Clemson baseball: Initial list of candidates to replace Lee – why or why not?

Clemson baseball is looking for a new head coach after Monte Lee was not retained.

Clemson baseball is looking for just it’s fourth coach in the last 65 years today and, as you can imagine, people have lists.

Lots of lists.  Many with their favorite coaches on it, not necessarily ones that would consider Clemson or that Clemson would seriously consider.

First this caveat: I’m not well versed in the coaching search game and have no special knowledge that would give me any insight.

Also, I have a habit of leaning towards “that guy ain’t coming to Clemson”, but I’d be well served by taking the counsel of my VP many years ago in a startup when we were building out the staff and he told me, “You can’t assume they’ll say no. If they’re good enough, you have to ask the question.”

Also, don’t be fooled – appearances matter.  Not physical appearance, I mean the appearance of where the candidate comes from, his background and how he presents himself.

I’m also taking Graham Neff at his word – the admin believes this Clemson is a top 15 program, they know the market, have the funds and are willing to go after a coach that reflects those attributes as well as represent Clemson in a first class manner.

This will be Neff’s first major hire and one he needs to get right for obvious reasons.  Clemson baseball is on the cusp of being irrelevant and this hire needs to be on point.

Clemson baseball has plenty of big name candidates on initial list of potential head coaches

With all that said, here’s a list from a writer I trust.  I’ll comment on some of the names on Brad’s list and some from more of the more, shall we say, reaches.

Dan McDonnell — Head coach, Louisville

As I said above, you have to ask the question.  I like the way his teams play and they always look prepared.  New AD at Louisville, so maybe that’s a wild card.

Link Jarrett — Head coach, Notre Dame

Ask, but this seems like a reach to me.  That said, you can play your games in Notre Dame, Indiana or Clemson, South Carolina and Jarrett has a history in the Southeast. Intriguing and he’s a winner.  His teams are solid fundamentally and make the right play over and over.

Kevin O’Sullivan — Head coach, Florida

Ties to Clemson sure, but those get further and further in the rear view mirror each year and why leave Florida?

Chad Holbrook — Head coach, College of Charleston

Appearances matter.  A failed Gamecock coach AND a second straight College of Charleston coach?   The fans will revolt. Not a chance.

Erik Bakich – Head coach, Michigan

Interesting name with Clemson ties from long ago.  Have to ask the question.

John Szefc – Head coach, Virginia Tech

Interviewed in 2015 when Monte got the job, he’s done fantastic at Tech, but I wonder if this season’s success is sustainable.  He’s a good coach, but would not be my first option.

Cliff Godwin — Head coach, East Carolina

I’m leery of another mid-major type hire, but will to listen as this dude seemingly overachieves every year and his teams are solid.  Add in a history of Ole Miss, LSU, Vanderbilt and Notre Dame assistant and that he’s reached three Super Regionals since 2013 and I’m getting curious.

Chris Lemonis — Head coach, Mississippi State

Seems like a reach one year removed from a National Championship, but things change quickly in the SEC, just ask Ed Orgeron.

Scott Jackson – Head coach, Liberty

Admittedly I know nothing about him, but he’s on multiple lists I’ve seen and Brad has this to say:

"If you’re looking for a rising star to take over the Tigers, look no further than the Liberty head coach, who’s got the Flames in the NCAA tournament for the third time since 2019. He’s won 78 games the last two seasons and guided Liberty to one of its best baseball campaigns in school history in 2021. This year, he’s got the Flames as a No. 3 seed in the Gainesville Regional. Jackson got his coaching start as an assistant at Wofford in 2000 and spent eight seasons on Mike Fox’s staff at North Carolina. If this isn’t his time to move up, it’s still coming soon."

Justin Haire – Head coach, Campbell

I’m in pretty much the same boat as with Jackson, though I know Campbell has been making noise lately.

Brad’s take:

"The Campbell head coach has the Camels in the NCAA tournament as the three-seed in the Knoxville Regional. His program has won the Big South the last four times that the conference has crowned a regular-season champion. The 41-year-old coach has been with Campbell since 2015. He’s 235-172 overall and might be ready to move up from the mid-major level."

When you change coaches the tendency is to look for a coach with opposite characteristics of the guy you just let go.  Jack Leggett favored small ball and Monte went with the swing for the fences mentality.

I’d prefer something in between, where it’s not an all or nothing gambit on the home run and we’re also not bunting with 1 out in the second inning with a man on first down 1-0.

In my mind, if this is truly a top 15 job as Neff indicated, you don’t settle for an “up and comer” or mid-major type coach.

The fanbase is hurting and needs a jolt to revive interest and hope of championships to come.

You go big.