Cliff Godwin

[MSUDC11]

There seems to be a rising sense that he is the guy if McDonnell turns us down.

He helped Ole Miss get to Omaha so he’s pretty much a miracle worker. And he’s done very well at ECU. Obviously it wouldn’t be the huge name hire many have been banking on, but I think he would do very well here.

Thoughts?

 

[RiverCityDawg]

I think that would be a fine hire if Cohen hadn't set expectations much higher. I would be a bit bummed but ready to support him.

 

[messageboardsuperhero]

I’ll say what I posted on ED yesterday...

Godwin is a good coach and had you told me when this first started in February that he was going to be the hire, I would have been really pleased. Here’s the problem- Cohen has been running his mouth the last couple of months about how we had hall of fame coaches interested, we are going to hire a coach who has made tripS to Omaha, he will have extensive head coaching experience at the highest level, he will make everyone very happy, etc. Cohen has set himself up for fallout if it is not a McDonnell/Tadlock type.

So while I really like Godwin and think he wouldn’t end up being a disappointment long-term- hiring him would be a disappointment on the front end because of the things John has said publicly... And I don’t think you can necessarily blame the fanbase for that. I have faith in Cohen, but if it’s not a sitting P5 coach like McDonnell, Tadlock, or Corbin, he will deserve some of the negativity that comes his way. Hiring Godwin would not at all be a bad hire, but it probably wouldn’t be received initially by fans in the manner that it should- and that would be on Cohen.

 

[patdog]

I think that would be a fine hire if Cohen hadn't set expectations much higher. I would be a bit bummed but ready to support him.

And this is why Cohen shouldn't have run his mouth so much about the great hire he is going to make. Cliff Godwin would be an outstanding hire. But Cohen set the bar so high, a lot of people would be pissed if we had to "settle" for him. All you need to say is "we have a lot of outstanding candidates and I'm sure MSU fans are going to be pleased with who we hire."

 

[MSUDC11]

I’ll say what I posted on ED yesterday...

Godwin is a good coach and had you told me when this first started in February that he was going to be the hire, I would have been really pleased. Here’s the problem- Cohen has been running his mouth the last couple of months about how we had hall of fame coaches interested, we are going to hire a coach who has made tripS to Omaha, he will have extensive head coaching experience at the highest level, he will make everyone very happy, etc. Cohen has set himself up for fallout if it is not a McDonnell/Tadlock type.

So while I really like Godwin and think he wouldn’t end up being a disappointment long-term- hiring him would be a disappointment on the front end because of the things John has said publicly... And I don’t think you can necessarily blame the fanbase for that. I have faith in Cohen, but if it’s not a sitting P5 coach like McDonnell, Tadlock, or Corbin, he will deserve some of the negativity that comes his way. Hiring Godwin would not at all be a bad hire, but it probably wouldn’t be received initially by fans in the manner that it should- and that would be on Cohen.

I think that’s a fair assessment. There would be some frustration on the front end, but if he wins like I think he probably would then it’s a moot point.

 

[o_dawgnabit]

Kendall Rogers said this morning that this who he thinks we get. He said McDonnell is a very serious candidate but he believes he stays put and we get Godwin

 

[00Dawg]

Color me unimpressed.

He's at a traditional baseball power and not raising the standard.

 

[MSUDawgFan86]

Welp gonna be the first strike against Cohen for me. That would be him not delivering on what he said. I love him as AD but that’s a disappointing hire. If it works out great but that’s not anywhere close to what he said.

 

[patdog]

It's an outstanding hire if that's who we wind up with.

 

[o_dawgnabit]

I think he would be a great hire had Cohen not come out and made the statements he has made.

 

[Junction John]

Sometimes circumstances change, and leaders have to adapt. I think something changed with Schloss.

He could/should have waited and not given all those details publicly, and I'm sure given another chance he would change what he said. But I have no doubt Cohen will hire the right guy.

 

[Trojanbulldog19]

I would be disappointed if that is who we end up with. Cohen set the bar really high with what he said coming out of the gate in the coaching search. Hell, I have really high expectations. We should be getting someone with lots CWS experience. We are about to make our third super appearance in a row, and this year it's going to be with an interim coach. If you can't pull a McDonnell or a Corbin, you might as well stick with Henderson if you want someone without head coach experience in the CWS. At least he has stuck with the team and turned them around this year and made something out of nothing. The players obviously like him. Henderson obviously isn't who i'm rooting for, but I would rather him be the coach coming off at least a Super Regional than someone that's not a sitting head coach with CWS experience in that position. Godwin might still be at ECU in a few years if we want to go that route or we absolutely have to if we can't pull a big name. This hire is really huge for our program to go to the next level and not go backward. Do you really want to turn the keys over to the program again to someone that doesn't have a lot of big time CWS experience at the head coaching level with a brand new 60 mil stadium and the SEC probably the best it's ever been competition wise? I'll support the guy and the program either way, but it would just be very disappointing if we have to settle for an up-and-comer like Godwin rather than a proven HC at CWS level like McDonnell or Corbin. Just really hope we can pull one of those guys away since Schloss backed out.

