I think it is fair to be pissed at O’Connor. Mainly because I’m pissed at O’Connor.
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I’m pissed that @KarlHess allowed this to happen.
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Much like many of our defenders this past season, I really booted that one.
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While Graham has an erratic track record, it appears to be (there seem to be other sources confirming this now) a consensus that he’s right on this one. Nonetheless, there are many factors at play here.
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My issue is his contention that the way this ended wipes out his legacy and stature at UVa–it is too broad a brush in my opinion. I don’t like the way this was handled or the outcome itself but I will still hold Brian in high regard for all those years before 2025
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Yeah there’s a lot of mixed emotions that go into this whole situation.
On one hand with O’Connor, you’re absolutely right that the work he did and success he had here should never be forgotten. The man did miracle work building up this program and brought a lot of people in our fanbase tons of happiness and years of unbelievable moments that we’ll always remember. He gave 22 years of his life and soul to this program. With that being said, he didn’t finish the job and in my eyes took the easy way out. Do I think he’s unjustified for some of the demands he made? Nope, he more than probably anyone else in college baseball knows what you need to win at the highest level possible and at the end of the day he wants his best shot at winning another national title. Don’t fault him for that. What I do fault him for is he had a chance to change his mind when we came back with a significantly better offer, an offer that would have at least gotten us close, and he still decided to go to MSU. I also think it’s a little bullshit that he has yet to release any kind of statement to the UVA fanbase regarding his departure, maybe it comes in the next couple of days or even later today but you’d think that would have came a little quicker. If he’s bitter towards the administration, whatever but don’t be bitter towards the fanbase that did nothing but love and support you throughout your time here. And I’m not gonna listen to any complaints about “well our fans didn’t show up for games”, our attendance has been solid consistently whenever it wasn’t a midweek game against Towson in 30 degree weather. I don’t know, there’s obviously some amount of bitterness here but when there’s people closer to the program than I am saying that O’Connor should hold at least some amount of blame for this on his end then I’m inclined to believe them.
Again, I’m pissed. Probably will be for a while. Still support this program but was really of the mindset that O’Connor was and should have finished his career here, he’s in my opinion a top 5 coach in the country at minimum and I wouldn’t have traded him for anyone else. But he moved on, and part of me is now always gonna think fuck him for doing that.
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I have no clue and dont wanna look it up and am trying to distract and annoy you while you grieve. What did he make salary at UVa and what did Miss State pay him?
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Total compensation was $1.4 million here, which was a top 10 salary in the country. No idea what the salary will be at MSU, probably near that or above it, but from what I understand his personal compensation wasn’t really a factor in the decision. It was mainly MSU offering him an NIL/scholarship/revenue % package that is supposed to be top 5 in the country in terms of resources spent on your college baseball program. Not to mention that it would be an upgrade in facilities as well.
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well said’
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I wonder if we make a run in regionals it changes the outcome of everything?
What pisses me off the most is that we’re probably looking at a pretty long-duration rebuild now.
It can be done in baseball in one year, but it’s very difficult in the ACC when you’re likely replacing at least seven position starters and the entire rotation (including midweek) and the closer.
I really agree with both of these points. Leaving and making no statement about the program, the community and the fans has been sticking with me these past few days. And Mac posting #newprofilepic on Twitter with no mention of the past either. Makes it all feel like they didn’t in fact hold the community or fans in any regard as they are ignored in all of this.
They may well feel they have a beef with “management” but you don’t turn around and ignore the clients even if you have an issue with mgmt and that’s what it feels like here.
And the fans and community are currently without an entire team since the entire team and recruits (for all intents and purposes) are in the portal.
To the poster who said the fans didn’t show up…I and my family were there all season and watched every away game and every game we couldn’t attend and brought a work event to the Georgetown game even. And while I accept that this is the business, the departure was bad and doesn’t sit right with me and us.
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Oak had it better than almost every program in the country and that wasn’t good enough for him.
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Pollard would definitely be a home run!
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It’s the same article from yesterday, no new names posted.
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Thanks brother!
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What’s funny is that he said this after having made 3 of the past 4 CWS… hell if we’re being honest it could be argued Oaks own decision making on those stages cost him very legit opportunities at the next title he so seems to covet.
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Absolutely. Starting with his decision to leave Griff in too long. And we ended up losing six straight in Omaha afterward.
The Wyatt and Messinger meltdown after Vasil’s masterpiece. Leaving Berry in too long and then essentially hanging out Woolfolk to dry. Pitching to Honeycutt with first base open.
He sucked so bad in Omaha after the Mississippi State collapse.
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