Now, can we fire him?

32,900 Views | 208 Replies | Last: 7 mo ago by Commander Gorn
Gyles Marrett
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2thFixinAg said:

pitcher not running to cover home immediately on a wild pitch is coaching.

Shortstop covering 3rd base late on a weak ground ball to third is coaching. i think those might have been in the same inning if i remember right.

those are basic fundamentals.
Basic fundamentals should not have to be taught to D1 SEC players.

Not defending Earley. I think he needs to go, but this to me has been one of the weakest criticisms of him. Not 1 major college baseball program spends much if any time at practice on things they should know from Little League. Some things need to be put on the players, basic fundamentals is one of them.
12Power
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I don't agree that firing Early would look that bad to coaches if they understood the entire situation that A&M was put in. It is not like we did an extensive and lengthy coaching search and hired the guy we thought was right. HC left abruptly with portal closing , many players likely jumping ship. A&M wouldn't have had a team if they didnt hire the asst coach the players wanted. Early took a top team into the dumpster.
Gyles Marrett
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12Power said:

I don't agree that firing Early would look that bad to coaches if they understood the entire situation that A&M was put in. It is not like we did an extensive and lengthy coaching search and hired the guy we thought was right. HC left abruptly with portal closing , many players likely jumping ship. A&M wouldn't have had a team if they didnt hire the asst coach the players wanted. Early took a top team into the dumpster.
No I don't think it would look bad to coaches....but if you believe the powers that made the hire, Didn't Trev say we interviewed over 10 guys. I think several turned us down. I believe Heefner turned it down. Skip used us as leverage to get a raise at OU. Makes you more so wonder with the program we had at the time on top of the game why coaches would be passing on the job.
Wabs
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POS put us in very bad spot with the timing of his leaving. Some of the "hesitancy" from coaches we interviewed was probably based on this timeline. It was mid-June and late in the process - portal, recruiting, hiring a staff, etc.What we were offering was not enough to encourage them to move at that point. If we fire Earley days after the season, we start the search on a much better timeline. Hopefully we've already started the process...
Scalpel
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OMG what level baseball did you play? Slumps are part of baseball. In high school the good players don't slump cause they are so much better. But college, minors, majors the difference are small. Everyone slumps.

Hitless streaks
Ty Cobb 0 for 17. 1920
Babe Ruth 0 for 21 1934
Lou Gehrig 0 for 20 1936
Ted Williams 0-17 1954
Barry Bonds 0-34 1986
Tony Gwinn 0-19 1998
Chris Davis 0-54 2018-19

But slumps are worse

Bryce Harper, Nationals, May 31 to June 23, 2018 -- .143/.265/.229, 1 HR in 83 PA

Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs, April 27 to May 22, 2018 -- .116/.224/.163, 1 HR in 98 PA

Mike Trout, Angels, Aug. 1-23, 2015 -- .176/.315/.270, 1 HR in 89 PA

Derek Jeter, Yankees, March/April 2004 -- .168/.255/.232, 1 HR in 108 PA

David Ortiz, Red Sox, April 30 to May 31, 2009 -- .140/.279/.237, 1 HR in 111 PA

Slumps happen. It happens to the greatest and it can happen to a team as well. Most of the time it is not coaching. It is baseball.

Don't be like tu fans. Go back and look at tu sites. Many were screaming for Sark's neck after his first year. They all wanted to string Kwiatkowski up by his privates. Now all of their fans love them both.

Give the guy a chance.
Captain Pablo
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Wabs said:

POS put us in very bad spot with the timing of his leaving. Some of the "hesitancy" from coaches we interviewed was probably based on this timeline. It was mid-June and late in the process - portal, recruiting, hiring a staff, etc.What we were offering was not enough to encourage them to move at that point. If we fire Earley days after the season, we start the search on a much better timeline. Hopefully we've already started the process...


If a change is happening, the search most certainly started around May 11

Maybe earlier
Gyles Marrett
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I think some are in for a rude shock when Earley is not let go this week. No idea why so many think it's a sure thing. Should he be? Yes. But I have zero reason to think they won't give him another year given the financial situation and recent buyouts.
RED AG 98
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Billy, KR, and others seem to be pretty confident it's postseason or bust at this time. We shall see very soon.
Wabs
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Yes, slumps happen. But this is more than every player on the team slumping. There have been multiple (putting it lightly) very questionable coaching decisions this season. IMO, the pitching staff has performed well at times, but there have been several questionable moves to the bullpen and just overall managing of the pitching staff.

Also, this team seems really soft. Body language has looked very bad at times. This is a direct reflection on the coaches. They are supposed to be the leaders. They are responsible for the overall attitude and toughness of a team.