 

[MSUDC11]

He's at a traditional baseball power and not raising the standard.

Traditional baseball power? ECU is a solid program but they’ve never been to Omaha. They had hosted one Regional and been to one Super ever before Godwin got there, and he’s accomplished both of those things in just a few short years. Ole Miss fans adored him when he was in Oxford. The national media is really high on him as well.

He’s not Dan McDonnell, but if McDonnell says no then he’s a really good alternative.

 

[deadheaddawg]

If that's who we end up with it's pretty clear Cohen got taken for a ride by agents. I thought he was smarter than that. Look at what he said. The first line in particular makes me think agents for top coaches contacted him and he bought it hook line and sinker.

I hope not and I hope he comes through

"The interest for this job has been above my expectations. We've had interest from Hall of Fame coaches"

"The coaches we are considering make a lot of money. This position will pay at the top of the scale"

"I will tell you this, this person is going to have serious baseball experience as a head coach. This person is going to have made trips to Omaha, Nebraska. This person is going to have expertise in an area of the game and in all facets of the game. And this person is going to make our fan base very happy?

 

[Shamoan]

if mcdonnel turns us down, i go after butch 100%. he is building something at auburn and as we know, he can develop the hell out of some players. i bet casey mize would attribute a great deal of his success to butch. He can bring in a top 10 recruiting class (2017 class was 7th according to perfect game) AND develop talent. he is the whole package AND a great human being that knows baseball. nobody will be able to get him from auburn if a season or two passes and they sustain their success. auburn is building something special and if you cant see that, you are blind. he has turned that program around in 2 years and they are going to be a force in this conference and nationally...they already are.

 

[Trojanbulldog19]

I also think Butch would be a huge hire if we can't get McDonnell. Convince Gautreau to stay on and you have of of the best pitching and hitting coaching combo's in the country. Our pitching staff was the best it's ever been under him. Think about all the guys on that squad that went pro that were pitchers. If we can't get someone with HC exp in CWS. I would want him.

 

[xxxWalkTheDawg]

**

Lol. Wrong thread

 

[BossDawg78]

Kendall Rogers said this morning that this who he thinks we get. He said McDonnell is a very serious candidate but he believes he stays put and we get Godwin

Wow.

 

[BossDawg78]

I think that would be a fine hire if Cohen hadn't set expectations much higher. I would be a bit bummed but ready to support him.

No ****. What happened to all this "multiple trips to Omaha" talk? I hope I'm wrong, but I had a feeling all along that this would be an astronomical letdown for State fans.

 

[Cubswillwinitonedaydawg]

He's at a traditional baseball power and not raising the standard.

"Traditional baseball power" ?? ECU has literally never made the CWS. They have made some regionals, but it's not like they are a Fullerton type program. He has made a regional 3 of his 4 years, including a regional host this year and a super regional a year or 2 ago. Has ties to our area too. We'd all be pretty giddy if we hadn't got our minds so set on Schloss or McDonnell.

 

[the dog is on the loose]

My question is that did Schoss actually back out? I read a lot of stuff and it looked by what he said that he was leaving TCU but was he in fact offered our job and turned it down?

 

[Cubswillwinitonedaydawg]

No ****. What happened to all this "multiple trips to Omaha" talk? I hope I'm wrong, but I had a feeling all along that this would be an astronomical letdown for State fans.

Multiple trips to Omaha doesn't have to mean as a head coach. Poorly worded though, as it followed up a sentence about head coaching experience and he had to know we would all assume just head coach trips.

 

[deadheaddawg]

Multiple trips to Omaha doesn't have to mean as a head coach. Poorly worded though, as it followed up a sentence about head coaching experience and he had to know we would all assume just head coach trips.

It does mean head coach when you look at everything he said
1) hall of fame coaches are interested
2) The coaches we are considering make a lot of money. This position will pay at the top of the scale
3) And this person is going to make our fan base very happy
4) this person is going to have serious baseball experience as a head coach. This person is going to have made trips to Omaha, Nebraska. This person is going to have expertise in an area of the game and in all facets of the game

He clearly meant head coach experience

 

[HotMop]

Does he prefer Blondes? ***

 

[dawgphd]

Godwin would be a superb hire.

Great recruiter with a fiery attitude and a sharp baseball mind.

