJ Reed won the Golden spikes award but the rumblings from former players and parents is that had very little to do with Hendersons coaching and more Brad Bohannon and Brian Green. Yes, Hendo is the fastest coach to reach 200 wins at UK but outside of 2012 and 2014, his record is under .500. I'm sorry but me and Chris Burke completely disagree on this.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Chris Burke probably knows more about baseball than I can ever dream of knowing. That is why it is extremely disrespectful for me to disagree with him, but, for the most part, I am going to do it.

I will start off by agreeing that UK is at a huge disadvantage because of facilities. Ours is far and away the worst stadium in the SEC. I don't think you can even question that. However, we have recruited well, despite these limitations, under both Cohen and Henderson. During that entire time the recruiting coordinator, to my knowledge, was always Brad Bohannon. One of his biggest recruiting coups was the aforementioned AJ Reed. So, IMO, most of the credit for the success in terms of recruiting goes to Mr. Bohannon.

The success on the field has been a little less stellar to some degree. Kentucky, IMO, has underachieved in most of the years that Henderson has been here. Even 2012 was an underachievement considering how it ended without us going to a Super Regional. In terms of on the field, I wouldn't say we are ever really in the mix with the monsters of the SEC East. We have finished higher than 4th in the SEC East just once, and that was when we tied for second in 2012. Cohen, on the other hand, did it twice finishing 1st in 2006 and 3rd in 2008.

The question going forward is, how well will Kentucky do without Bohannon? Toby Bicknell is now coming in to take over the recruiting job that Bohannon excelled at. It will be a very tall task for Mr. Bicknell. Can he overcome the facility obstacle? He won't have to for long because we should start getting some new ones. However, that still doesn't make it an easy task. If he is unable to excel then it could really show the importance of Bohannon and show that he was a big key in the success of UK. Either way, I personally put very little of the success on Henderson considering that Henderson has yet to have what I would call an excellent pitching staff, and in most years it is probably simply average.

Also, Kentucky has not made the NCAA tournament every other year since 2006. We went in '06 and '08 with Cohen. We then had a three year drought with Henderson before finally breaking through again in '12. We went again in '14 and we look like we will make it again in '16. Both times we were 1 seeds were under Cohen.

 

[AgesBlue]

Chris Burke probably knows more about baseball than I can ever dream of knowing. That is why it is extremely disrespectful for me to disagree with him, but, for the most part, I am going to do it.

I will start off by agreeing that UK is at a huge disadvantage because of facilities. Ours is far and away the worst stadium in the SEC. I don't think you can even question that. However, we have recruited well, despite these limitations, under both Cohen and Henderson. During that entire time the recruiting coordinator, to my knowledge, was always Brad Bohannon. One of his biggest recruiting coups was the aforementioned AJ Reed. So, IMO, most of the credit for the success in terms of recruiting goes to Mr. Bohannon.

The success on the field has been a little less stellar to some degree. Kentucky, IMO, has underachieved in most of the years that Henderson has been here. Even 2012 was an underachievement considering how it ended without us going to a Super Regional. In terms of on the field, I wouldn't say we are ever really in the mix with the monsters of the SEC East. We have finished higher than 4th in the SEC East just once, and that was when we tied for second in 2012. Cohen, on the other hand, did it twice finishing 1st in 2006 and 3rd in 2008.

The question going forward is, how well will Kentucky do without Bohannon? Toby Bicknell is now coming in to take over the recruiting job that Bohannon excelled at. It will be a very tall task for Mr. Bicknell. Can he overcome the facility obstacle? He won't have to for long because we should start getting some new ones. However, that still doesn't make it an easy task. If he is unable to excel then it could really show the importance of Bohannon and show that he was a big key in the success of UK. Either way, I personally put very little of the success on Henderson considering that Henderson has yet to have what I would call an excellent pitching staff, and in most years it is probably simply average.

Also, Kentucky has not made the NCAA tournament every other year since 2006. We went in '06 and '08 with Cohen. We then had a three year drought with Henderson before finally breaking through again in '12. We went again in '14 and we look like we will make it again in '16. Both times we were 1 seeds were under Cohen.

I have heard Chris on several broadcasts the last couple of years, he has excellent knowledge of the game. He would probably make an excellent coach, if he ever chose to go that route.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I have heard Chris on several broadcasts the last couple of years, he has excellent knowledge of the game. He would probably make an excellent coach, if he ever chose to go that route.

