Not a surprise with how the season went. Is it time for a coaching change? I said in another thread maybe after next year. But I think I have changed my mind. I say it is time for a change. Time to go out and get a coach that can get results.
No tourney this year.
- Thread starter wildcatbd21
- Start date
It was time for a coaching change in 2011. It was obvious even then that Henderson was in over his head. I doubt that Barnhart will make the change but it does need to be done and there is no doubt in my mind about that. In my opinion we throw our money at Dallas Baptist coach Dan Heefner or former Kentucky player Andy Green. Heefner would be my first choice. I don't think I want another pitching coach as a head coach.
To be expected after the series loss to a bad UGA team when everyone knew UK needed to win it, bad mid-week losses, one and done in the SEC tournament, and a lackluster record versus the RPI top 50. Everyone expected UK to take a step back after losing Reed, but it was a disappointing season nonetheless, IMO. The team showed flashes, but was way too inconsistent and made critical mistakes frequently in every single phase of the game.
I don't know if Henderson is the right guy for the job, as he's had a little success, but has mostly missed the NCAA tournament and his teams have not done well when they've gotten there. But I'd be absolutely shocked if he's let go within the next couple of years. He was extended just last year, I believe, and when you couple the fact he's had some success (mainly talking about 2012, and to a lesser extent, 2014) and that he's done so with facilities that are laughably behind SEC peers, I just don't think it fits Barnhart's MO to let him go.
With that being the case, I think that it is critically important for the trajactory of the program that they get a new, SEC caliber stadium financed and built as soon as practicable to give the program some momentum. It's been pretty quiet on a timeline for that, so hopefully there's momentum behind the scenes to get that done. I'm of the opinion that UK's baseball program can and should compete at a higher level, and for that to happen, there will need to be a shot of positive momentum in some form or fashion some time relatively soon.
I don't know if Henderson is the right guy for the job, as he's had a little success, but has mostly missed the NCAA tournament and his teams have not done well when they've gotten there. But I'd be absolutely shocked if he's let go within the next couple of years. He was extended just last year, I believe, and when you couple the fact he's had some success (mainly talking about 2012, and to a lesser extent, 2014) and that he's done so with facilities that are laughably behind SEC peers, I just don't think it fits Barnhart's MO to let him go.
With that being the case, I think that it is critically important for the trajactory of the program that they get a new, SEC caliber stadium financed and built as soon as practicable to give the program some momentum. It's been pretty quiet on a timeline for that, so hopefully there's momentum behind the scenes to get that done. I'm of the opinion that UK's baseball program can and should compete at a higher level, and for that to happen, there will need to be a shot of positive momentum in some form or fashion some time relatively soon.
Losing to Auburn, high RPI and losing to mid-week teams that had no business beating UK. However, the Cats got screwed because Oregon got in with a high 64 RPi and South Florida got in over UK. Too much was put on the Auburn loss because UK was 14-15 in the SEC while Auburn was 13-17. Series wins over LSU and Florida both on the road just didn't matter tom a committee that had the bias vs the SEC.
I don't think Barnhart will let him go. There are enough excuses to keep him. He's got the school record for most consecutive conference tournament appearances and he consistently brings in top 25 talent. I think Barnhart can justify keeping him because he's never really been horrible. He's been average with one above average year. That's apparently reason enough to keep him around.
I don't buy into him doing great at recruiting at a school with poor facilities. While he has, Cohen did as well and it might be more of a testament to Brad Bohannon more than anyone else. I think others can easily convince the northern kids to play in the sec. Plus, his player development has, in my opinion, been dismal at best, especially with his pitching staff.
I don't buy into him doing great at recruiting at a school with poor facilities. While he has, Cohen did as well and it might be more of a testament to Brad Bohannon more than anyone else. I think others can easily convince the northern kids to play in the sec. Plus, his player development has, in my opinion, been dismal at best, especially with his pitching staff.
$$$$$$$$$$...and the ground breaking for a new stadium that had been promised forever. .
V
THIS×10..It is time for a serious effort...administration should be totally embarrassed...the only school in the conference that has never been to a Super Regional or a College World Series
Am I right or wrong that funding for Cliff Hagan Stadium upgrades was at one time attached to the proposed Commonwealth and/or Rupp funding?