 

[blacklistedbully]

I'm on record here a month ago saying Godwin is a guy who would be on my short list.

That said your statement in incorrect. ECU had been to 3 Super Regionals in an 8 year stretch from 2001 through 2009. Cliff got there in 2015. Each of the previous 3 coaches won a regional and went to a Super.

 

[blacklistedbully]

Again, I like Godwin as a candidate. But your post is a little misleading, IMO.

Cliff has made a regional 3 of 4 years, including 1 Super. Prior to Cliff, Billy Godwin went to a regional 5 of 9 years, with 1 Super. Prior to Billy, Mazey went to 3 in 3 years with 1 Super. Prior to Mazey, LeClair went to 4 in 5 years with 1 Super.

I think it's pretty safe to say East Carolina is well beyond a "solid program", given all 3 previous coaches had the same kind of success Cliff has had.

 

[Go Budaw]

Welp gonna be the first strike against Cohen for me. That would be him not delivering on what he said. I love him as AD but that’s a disappointing hire. If it works out great but that’s not anywhere close to what he said.

I think you and a lot of other people twisted Cohen’s words a bit too much. He never said “We are 100% hiring somebody who has multiple trips to Omaha and has many years experience as a power conference head coach, and those are the only people we will consider.” He would have been a damn fool to guarantee something like that months before the actual hiring timeframe. He simply stated those were criteria he was targeting in potential candidates and those were credentials of some individuals who had expressed interest in the job. The smoke with Schloss / McDonnell proves that statement and that interest from those coaches to be 100% fact. But at the end of the day, you can’t hold someone at gunpoint to take a job. He set the bar as high as he could, and it’s still pretty damn high with Godwin even if our first 2-3 coaches say no.

 

[G-Dawg]

Everyone needs to back down just a minute. Is there a chance that Schlossnagle was in the bag until John got some bad news from Ft. Worth and that caused him to shy away? Can't blame him for not wanting to get CANNIZARO'D again.

 

[jwdawg]

Don't rule out O'Connor at UVA

NM

 

[Shmuley]

^^^ This has a JackAtShelter feel to it. First post. 6 year lurker.

 

[Trojanbulldog19]

noticed that. interesting. O'Conner would definitely fit Cohen's description and definitely an under the radar type pick because of all the attention to Corbin, Schlossnagle, and McDonnell. Not sure if he would leave UVA, but he might.

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

Will he bring John Grisham back with him?

 

[fang]

Which coach was responsible for all the ‘Tommy John’ surgery’s. last year?

 

[Go Budaw]

No ****. What happened to all this "multiple trips to Omaha" talk? I hope I'm wrong, but I had a feeling all along that this would be an astronomical letdown for State fans.

Godwin has been to Omaha multiple times as an assistant.

 

[muddawgs]

Wes Johnson

 

[deadheaddawg]

I think you and a lot of other people twisted Cohen’s words a bit too much. He never said “We are 100% hiring somebody who has multiple trips to Omaha and has many years experience as a power conference head coach, and those are the only people we will consider.” He would have been a damn fool to guarantee something like that months before the actual hiring timeframe. He simply stated those were criteria he was targeting in potential candidates and those were credentials of some individuals who had expressed interest in the job. The smoke with Schloss / McDonnell proves that statement and that interest from those coaches to be 100% fact. But at the end of the day, you can’t hold someone at gunpoint to take a job. He set the bar as high as he could, and it’s still pretty damn high with Godwin even if our first 2-3 coaches say no.

You are right. He didn't guarantee it. But he did say hall of fame coaches were interested and we Are going to pay at the top of the pay scale.

So if he doesn't get one of those kinda people then he couldn't close the deal.

Absolutely no twisting of words involved

 

[kendesu]

I haven't heard his name tossed around much. But when I first knew we were looking for a new coach he was the first person I thought of. This was his 15th year at Virginia and first year to miss the tournament.

2009-2015:
6 Supers in 7 years
4 CWS appearances
2 CWS championship series appearances
1 national title

I have no idea if he is/was a viable candidate.

 

[bulldogcountry1]

I'm sure Cohen regrets making those statements, but he did. I'd like to know what, exactly, he was hearing to give that much confidence, but that's beside the point. He promised us an elite coach and asked us to be patient. It's been months with very little concrete info. There's only 16 teams still playing, and the draft is all but over. Unless our next coach is one of those 16, something needs to happen. The timing is perfect for us to make a big hire. The major problem is that there are some great coaches out there who wouldn't satisfy our fan base right now, and the immediate reaction will be ugly. It's almost an impossible situation.

 

[Thirty-Two Dive]

Which coach was responsible for all the ‘Tommy John’ surgery’s. last year?

Verne Troyer