He was apparently highly considered for the Tennessee job when it was open before they hired Serrano. If Serrano once again fails to make the NCAA tournament then I have to imagine that they will fire him. He's now in his 5th year at Tennessee and he hasn't made the NCAA tournament and has only had over 30 wins once during this time. I don't think he's done that much different than Todd Raleigh did for them. Once they fire Serrano, Burke may then once again be considered. Not sure if they will want to go the unproven direction, but Serrano came with a pretty solid resume and it didn't work out.

I'm still holding out hope that Andy Green comes home to Kentucky.

 

[sluggercatfan]

He was apparently highly considered for the Tennessee job when it was open before they hired Serrano. If Serrano once again fails to make the NCAA tournament then I have to imagine that they will fire him. He's now in his 5th year at Tennessee and he hasn't made the NCAA tournament and has only had over 30 wins once during this time. I don't think he's done that much different than Todd Raleigh did for them. Once they fire Serrano, Burke may then once again be considered. Not sure if they will want to go the unproven direction, but Serrano came with a pretty solid resume and it didn't work out.

I'm still holding out hope that Andy Green comes home to Kentucky.

Where is he now?

 

[Comebakatz3]

Andy Green is the coach of the Padres in MLB. It's his first year.

 

[CatsFanGG24]

Burke is a good dude.

Had a catholic grade school baseball coach that also coached him. He always told the story of when Burke was making his college decision...he had his pick or basically wherever, but I think it came down to UT and ND...he was letting the Father at St.X know of his decision and my grade school coach said the priest smacked him across the face after hearing his decision to turn down Notre Dame (or maybe bc he picked Tennessee ) and then wished him well.

Don't know if its true...but I hope it was.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Andy Green is the coach of the Padres in MLB. It's his first year.

What I thought so don't see much shot of nim ever being here..

 

[Comebakatz3]

What I thought so don't see much shot of nim ever being here..

I don't either, but a kid can dream. Of course, with the year that Kentucky is having Henderson is probably buying himself a few more years at the very least. It, unfortunately, might even get him a contract extension. So, we'll see just how that goes for us.

 

[sluggercatfan]

I don't either, but a kid can dream. Of course, with the year that Kentucky is having Henderson is probably buying himself a few more years at the very least. It, unfortunately, might even get him a contract extension. So, we'll see just how that goes for us.

They (UK) have got to get this new facility built and stop BS's around!!!!!!!

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

He was apparently highly considered for the Tennessee job when it was open before they hired Serrano. If Serrano once again fails to make the NCAA tournament then I have to imagine that they will fire him. He's now in his 5th year at Tennessee and he hasn't made the NCAA tournament and has only had over 30 wins once during this time. I don't think he's done that much different than Todd Raleigh did for them. Once they fire Serrano, Burke may then once again be considered. Not sure if they will want to go the unproven direction, but Serrano came with a pretty solid resume and it didn't work out.

I'm still holding out hope that Andy Green comes home to Kentucky.

Didn't know Chris was considered for the UT job, Serrano has been a colossal bust for the Vols. I thought when he was hired he would return the Vols to the Delmonico glory days.... Guess not !

 

[Big_Blue_1018]

Dave Serrano has been a bust but Scott Strickland at Georgia has been a failure of epic proportions.

 

[Comebakatz3]

I thought both of those were great hires. Strickland still has time. This is only his third year. Serrano has been there a while and pretty much has nothing to show for it.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

I thought both of those were great hires. Strickland still has time. This is only his third year. Serrano has been there a while and pretty much has nothing to show for it.

I agree with this. UGA could still make the tourney. Had great week last week beat Tech during the week and then taking the series from South Carolina. UGA is not a bad team this year. UT, on the other hand, is dreadful. Bullpen is a total mess.

 

[CatsFanGG24]

Seems like Gary Henderson has a low ceiling, but possibly a higher floor than some coaches. He has done OK this year, but this is his max...and I think UK can be better than this.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Seems like Gary Henderson has a low ceiling, but possibly a higher floor than some coaches. He has done OK this year, but this is his max...and I think UK can be better than this.

Agree entirely. I think Henderson is a good middle of the road coach. However, I don't want to settle for middle of the road. I was to compete for championships. With Louisville doing just that we should desperately want to do the same thing.

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

Agree entirely. I think Henderson is a good middle of the road coach. However, I don't want to settle for middle of the road. I was to compete for championships. With Louisville doing just that we should desperately want to do the same thing.

Maybe Chris Burke could be our next coach, he sure seems very astute about Baseball in general, and he lives in Louisville I believe.

 

[rolaid]

Time to cut bait with him. He is average with no personalty or charisma.

 

[BigBlueCatNation]

Yep, I'm done with Henderson. Though I've been done with him since about Year 3. There's no excuse to ever lose to Louisville, much less 5 in a row.