I seem to remember that it was attached to a commonwealth upgrade. They asked for so much and some would be alloted to the baseball stadium, but I'm not sure what happened with that.
I know you will laugh, fire BARNEY & his boy HENDO both........He always makes slow, slow, slow decisions and waits to long to do the job he's over paid for....................![[roll]](http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/img/emoticons/classic/roll.r191677.gif "roll [roll]")
![[banana]](https://ct.yimg.com/mr/uploads/891/1682178.gif "banana [banana]")
sad end to this story
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sad end to this story....Gabe...I'm sorry, but if you don't put yourself in this spot then you don't have to worry about luck, breaks and others losing and going in the back door ...Just look at our hated little brothers to the west...I hate them , but they are getting it done...I think UK could average 4-5K a game with a competitive and exciting baseball team...Hell, my son, some friends and I try to make a couple of games a year traveling down from Louisville...The administration should be embarrassed and changes that need to be made should be done ASAP...I was in Texas Roadhouse this afternoon eating and I heard some Otis fans in there talking about looking forward to hosting the tournament and of course making fun of KENTUCKY
...A TOTAL embarrassment that we are the only school in the Sec that hasn't been to a super or a CWS...
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Making the SEC tournament and Top 25 recruiting classes don't equate with not making the tournament 5/7 yrs. How hard is it to not be in the bottom 2 in the SEC? And what good is recruiting if you can't take that talent to a measly regional? To me, making the NCAA tournament is what you shoot for. Not the SEC tournament. And here is the latest thing that was said about the new stadium: http://www.kentucky.com/2015/02/13/3693655/kentuckys-barnhart-baseball-tennis.html
The success of UofL should be movitation enough to upgrade the program. I guess it shows that you don't need top of the line facilities to bring in top-20 recruiting classes, although I agree with Comeback that Brad Bohannon is the recruiting guru of the UK staff. If a change is made in the next year or two, the new HC should really consider keeping him on staff.
You have some valid points, winning 14 games in the best conference in the country should carry some weight. The NCAA seems to take care of the fighting Phil Knights' of Oregon in several sports. We have had several seasons , especially during Keith Madisons' tenure, that we could-should have gotten an invite to the dance.
"hopeful" and "close" doesn't sound to hopeful to me...And as for needing a 1.2 million dollar ck to be written , Jurich would have that locked up in 15 minutes with the support he has behind him that MB does not...
I agree somewhat about Otis, but you play in the best baseball conference in the country and are the ONLY school to have not made a super regional or a CWS...Isn't that embarrassment enough???
New stadiums do not make up for piss poor coaching but it can help you get better coaches. But Barnhart has to be willing to get them first. Not sure he is.
Until then, UL will be the program in this state. McDonald is a great coach and their stadium is pretty sweet.
Until then, UL will be the program in this state. McDonald is a great coach and their stadium is pretty sweet.
UKbob...As I said earlier only $$$$$$$ can solve the two problems of a good coach and a new stadium...Jurich has ZERO problems finding boosters that want to have an overall top notch sports program and Mitch doesn't have that luxury...UK supporters must be the cheapest in the country unless it comes to basketball...Unless that mindset is changed somehow by someone I'm afraid things won't change anytime soon...Now I do have reservations of Mitch choosing a new coach if and when the time comes...Jurich has either a great crystal ball or is damn lucky except for the blunder with Krags...
I completely agree. Making the SEC tournament should be automatic. Heck, even making the NCAA tournament should be relatively automatic. This year 7 teams made the NCAA. Almost every year it is between 7 and 10 teams. This year there may have been one or two more if it weren't for a some conference tournament upsets like Texas and FIU. I know our league is hard, but it should be possible to at least make the upper half of the league almost every single year.
I know that in our history we don't have a lot of success at baseball, but I think we've sniffed as success and I think we've had two coaches show an ability to recruit. So, that shows me that with the right coach and the right commitment our team can and should have consistent success on the diamond. Solidifying that belief even more is the fact that Louisville is doing it and they are playing largely in the same type of weather and did so this year in the second hardest conference. All the signs show me that if we make two correct moves... facilities and coach then we can consistently be in regionals and at the very least we can be occasionally hosting them.
