While it’s Brynes’ m.o. to find an up-and-comer on a bargain deal, I have a feeling (nothing more than that) that this hire might not go that route. After the last 2 situations with Bama baseball coaches basically being fired for off the field reasons, I think it is really important to get a guy with an established track record. Not just wins and loses, but treatment of players, how he handles himself off the field, etc. It’s easy to find a young assistant who looks like he checks all the boxes, but it’s another level of confidence to find a guy who has actually been in change of a program and has an actual track record in all facets that can be verified by deep vetting.
IMO, would also help if the new hire has SEC experience (something I think is pretty important for a baseball hire), has shown a track record for developing players, and has a plan for the disadvantages Alabama faces on the scholarship and NIL front. If the coach doesn't have SEC experience, that shouldn't be a deal breaker, but some familiarity would certainly be a positive... and having an assistant(s) on the staff that has been in the SEC would be highly recommended IMO.
I’m not against a former Bama guy joining the coaching staff if he’s qualified, and not just there because he’s a “Bama Guy”... and I’m not sure how many of those guys there are out there. As much as I like and respect Andy Phillips, that wasn’t the best idea (though I liked it at the time). One guy I’ve heard positive things about it Matt Downs, who is the HC at Marion Military Institute. The additional coaching spot also comes into play after this year. If Bama were to hire a younger coach (think baseball version of Oats), I'd be very tempted to treat that spot like a bench coach, if you could find the right fit.
The good news is, the new head coach will inherit a pretty good situation. A good core group of players are set to return, including some really good young arms. The key is keeping those guys, as other schools are actively trying to poach them and that will only get worse when the season ends. Really important for Bama to stay in the tournament as long as possible, to help minimize some of that contact until another coach is brought in to try and corral them. But hopefully we can keep most of those guys, keep the recruits that the new guy wants, and fill in the roster with transfers where we have holes or need upgrades.
As for some names? I'd hope some guys like this would be looked at....
-Cliff Godwin (East Carolina): His name comes up a lot with bigger jobs and was a name mentioned last time around when Bohannon was hired. A veteran coach who would be instant impact. The feeling is he will eventually leave ECU for a bigger job but it is going to have to be one that he really wants because he's an ECU alum and has built something really nice there. Sooner or later, he will end up in the SEC though IMO.
-Dan McDonnell (Louisville): Another guy, like Godwin, who gets linked to bigger jobs and has a nice dated resume. He's been HC at Louisville since 2007 and has over 700 wins (was an assistant at Ole Miss before that). His teams find their way into the postseason, including 4 CWS appearances since 2013. He's making over $1 million per season, so Byrne would have to make a big financial commitment here.
-Rob Vaughn (Maryland): If Byrne does go the young guy route, I'd have to believe that Vaughn will get a very close look. He's only 35 years old, but has been HC for the Terps since 2018... was an assistant there before that. He was the Big Ten COTY last season. On the field, his teams don't lack offense. Negative is zero SEC experience.
-Justin Haire (Campbell): Another young guy, at just 42 years old. He has been at the helm of Campbell since 2015, so he's got some experience under his belt. He is good evaluator of talent and has been named the Big South COTY 3 times. Haire's teams are offense heavy and they play with a style that would translate well to the SEC. His team is likely headed for their 5th straight conference title (and regional appearance). One possible strike against him, besides his lack of SEC experience, is he is a former Greg Goff assistant (he replaced Goff at Campbell).
-Tom Walter (Wake Forest): Has been leading Wake Forest since 2010. It took him a few years, but he's turned Wake into top program in a tough league... Wake is currently the #1 ranked team D1Baseball. Walter has no SEC experience, but the ACC is at least comparable, so I wouldn't be concerned there. He's a very well respected coach who would bring immediate credibility back to the Alabama job. Side note, dude once donated a kidney to one of his own players.
