Ducks Attack Message Board Forum

For the record, I count this as White's eighth WCWS appearance (five with the Ducks and this was the third with Texas) in 16 years as a head softball coach. Especially given that he was building the program in his first two years in Eugene (five of his last seven years ended in the WCWS) and that in most of the other years his teams at least made it to super regionals, he's been a phenomenally successful coach, probably exceeded only by Oklahoma's Gasso.

Obviously we're rooting for Lombardi to continue elevating the program. But it still stings how it seems like the AD office didn't take White seriously when he came to them after the 2018 season.

Greenblood wrote: Sun Jun 08, 2025 12:50 pm For the record, I count this as White's eighth WCWS appearance (five with the Ducks and this was the third with Texas) in 16 years as a head softball coach. Especially given that he was building the program in his first two years in Eugene (five of his last seven years ended in the WCWS) and that in most of the other years his teams at least made it to super regionals, he's been a phenomenally successful coach, probably exceeded only by Oklahoma's Gasso.

Obviously we're rooting for Lombardi to continue elevating the program. But it still stings how it seems like the AD office didn't take White seriously when he came to them after the 2018 season.

Did they not take him seriously or did they assess the ROI and made a decision?

StevensTechU wrote: Sun Jun 08, 2025 1:25 pm

Greenblood wrote: Sun Jun 08, 2025 12:50 pm For the record, I count this as White's eighth WCWS appearance (five with the Ducks and this was the third with Texas) in 16 years as a head softball coach. Especially given that he was building the program in his first two years in Eugene (five of his last seven years ended in the WCWS) and that in most of the other years his teams at least made it to super regionals, he's been a phenomenally successful coach, probably exceeded only by Oklahoma's Gasso.

Obviously we're rooting for Lombardi to continue elevating the program. But it still stings how it seems like the AD office didn't take White seriously when he came to them after the 2018 season.

Did they not take him seriously or did they assess the ROI and made a decision?

I don't know. I'm bellyaching because we lost a terrific coach. What I'm remembering is White saying, shortly after he bolted, that he was "laughed at" when he spoke to one the AD assistants (not Mullens himself) about matching Texas's offer. I had the impression that it was White's desire to stay at Oregon had Oregon made a good-faith counteroffer. But I wasn't in the room.

He's an absolutely terrific coach/ Major loss for Uof O

StevensTechU wrote: Sun Jun 08, 2025 1:25 pm

Greenblood wrote: Sun Jun 08, 2025 12:50 pm For the record, I count this as White's eighth WCWS appearance (five with the Ducks and this was the third with Texas) in 16 years as a head softball coach. Especially given that he was building the program in his first two years in Eugene (five of his last seven years ended in the WCWS) and that in most of the other years his teams at least made it to super regionals, he's been a phenomenally successful coach, probably exceeded only by Oklahoma's Gasso.

Obviously we're rooting for Lombardi to continue elevating the program. But it still stings how it seems like the AD office didn't take White seriously when he came to them after the 2018 season.

Did they not take him seriously or did they assess the ROI and made a decision?

They weren't positioned to offer him over $500K a year back in 2018. Lombardi is only making $385K in her 7th year at Oregon, which is now around #11 for highest paid softball coaches. Every coach in the top-10 earners is in the SEC and/or has won a national title.

Also, Mullens also got tired of White continually asking for more and threatening to leave for another school even after giving him a new stadium and new contracts.

Greenblood wrote: Sun Jun 08, 2025 2:56 pm

StevensTechU wrote: Sun Jun 08, 2025 1:25 pm

Greenblood wrote: Sun Jun 08, 2025 12:50 pm For the record, I count this as White's eighth WCWS appearance (five with the Ducks and this was the third with Texas) in 16 years as a head softball coach. Especially given that he was building the program in his first two years in Eugene (five of his last seven years ended in the WCWS) and that in most of the other years his teams at least made it to super regionals, he's been a phenomenally successful coach, probably exceeded only by Oklahoma's Gasso.

Obviously we're rooting for Lombardi to continue elevating the program. But it still stings how it seems like the AD office didn't take White seriously when he came to them after the 2018 season.

Did they not take him seriously or did they assess the ROI and made a decision?

I don't know. I'm bellyaching because we lost a terrific coach. What I'm remembering is White saying, shortly after he bolted, that he was "laughed at" when he spoke to one the AD assistants (not Mullens himself) about matching Texas's offer. I had the impression that it was White's desire to stay at Oregon had Oregon made a good-faith counteroffer. But I wasn't in the room.

I guess to the point of what I'm thinking, I hold out space for the possibility that he deserves to make that much money AND it didn't make financial sense for Oregon to pay him at that level. If Portland State had a phenomenal coach, they still wouldn't pay $10 million per year because there won't be enough butts in seats to justify it. If White makes $300k more than Lombardi and potentially wanted a bigger recruiting budget, assistant salary pool, etc, is the difference in ticket sales going to make up the difference? It's the same question in all sports.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... -upheaval/

I also found the above from the time. So maybe there was no realistic chance of retaining White, whether or not the AD office didn't initially respond very professionally after the 2018 season to his communications on his future. I do think there's a pretty dedicated softball fan base the Ducks have that might well accept even a significant ticket price hike. But I suppose that still wouldn't add up to what would be needed to pay (especially what is now) the Mike White rate.

I just don't expect the Lombardi era to be anything like the White era, even if we measure it from this point forward (since she now seems to have built the program pretty close to where she wants it). I hope I'm wrong.