Honestly, I don't care about big names. Baseball isn't about geniuses drawing up game plans. It's about teaching fundamentals, keeping your team energized and motivated, and the ability to recognize who your best players are, where they fit best, and knowing basic things like pitcher/batter match ups and when to pull your pitcher. None of it is rocket science, and all of the successful coaches in America were "who the heck is that?" hires, before they became "somebodies".

In college, above all else, you must be able recruit, and provide an energetic atmosphere. Then, just be adequate at the other things. Have a flexible baseball philosophy, while you're at it. Don't try to be old school or new school. Just read the situation, know what your players can and cannot do, and adjust accordingly.

From afar, it seems like the players here have to create their own energy, as the coach looks either disinterested, dissatisfied, or angry, almost no matter what. I watched Dugas trot into the dugout last night after doing a good job with two strikes to fight off a pitch and drive in a run from third base. Everyone was giving him high-fives, except for Mainieri, who I'm not sure even looked at Dugas, as he walked right by him. What the heck is that about?

And he constantly messes with the lineup, putting in lesser talented players, as if to punish certain kids for making a mistake (ok, tough love; fair enough), but then lets other kids make a ton of mistakes, and do nothing at the plate (so... NOT tough love?).

LSU doesn't need a big name to come here and "rebuild ", or anything of that nature. This program has been long established, has the best fan support in the country, and isn't in some postseason drought. It just needs some energy and common sense at the top. Mainieri had that when he got here. We Almost instantly went from poo-poo to national contenders, and then national champs. We aren't nearly as bad off now as when Mainieri took over for Laval.

Surely, we can find someone who can do for us what Vitello is doing for Tennessee, without facing the hurdle of having to build a program from the sewer up, can't we? I should hope so.

This post was edited on 3/28/21 at 7:51 am