This in a nut shell. Basketball has ruled the roost around UK since the beginning of time it seem. As long as that mentality is changed, don't expect much change in baseball. There is a large contingent of UK fans don't care at all about any sport besides the hoops kind. Just look how long it took to really get CWS renovated. I'd venture to say that there is a large group of UK fans that couldn't tell you a thing about UK baseball.
I thought I heard one time that Doug Flynn was spearheading an effort trying to raise funds for a new stadium?
I think Hendo has found an answer for next year, he's running some of his recruits off who he didn't develope .....
![[eyeroll]](http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/img/emoticons/rolleye/rolleye0011.r191677.gif "Eye roll [eyeroll]")
I think Hendo has found an answer for next year, he's running some of his recruits off who he didn't develope .....
Who is he running off?
Honestly, if he is running some people off the clear room for this recruiting class because he thinks they will forego the draft until they are Jrs, that is good news for the team.
^^ Considering the fact that the draft is still a couple weeks away, I would not consider it a good thing to have him assuming that those guys are going to be here for 3 years. They may very well be, but until they start getting big ass checks pushed into their faces they don't really know the answer themselves.
I would think you could get a good idea though...find out their magic # and then ask around and look at mock drafts to see where they would fall and the avg signing deal.
I know a guy like Ben Revere jumped at the contract...Matt Harvey was offered like 1 mill and thought he was worth 2, so he went to UNC...Zac Cox from Lou PRP was offered in the 6-800k range but felt he was worth 7 figs so went to ARK.
I honestly do not know how they recruit the potential draftees, so I am totally guessing.
I know a guy like Ben Revere jumped at the contract...Matt Harvey was offered like 1 mill and thought he was worth 2, so he went to UNC...Zac Cox from Lou PRP was offered in the 6-800k range but felt he was worth 7 figs so went to ARK.
I honestly do not know how they recruit the potential draftees, so I am totally guessing.
He's encouraging them to move on.......easy to figure out.......check the play from this year...........![[pfftt]](https://ct.yimg.com/mr/uploads/891/1682173.gif "Pfffttt [pfftt]")
Well no offense to Combs but he's got to move on or give up whatever scholarship he has. Poor guy only had one appearance this year and gave up two walks without recording an out. He just never developed and likely has a pretty high percentage of a scholarship considering that he came in as a pretty hot prospect.
At least I'm honest.............why not go after a couple recruits, decent sluggers........we could have won a few more games if we had the BATS..........were just one good pitcher also from being a fair baseball team.......we need to light a little fire under players and coaches........and approach next season with some urgency........
.......mr obvious.........
.......mr obvious.........We know we have some good hitters returning, led by E White, J Shelby, and D Hairston. Others back who could possibly blossom are, S Wilson, Z Arnold, M Carson, T Mahan, M Gei, and although he has a low BA, G Ferres does have HR power. There are some newcomers who could certainly help, as well as Wilson, the Michigan transfer.
If Z Brown, D Beggs, if he returns, and Dwyer, Wilson, Salow, and Strecker can improve, as well as some pitchers who were RS, we could at least be in the post season conversation in 2016.
If Z Brown, D Beggs, if he returns, and Dwyer, Wilson, Salow, and Strecker can improve, as well as some pitchers who were RS, we could at least be in the post season conversation in 2016.
I think we were a fair baseball team this year. We needed a lot of help to be a good solid baseball team, but I think we were fair. A bit more power from Fettes and probably a minimum of three more good arms and we'd be darn good. Needed a midweek starter and a couple solid bullpen guys. A Chandler Shepherd type to eat up middle innings and then a stopper with at least some consistentcy would have gone a very long way.
We could be better next year but things have to fall our way and we need several young players to step up.
We could be better next year but things have to fall our way and we need several young players to step up.
Seemed like UK needed one more legitimate starter and real 3-4 hitting punch to have a pretty dang good team. I feel we have a bunch of 2-hole hitters 
...need at least 2 more guys that hit gaps and dingers. I like what Comebak said in a prior post, they need to recruit a power hitting lefty every year with the short porch in right at home.
...need at least 2 more guys that hit gaps and dingers. I like what Comebak said in a prior post, they need to recruit a power hitting lefty every year with the short porch in right at home.