Look, I like Earley. He seems like a really good guy and I'm sure he's worked his ass off to do the best he can. But I think he's just in over his head here. He's a young coach and he's learning. Maybe one day he'll be ready, but that may take years and years. Time to move on.
Hornbeck
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Alberts is not going to fire him.

The guy was brought in by $harp and co. because they were hemorrhaging money into Jimbo Fisher's pockets. Last I checked, they are still hemorrhaging money into Jimbo Fisher's pockets. BMAs only paid for the first payment. Athletics is on the hook for the rest.

Alberts has slashed jobs and made his corporate masters happy in that regard. Who cares if we keep losing? That guy sure does not.
Gyles Marrett
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RED AG 98 said:

Billy, KR, and others seem to be pretty confident it's postseason or bust at this time. We shall see very soon.
I hope they are right, they've been wrong before. It would be good sign that Trev and crew are making winning a priority and not all about the $.
FTAG 2000
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Hornbeck said:

Alberts is not going to fire him.

The guy was brought in by $harp and co. because they were hemorrhaging money into Jimbo Fisher's pockets. Last I checked, they are still hemorrhaging money into Jimbo Fisher's pockets. BMAs only paid for the first payment. Athletics is on the hook for the rest.

Alberts has slashed jobs and made his corporate masters happy in that regard. Who cares if we keep losing? That guy sure does not.



Did you miss the media rights deal Trev just brokered? That's paying the Jimbo buyout and then some.
Aston 91
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Gyles Marrett said:

I think some are in for a rude shock when Earley is not let go this week. No idea why so many think it's a sure thing. Should he be? Yes. But I have zero reason to think they won't give him another year given the financial situation and recent buyouts.
I hope he's gone, but I agree it's far from a sure thing. Nothing in Trev Albert's actions so far lead me to believe he's willing to pay $3MM to fire a first year coach in a net negative revenue sport - especially when that coach was Albert's first big hire as AD.
Baseball is popular, but it's not profitable. And paying Earley's buyout is only part of the equation. If they want to hire a coach with a proven track record, they're likely going to have to pay over market value to get him here, considering we'd be firing a coach after just 1 year.

https://www.kbtx.com/2025/02/01/texas-am-athletics-made-227-million-net-revenue-during-fiscal-year-2024/
Football was the only profitable program for the Aggies, gaining $118.5 million in revenue and spending $90.8 million for a net value of $27.7 million. Those numbers include the $27.2 million in severance payments the athletic department made to former head coach Jimbo Fisher and his staff during the fiscal year.
Fisher's buyout totals more than $76 million. Of that, $19.2 million was paid within the first 60 days of his termination. A&M will pay $7.2 million annually through 2031.
Baseball lost a net $3.6 million, followed closely by softball at $3.3 million. Men's basketball operated with a net loss of $2.1 million. Women's basketball had the highest deficit of any program, recording net losses of $6.2 million.
sixfoot
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I played D1 college baseball, so I think I know a thing or two about talent and coaches. What level did you play?
Artorias
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Scalpel said:

Don't be like tu fans. Go back and look at tu sites. Many were screaming for Sark's neck after his first year. They all wanted to string Kwiatkowski up by his privates. Now all of their fans love them both.

Give the guy a chance.
Sorry but this comparison is apples and oranges. Both Sark and Kwia are experienced coaches. They are not first-timers trying to learn on the job at one of the biggest schools in the country. Earley may end up being good when he is older, or he might not. Either way, we shouldn't be paying him to learn to coach.
LB12Diamond
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Most Ags are nothing like sips. If the majority of Ags want a new coach, that means we need a new coach.
85AustinAg
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Those of you that don't think he's gone if we don't make the post season are the most miserable people on the planet. It's like you don't want him fired so you can continue to whine and complain and use the BAS bull**** moniker to wallow in self pity.

TAMU1990
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Gyles Marrett said:

12Power said:

I don't agree that firing Early would look that bad to coaches if they understood the entire situation that A&M was put in. It is not like we did an extensive and lengthy coaching search and hired the guy we thought was right. HC left abruptly with portal closing , many players likely jumping ship. A&M wouldn't have had a team if they didnt hire the asst coach the players wanted. Early took a top team into the dumpster.
No I don't think it would look bad to coaches....but if you believe the powers that made the hire, Didn't Trev say we interviewed over 10 guys. I think several turned us down. I believe Heefner turned it down. Skip used us as leverage to get a raise at OU. Makes you more so wonder with the program we had at the time on top of the game why coaches would be passing on the job.
Timing. The portal was closing and our players would be the only talent in it. Freshman were reporting in a week and the 2024-25 season was basically starting. No one leaves after playing in the national title game. It's just unheard of and really put us in a bind - on purpose.
LB12Diamond
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Last year it seems the coaching search had more to do with putting out the fire and taking a swing at the Vols coach.

