My son is a rhp D1 prospect. I would like the forum opinions of the importance of a pitching coach in a decision process. It would seem tenure and past success should be a factor in the overall choice for pitcher considering a program.

Raiderace

I agree fully that if the boy is a pitcher he should know all he needs to know about the pitching coach--tenure, record, relationship to the Head Coach

I also recommend that the boy attend a few games and see how the coach handles his pitchers--do not rely on the word of others

...And also understand that his services may be sought at another program and he could leave.
It is important, but you need to be happy with all aspects of the program, because he may not stay for all 4 years.

I know that when my son visited and was considering colleges...that the pitching coach factored into the equation.

And like some have said, "they could leave"...as we've already seen at one of those that was on his list early on...this had happened...

My son's background includes NOT having a true baseball coach in high school due to many factors which stemmed from a focus on football, so baseball coaches were really primarily tuned into football and with a new baseball coach each year...well, there was room for improvement.

At one college that gave him an offer...the pitching coach was distant and seemingly uninterested in son even as he was on an official visit...the hitting coach spent most of the time with son...it influenced his decision to say the least...

many things to consider...it's a part of the puzzle...

Pam

You cannot get better advice than the 3 posts above! My son was recruited by the pitching coach who then resigned and went into private business.

Since a pitcher spends 98% of his time with the pitching coach, it was an important factor in our son's decision.
However, things change in this business mighty quickly so be sure that you like the school, program philosophy, team players and other coaches when making your decision. The Head Coach is the man who is ultimately responsible for your son's welfare and development, make sure that plays an important role as well.

The pitching coach is extremely important because as a college pitcher, you spend about 80-90% of your time only with the pitchers (without considering the wonderful time of roaming the outfield during BP (Note: extreme sarcasm)). Therefore, the pitching you need to know the pitching coach's techniques, attitude, and how he handles different pitchers (starters, relievers, older, younger).

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The Head Coach is the man who is ultimately responsible for your son's welfare and development, make sure that plays an important role as well.

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I agree 100% here with Tiger Paw Mom ... altho the pitching coach is critical in the decision making process (my opinion), remember that things change quickly in this business of college baseball. Our son was recruited heavily by 2 schools ... one had a pitching coach that our son (and his folks) thought was absolutely wonderful and would have been the main factor had our son chosen to pursue their offer while the other school did not have a pitching coach at the time our son was recruited, but he really liked the head coach immensely.

He opted for the school without a pitching coach. End result: the school with the pitching coach fired the head coach and all of the assistant coaches were dismissed as well when the new coach brought in his own staff. The school our son signed with hired a pitching coach in the summer before he started college and he did extremely well with the new coach.

Many factors affect a decision but just as many factors can change the complexion of the program after the player has signed. Therefore, I recommend that he weigh ALL the factors before making a decision ... and not limit his decision to the pitching coach alone.

JMHO

Without quoting numbers, most of the pitching coaches that recruited our player are no longer in that position at that particular school. One school will be on the 4th pitching coach in 4 years.....when his, or her, hiring is announced. If it is used as a criteria, beware.

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Originally posted by Dad04:
Without quoting numbers, most of the pitching coaches that recruited our player are no longer in that position at that particular school. One school will be on the 4th pitching coach in 4 years.....when his, or her, hiring is announced. If it is used as a criteria, beware.

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This may have something to do with why I am going to a school where the head coach is the pitching coach and has been there for 10 years and has a 14 year old son and his hometown is the town the school is in.