Butch over Godwin

o_dawgnabit

All-American
Oct 13, 2016
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After looking at it, I'm not sure Godwin is as good of a hire as butch would be. Just look at ECU's recent history..




1998–2002 Keith LeClair 212-96-1 .688
2003–2005 Randy Mazey 120-66-1 .644
2006–2014 Billy Godwin 317-214-1 .597
2015–present Cliff Godwin 110-73-1 .601


Of all these coaches, Mazey is the only one to continue coach after ECU and he was an assistant for 7 years and has now been the HC for West Virginia since 2013 and has only made a regional once in 2017. So obviously, ECU has had success for a while and I don't see where Godwin has elevated that program. (This is just based off of my 10 minutes of research)
 

Xenomorph

All-American
Feb 15, 2007
15,783
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Definitely prefer Butch. Get somebody who understands the program. Ready to win. ...and set Auburn back again at the same time. Win/Win.
 

Xenomorph

All-American
Feb 15, 2007
15,783
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In about 4 days I think there's a good chance he has a CWS trip on his resume...
 

Trojanbulldog19

All-American
Aug 25, 2014
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I would be better with Butch than Godwin. I know what his pitching staffs look like and how good they were when he fas here. He knows msu and what we expect. Its no fluke what he has done at Auburn.
 

MSUDC11

Redshirt
Aug 23, 2012
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I think both would do really well here. Most people prefer Butch because he’s the devil we know versus the devil we don’t.

That said, Godwin would still be a really strong hire. It’s not going to please 100% of the fan base initially, but I’m telling you, this guy is a dang good coach. And many national experts think the same.
 

Go Budaw

Redshirt
Aug 22, 2012
7,321
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Good analysis. I think ECU as a program has a bit of a glass ceiling with them being surrounded by Clemson, USCe, Coastal Carolina, UGA / Tech, etc. It’s very difficult to consistently get elite talent in there with all those big name programs in close proximity, and LeClair / Mazey didn’t have to deal with the monsters that USC / Coastal have become in the past 10-15 years. It’s a lot more difficult to win there than it used to be. I think 3 regionals in 4 years plus a super is about maxing out what you can do there, currently. I also like his recruiting ties to MS / LA, and think that is a big selling point.

Honestly speaking, I’d be fine with Godwin or Butch. Both would have a pretty high ceiling at MSU I think. Still trust Cohen to make the right call if we are lucky enough to choose either of them.
 
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Dawg1976

All-Conference
Aug 22, 2012
8,223
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If AU goes to CWS they will probably throw more money at Butch before losing him to us. I don't think he is a slam dunk either.
 

wayneland5025

Redshirt
Mar 1, 2008
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How are you guys so sure that Butch would even want to leave Auburn? He seems to have a good thing going there and he knows there would be much more pressure on him with us.
 
Aug 22, 2012
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After looking at it, I'm not sure Godwin is as good of a hire as butch would be. Just look at ECU's recent history..


1998–2002 Keith LeClair 212-96-1 .688
2003–2005 Randy Mazey 120-66-1 .644
2006–2014 Billy Godwin 317-214-1 .597
2015–present Cliff Godwin 110-73-1 .601


Of all these coaches, Mazey is the only one to continue coach after ECU and he was an assistant for 7 years and has now been the HC for West Virginia since 2013 and has only made a regional once in 2017. So obviously, ECU has had success for a while and I don't see where Godwin has elevated that program. (This is just based off of my 10 minutes of research)

Your post is a bit misleading.
It would be difficult for Keith to keep coaching, since he died from ALS. That's why he resigned after 02.
Billy has been a scout and worked in the Yankees organization in the minors. So still in baseball.


You are right that ECU is a pretty solid baseball program. They have been to more regionals than 8 SEC schools, including Ole Miss, Vandy, Alabama and Auburn. They have been to as many regionals (14) as we have since 2000. They have hosted 4 regionals prior to Cliff (had to host in Wilson and Kinston because the stadium was too small), have went to 4 Supers and hosted a Super in Kinston. Obviously, not elite, but they are a solid program.

The program fell off under Billy G. Cliff has brought it back up to where they were when LeClair was there. I worked at ECU after graduating from MSU, keep up with the program still & talk to friends back in Greenville. They really like Cliff. He seems to have brought a buzz back to ECU. I think he would be a solid hire. I have no idea if he would be better or worse than Butch, but I think he would be successful here.
 
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Shamoan

Redshirt
Jun 27, 2013
12,466
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I don't get the pressure aspect. Polk 2 and Cohen were allowed to flounder for a while. Both were given time to figure their way out.
 

VegasDawg13

Freshman
Jun 11, 2007
2,191
80
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I don't get the pressure aspect. Polk 2 and Cohen were allowed to flounder for a while. Both were given time to figure their way out.
Cohen made a Super in his third year, and the ******* stadium was named after Polk.
 

vandaldawg

Junior
Feb 23, 2008
2,139
313
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He wants the job...

How are you guys so sure that Butch would even want to leave Auburn? He seems to have a good thing going there and he knows there would be much more pressure on him with us.

I know it. Auburn doesn't want us to take him either.
 

Shamoan

Redshirt
Jun 27, 2013
12,466
0
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what does that have to do with pressure? nothing. do we have higher expectations? sure, but if its year four and you arent winning, you getting fired in the sec regardless of location.
 
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