So, they wanted a big headline and after whiffing on that one they announced Earley rather quickly. Hiring him bc they did not want to lose players to the sips,.and unfortunately, I think some thought stealing one of his assistants was getting them back a little.

I doubt they gave Skip a real look even though they should have bc of his ties to Texas.

This year, it will be nice to see who they hire with a proper search taking place.
Wabs
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LB12Diamond said:

Last year it seems the coaching search had more to do with putting out the fire and taking a swing at the Vols coach.

So, they wanted a big headline and after whiffing on that one they announced Earley rather quickly. Hiring him bc they did not want to lose players to the sips,.and unfortunately, I think some thought stealing one of his assistants was getting them back a little.

I doubt they gave Skip a real look even though they should have bc of his ties to Texas.

This year, it will be nice to see who they hire with a proper search taking place.
This is my thinking as well. We were put in a pinch because of POS. The timing was horrible if you want to do a proper search for a coach and negotiate a deal with him. All (or most) of our players were in the portal and we were likely close to losing a significant amount of talent. Our new coach (if not Earley) would have to join late in the game and would have had to very quickly meet with and convince them to stay. That's not a very enticing deal for coaches already established at their school. So we probably had some coaches say no based on the timing alone.

Time to do a proper search and find the right guy.
amychestnut
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SBDavis87 said:

If you've ever played on a championship baseball team of any level or just on a really good one, you know that the MOST IGNORANT thing you can do as a coach or baseball manager is to bat the school's all time home run leader in the #1 spot. Players don't decide the batting order, only the coach in charge does.

I saw idjits on here trying to defend that - it is obvious they played softball or some other sport like volleyball. They may have even played some type of football and would defend having Walter Payton at quarterback.

Any time someone puts J. LaV. at leadoff it is the absolutely sure sign that you don't know what the heck you are doing and must be fired because you can't learn that much on the job.
There aren't enough centuries before the hayflick phenomenon kicks in and you have to pass on.
You're entitled to your opinion, but calling it "the MOST IGNORANT thing" shows a real lack of understanding of how baseball has evolved, especially at the college and pro levels. Putting a power hitter in the leadoff spot isn't some rookie mistake, it's a proven strategy used by top programs and MLB teams alike. Look at guys like Mookie Betts and Kyle Schwarber leading off, not because they slap singles, but because they get on base, hit bombs, and set the tone.
Jace LaViolette isn't just the school's all-time home run leader, he's also one of the fastest guys on the team and one of their most disciplined hitters. Getting him the most at-bats possible is smart baseball. You want your best hitters up early and often. That's how you win games.
Just because it's not how you would fill out a lineup card doesn't make it wrong, and it definitely doesn't mean someone should be fired for it.
amychestnut
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HoustonAg2106 said:

sixfoot said:

As an ex D1 college baseball player, players like the coach that doesn't make them work hard and is fun to hang out with. That's precisely why the players wanted Earley as HC. However, this is NOT what a bunch of 18-20 year olds need in order to be successful.


That's why it was a little silly to listen to all the players tell stories about how terrible Schloss is (Chestnut and Targac specifically). Nick Saban isn't exactly the nicest guy in the world either, but coaches like that get results
Travis and Ryan never said Coach S was a bad coach, he led them to the CWS, they shared their real-life experience when everyone wanted to know what it was like playing for him. Never did a player say they wanted to play for a "nice" coach, they want to play for a coach they respect.
I can speak for Travis, he went into Coach S's office and had a man-to-man conversation about why he should start, and he got the start that game and never came out. He might not have had the best relationship with him, but he did his job and played his heart out - you don't always like your boss, but it doesn't stop you from doing your job.
These are 1822-year-old elite athletes playing at one of the highest levels of the game. They're not kids, they're professionals in training, and they understand that winning is what advances their careers. These guys know what they're doing, and they've made it clear they believe in Coach Earley.
If the players, the ones grinding every day, living it, and putting it all on the line, are rallying behind him, maybe we should stop overanalyzing and start listening to them. They know what real leadership looks like.
LB12Diamond
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AgRyan04 said:

Wicked Good Ag said:

Everyone is Fire Earley Fire Earley and i get it but the people who talk about this talented lineup coming back i just dont see it




2024

Grohovac
Chestnutt
Montgomery
LaViolette
Appel
Camarillo
Burton
Schott
Sorrell
* Kent for Montgomery after injury

2025
Only from that list

Grohovac (6 games)
Sorrell (half of season)
Kent
Schott (nursing injury all season in DH role)
LaViolette

none did better than last season all regressed and that is the main question you ask

Because the big three of our expectations none were met at all if you consider Sorrell for half a season only

I dont know what will happen and I dont know if fired or not but I do know we will overpay and be on the hook for 7 years plus worth of contracts in a non revenue sport so you better hit it out of the ball park

and dont forget to add in NIL money from donors as well


You're right, every returning offensive player other tham Sorrell regressed.....but that doesn't mean there wasnt talent there.

