Re: Kleist transfers
Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 7:59 am
Hi all, Longhorn visitor to your site. I found this forum because of the hiring of Mike White and the flurry of transfers I've been learning about on twitter. So, excuse the longwinded introduction and background to follow.
After our new AD took over, I wrote him an email telling him that UT Softball had to undergo a "re-evaluation" as Connie Clark had essentially run out of coaching "steam". Also, as a long time season ticket holder, I was
fed up and giving up my tickets for the next year. The AD (email lackey) responded back that "all aspects of the program are being evaluated". Connie was in the last year of her contract and he essentially told her
that he was not renewing her contract and that was when she stepped down.
I was shocked to find that Mike White, who just finished another WCWS, left Oregon for Texas. I mean, Oregon was loaded for next year. But as he mentioned, he has to take care of his family. Well, money does talk,
especially since he's close to the same age as me and has kids roughly the same age as mine. You have to consider that if his pay was doubled coming to Texas, then for every year he works in Austin, it's the equivalent
of working two years in Eugene.
As expected, when he arrived we started seeing some sudden "God has new plans for me" twitter announcements. Players that had committed to Connie Clark when they were sophmores were being told by White's
staff that they were "going in a new direction". In other words, sorry no scholarship for you (this affected 3 players). And on the flip side, we're suddenly got last minute signings from players we'd never heard of.
Okay, new coach. His job depends on the team's success and he should shop for his own groceries.
Then, the transfers from Oregon started happening and also the fact that OU is our main nemesis, we know A LOT about them and their coaching staff.
First, while it is kinda nice (?) to get these really good players from Oregon, ummmmm we have a pretty big team and the effect of getting Oregon transfers is that we're waiting for the other shoe to drop - the transfers
out of Texas. The fans and some high school coaches were looking at Connie's last few years when we had 4 and then 5 pitchers and shaking their heads. 5 pitchers on a staff? No consistent starter and
not enough playing time, which led to inconsistent play. Now with the transfers and the newly signed players, we are again at 5 pitchers. So, while I can't speak to if White was luring his ex-players to Texas,
I can tell you it's putting stress on the older players on the team. There was one outspoken player Dad who was no fan of Connie because she didn't play his daughter enough. With White coming he
was estatic because he thought Mike would give everyone a fresh slate. Now it's dawning on them that, well Mike might give preference to his former players. I'm surprised that with the new October portal
not one player has transferred - yet.
Second, your new coach. Wow. I thought it was an interesting hire. We don't know much about Lombardi, except she was Patti's assistant for forever. BTW, I thought that OU would be going downhill
because Patti's gone to a bit of nepotism when it comes to hiring. One of her assistant coaches is her son. I thought Lombardi would put in the OU model of coaching, which is pretty solid. Find fantastic
pitching from around the country, very solid hitting and fielding. The only weakness they have is base running. But to hear some of the rumored reasons for players leaving? That's.....odd. But maybe Lombardi's
been chomping on the bit wanting to implement things in a way that Patti would never implement. I mean OU's a conservative place, but I don't recall hearing anything about a dress code for players.
Anyway, good luck with your year. I'll be watching out of pure curiosity.
After our new AD took over, I wrote him an email telling him that UT Softball had to undergo a "re-evaluation" as Connie Clark had essentially run out of coaching "steam". Also, as a long time season ticket holder, I was
fed up and giving up my tickets for the next year. The AD (email lackey) responded back that "all aspects of the program are being evaluated". Connie was in the last year of her contract and he essentially told her
that he was not renewing her contract and that was when she stepped down.
I was shocked to find that Mike White, who just finished another WCWS, left Oregon for Texas. I mean, Oregon was loaded for next year. But as he mentioned, he has to take care of his family. Well, money does talk,
especially since he's close to the same age as me and has kids roughly the same age as mine. You have to consider that if his pay was doubled coming to Texas, then for every year he works in Austin, it's the equivalent
of working two years in Eugene.
As expected, when he arrived we started seeing some sudden "God has new plans for me" twitter announcements. Players that had committed to Connie Clark when they were sophmores were being told by White's
staff that they were "going in a new direction". In other words, sorry no scholarship for you (this affected 3 players). And on the flip side, we're suddenly got last minute signings from players we'd never heard of.
Okay, new coach. His job depends on the team's success and he should shop for his own groceries.
Then, the transfers from Oregon started happening and also the fact that OU is our main nemesis, we know A LOT about them and their coaching staff.
First, while it is kinda nice (?) to get these really good players from Oregon, ummmmm we have a pretty big team and the effect of getting Oregon transfers is that we're waiting for the other shoe to drop - the transfers
out of Texas. The fans and some high school coaches were looking at Connie's last few years when we had 4 and then 5 pitchers and shaking their heads. 5 pitchers on a staff? No consistent starter and
not enough playing time, which led to inconsistent play. Now with the transfers and the newly signed players, we are again at 5 pitchers. So, while I can't speak to if White was luring his ex-players to Texas,
I can tell you it's putting stress on the older players on the team. There was one outspoken player Dad who was no fan of Connie because she didn't play his daughter enough. With White coming he
was estatic because he thought Mike would give everyone a fresh slate. Now it's dawning on them that, well Mike might give preference to his former players. I'm surprised that with the new October portal
not one player has transferred - yet.
Second, your new coach. Wow. I thought it was an interesting hire. We don't know much about Lombardi, except she was Patti's assistant for forever. BTW, I thought that OU would be going downhill
because Patti's gone to a bit of nepotism when it comes to hiring. One of her assistant coaches is her son. I thought Lombardi would put in the OU model of coaching, which is pretty solid. Find fantastic
pitching from around the country, very solid hitting and fielding. The only weakness they have is base running. But to hear some of the rumored reasons for players leaving? That's.....odd. But maybe Lombardi's
been chomping on the bit wanting to implement things in a way that Patti would never implement. I mean OU's a conservative place, but I don't recall hearing anything about a dress code for players.
Anyway, good luck with your year. I'll be watching out of pure curiosity.