In no particular order

John Pawlowski - College of Charlston
Bobby Pierce - Troy University
Rich Maloney - Michigan University
Bill Mosicllo - Southern Califorina (reported to have left USC for Auburn Assistant)
Dave Serrano - UC Irvine
Dan McDonnel - Louisville
Gary Gilmore - Coastal Carolina
Kevin Cooney - Florida Atlantic University

Do you believe that our next coach will come from the above list? I believe that the eight above have all been reported as having some type of contact, either permission from AD and some have already made the trip to Knoxville for the interview.

A number of others got feelers and judged the interest from Hamilton and won't interview.

Anyone know of someone else that you've heard is in line for an offical interview?

Comments/Questions/Answers

Look for Pawlowski's name to keep popping up----decision could come in first week of July

Look for the position to be filled no more than one week after the College World Series is complete. From what I have been told it will be Dave Serrano or Bobby Pierce. They already have players wanting to transfer, the 2007 recruiting class is not the best, and they are way behind on the 2008 class.

There are a lot of folks who are much-better informed than I am.

It is interesting, though, how many different opinions I've read about who the front-runners are.

We're reading Pawlowski, Pierce, and Serrano here. Over at gridscape.com we've got someone talking about Maloney.

cbg - when you say "they already have players wanting to transfer", are you referring to Tennessee, or to the schools where the coaching candidates currently reside?

I just don't see Serrano, he has a good thing going and is a west coast guy. Whoever it is UT's going to have to ante up. RD was one of the lowest paid coaches in the SEC. From the list above I'd think Pierce is the guy.

Bizazz,

Some of the Tennessee players are looking to leave before the August deadline.

Serrano,

I heard him speaking with Jim Rome this afternoon and he sounds like a person that really likes the West Coast and his players. However, I have been told that he makes around $100,000.00 and lives in Orange County, CA which is much more expensive that Knoxville, TN. It would probably cost Tennessee around $225,000.00 plus bonuses for Serrano, $85,000.00 for the 2nd assistant, and $70,000.00 for the 3rd assistant in salaries alone. Tennessee would probably have to agree to do the renovation of the stadium ASAP among several other things.

IMO, you could hire Serrano or Pierce and not go wrong.

I have been following these threads with interest and really appreciate the insider information. My son's coach is Gary Gilmore and imho is one of the best Coaches in the nation having won 50 games now two out of the last three years.

That said here is my take:

It seems obvious to me that Serrano is their guy and will be the next coach at Tennessee. If Pierce or someone else were the guy, they would already be the guy. The only thing holding all this up is the College World Series. I am sure Tennessee is shrewd enough to glean through back door channels that Serrano is indeed already interested in the postion. Otherwise, they would have already named someone. I'll be shocked if anyone other than Serrano is named head coach.

Until it happens it is all toilet room stall talk !!!!

With the change in transfer rules I can certainly understand why some players would be a little anxious.

Having said that, I hope those that are considering transferring will be willing to talk with the new coach, and see if there is still a mutual fit.

Cleveland makes an interesting point. It's obvious that there's still some careful consideration on Tennessee's part re: coaches in Omaha. Whether that's Serrano, McDonnel, or someone else, only time will tell.

That doesn't mean someone else isn't in prime contention. It could be Mike Hamilton is comfortable with another candidate, but wants to be 100% sure by talking with the remaining candidates.

IMO, Hamilton has a list and knows that he is going to offer the job to the number 1 person on his list & if that person turns the job down he will offer the job to the 2nd person on his list. Serrano is probably the #1 selection with Pierce being the #2 man. However, it is going to be difficult to get Serrano to leave UCI after the magical run they have had this season and him being a West Coach person but I don't feel that UCI will be able to pay him what he would make @ Tennessee. He fully understands Tennessee (was the pitching coach for a short time) and what it would be like to live and coach in Knoxville.

Pierce on the other hand is a small town man that played in the SEC (Alabama) and would probably crawl from Troy to Knoxville for the opportunity to coach the University of Tennessee.

By waiting until after the College World Series Mike Hamilton will be able to make more of a splash with the announcement where if he named any coach today it would be buried in the back of the newspaper.

Interviewed 4 People that I know of:

Bobby Pierce - Troy University
Gary Gilmore - Coastal Carolina
___________- Tampa
Todd Raleigh- Western Carolina

Talked to UC Irvine's Serrano and he said he was interested but he would like to wait until after the World Series. Big orange must not have been willing to wait. Press conference scheduled for Friday at 3:00.It is my understanding that Todd Raleigh from Western has ties to Clemson and that is where Hamilton has ties also. I was hoping the orange would stay away from the Clemson ties. Interviewing done by Hamilton,Tegano, Currie, and someone in Marketing. Not a lot of baseball knowledge I would think.

Camp money is head coaches discretion, equipment money radio ect, total package has to be 300-400k
base salary is a minor part

Update 11:00am Press conference Thursday. Todd Raleigh from Western Carolina to be named new TN baseball coach. What a joke.

I am not aware of any ties Todd Raleigh has to Clemson--this would be an absolute shock. I'll believe it when I see it. On the other hand, Pawlowski does have ties to Clemson having gone to school there --as did Hamilton. Who knows what will happen.

Knoxville Paper is reporting Todd Raleigh from Western Carolina.

what the heck?? are you kidding?? why not go by one of the youth fields and interview a coach! is this some kind of joke?? Go ahead and get the transfer papers ready!

quote:

Originally posted by team1tpx:
I am not aware of any ties Todd Raleigh has to Clemson--this would be an absolute shock. I'll believe it when I see it. On the other hand, Pawlowski does have ties to Clemson having gone to school there --as did Hamilton. Who knows what will happen.

Who coached Raleigh when he played at Western? Leggett and where does he coach? Clemson

quote:

Originally posted by team1tpx:
what the heck?? are you kidding?? why not go by one of the youth fields and interview a coach! is this some kind of joke?? Go ahead and get the transfer papers ready!

Mike Hamilton made a good choice with Bruce Pearl so don't write off Raleigh until you see what he can do. Some of the best decisions are not the most popular decisions. I have a hunch that $$$$ played a major role is several people not wanting the job the same as Pearl was not the top choice due to finances.

Obviously, money must be an issue or a real bad hangover!
Too many other candidates to be considered. If you want success you have too spend the money. I looked at the list and Serrano was the best guy there.
I give Raleigh 3 years and there will be another change.
This was a great chance to hire a great coach like Florida has with Coach O'Sullivan.
Forget the ties with Clemsen.
If your going to fire Rod then at least get a better coach that has success. (Its called upgrading, folks) Two trips in eight years at Western doesn't get it.
I know Coach Raleigh and he isn't a Bruce Pearl if that is the model of coaches at UT.
Raleigh does well recruiting in Ga. & Carolina. Baseball needs more than Regional recruiting and should posture itself like football and basketball.
Hey everyone deserves a chance but call the bookies and bet on three years and a change.
Hammy did well with Bruce, but was a sleep at the wheel on this decision.

bhop32

Is that an opinion or a statement based on fact ?---Watch what Raleigh does and lets see hwo he brings with him to recruit---he had a real good one in Western with Filipek


If you can bring kids to the woods on ther outskirts of the Indian Reservation and win I think he will do fine in Knoxville