You're also ignoring the transfers. We brought in two of the top 5 offensive transfers in the portal.












This post needs to be highlighted again.


I did not see any rallying the Mizzou weekend. I actually saw the exact opposite.

You can tell so much more from a head coach on how their team plays against average comp. Saban always stated he had to do his best coaching playing teams the players thought they were better than. Earley stated after the Mizzou weekend he did not know how to get the players to do what they needed to do. Pretty much something of that affect. After I heard that interview, it was crystal clear a change is required.
85AustinAg
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amychestnut said:

SBDavis87 said:

If you've ever played on a championship baseball team of any level or just on a really good one, you know that the MOST IGNORANT thing you can do as a coach or baseball manager is to bat the school's all time home run leader in the #1 spot. Players don't decide the batting order, only the coach in charge does.

I saw idjits on here trying to defend that - it is obvious they played softball or some other sport like volleyball. They may have even played some type of football and would defend having Walter Payton at quarterback.

Any time someone puts J. LaV. at leadoff it is the absolutely sure sign that you don't know what the heck you are doing and must be fired because you can't learn that much on the job.
There aren't enough centuries before the hayflick phenomenon kicks in and you have to pass on.
You're entitled to your opinion, but calling it "the MOST IGNORANT thing" shows a real lack of understanding of how baseball has evolved, especially at the college and pro levels. Putting a power hitter in the leadoff spot isn't some rookie mistake, it's a proven strategy used by top programs and MLB teams alike. Look at guys like Mookie Betts and Kyle Schwarber leading off, not because they slap singles, but because they get on base, hit bombs, and set the tone.
Jace LaViolette isn't just the school's all-time home run leader, he's also one of the fastest guys on the team and one of their most disciplined hitters. Getting him the most at-bats possible is smart baseball. You want your best hitters up early and often. That's how you win games.
Just because it's not how you would fill out a lineup card doesn't make it wrong, and it definitely doesn't mean someone should be fired for it.
Smart Lady. Thanks Amy!
Great2BeAnAGGIE
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Has it happened yet?

Been waiting since the 2nd game at home versus the most underrated 3 win team in the SEC.
FM 949
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He should be fired because he finished with an overall record of 30-26 and 11-19 in the SEC. All the rest of this is just noise.
Commander Gorn
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If Earley was Trev's guy and he had full confidence in him coaching next year, you'd think he'd come out and say something. An AD doesn't need to say anything when a coach has a bad season here and there, but there's articles and lots of speculation out there on a change and so far nothing from A&M. To me, points to us shopping around.
hunter2012
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Now that we're officially out, now can we fire him? What possible hope is there that we will ever make the tournament, let alone Omaha with Earley as head coach?
W
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time to meet him at the bus
HillCountry15
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Commander Gorn said:

If Earley was Trev's guy and he had full confidence in him coaching next year, you'd think he'd come out and say something. An AD doesn't need to say anything when a coach has a bad season here and there, but there's articles and lots of speculation out there on a change and so far nothing from A&M. To me, points to us shopping around.
Aside from announcing a contract extension, when has an AD announced a coach is returning next season? Did we announce after Jimbo went 5-7? Honestly don't remember
twk
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South Carolina announced Mainieri is coming back. This happens all the time when the coach is on the hot seat.
HillCountry15
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twk said:

South Carolina announced Mainieri is coming back. This happens all the time when the coach is on the hot seat.
I know other schools have done it, I just can't specifically remember a time an A&M has done it - except when announcing contract extensions
20ag07
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When have you heard Trev say anything about anything?

Some ADs run their traps. Some don't.

(USCe is a bad comparison, as Donati from TCU was a known mouth runner.)
Commander Gorn
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HillCountry15 said:

Commander Gorn said:

If Earley was Trev's guy and he had full confidence in him coaching next year, you'd think he'd come out and say something. An AD doesn't need to say anything when a coach has a bad season here and there, but there's articles and lots of speculation out there on a change and so far nothing from A&M. To me, points to us shopping around.
Aside from announcing a contract extension, when has an AD announced a coach is returning next season? Did we announce after Jimbo went 5-7? Honestly don't remember


A very recent example is Billy Napier at UF last football season. Fans wanted him gone and there was tons of speculation. Their AD came out and said he'd be back.

"I wanted to let you know that Billy Napier will continue as head football coach of the Florida Gators,"

Here's a link to the full statement: https://floridagators.com/news/2024/11/7/football-a-letter-from-scott-stricklin-to-gator-nation.aspx
 
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