Texas A&M's coaching search must focus on finding the right man

From this day forward, Texas A&M’s focus must shift away from the guy who left to the guy who’s right.

Quite simply, the key to A&M remaining a national baseball powerhouse is finding the right coach to replace the traitorous Jim Schlossnagle.

Identifying the right guy(s) could be easy. Landing the right guy may not.

Florida State’s Link Jarrett, Clemson’s Erik Bakich, Tennessee’s Tony Vitello, Virginia’s Brian O’Connor and even East Carolina’s Cliff Godwin all could be identified as the right guy.

But which one of them could be convinced to leave? Jarrett and Vitello aren’t likely to leave powerful programs.

Some in college baseball doubt Bakich could be pried away. Maybe O’Connor could be lured by a big contract, but he has been in Charlottesville for 20 years. Would he be willing to leave now?

Godwin could make sense. He’s posted a 397-187 record in nine seasons. Imagine what he could do at a program with the resources and facilities of Texas A&M. Also, the Aggies could double his reported salary of $600,000 without blinking.

TexAgs

This will be Trev Alberts’ first coaching search since he was introduced as Texas A&M’s Director of Athletics on March 18.

Each of the aforementioned coaches could easily be the right guy for A&M.

However, a well-respected Major League scout, who spoke on condition of anonymity, has a suggestion that may make a big splash but could produce big success.

“He’s a lot more substance than flash,” the scout said.

The scout was referring to Oklahoma coach Skip Johnson, who just three seasons ago led the Sooners to a runner-up finish in the Men’s College World Series.

This year, he guided them to the Big 12 championship.

“I was just really impressed watching him this year,” the scout said. “They’re winning their conference running away. They had average talent, but they play the game really well. And they can’t recruit like A&M can or LSU and Tennessee.

“This guy overachieves with less facilities. Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss and UL-Lafayette have better facilities than Oklahoma.”

A&M’s Blue Bell Park is an excellent facility. And it’s going to get even better with $80 million approved for upgrades and renovations.

All coaches would jump at a chance to coach at the place with the facilities, finances, fan support and geographical recruiting advantages A&M offers.

The scout said Johnson, who reportedly earns $750,000, could make a huge impact recruiting the state of Texas for A&M.

“Tony Vitello, (LSU’s) Jay Johnson and him are the only guys I knew who worked as hard as recruiters as their recruiting coordinator,” the scout said.

Jamie Maury, TexAgs

Skip Johnson’s Sooners defeated Jim Schlossnagle’s Aggies twice to eliminate Texas A&M from the 2022 MCWS.

Oklahoma’s recruiting coordinator Todd Butler is considered among the best in the country. They could give A&M a fierce one-two recruiting punch.

Skip Johnson’s greatest asset is his work with pitchers. He has been a mentor of sorts to Los Angeles Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw.

“He’s extremely good with pitching,” the scout said. “His (Oklahoma pitchers) weren’t great velocity guys. They were good, but they could all really pitch.”

That might not be enough for A&M. The Aggies might want a bigger name to lead the baseball program that finished runner-up for the national championship.

Big-name hires have sometimes proved counterproductive, though.

A&M has to make a hire quickly because the transfer portal closes on Tuesday. It has to be the right hire, too.

Fortunately, several guys could be the right guy to continue A&M’s success.

“I don’t think it’s because of Schloss,” the scout said of A&M’s success. “I think it’s because of facilities, the backing, the support you get, being in the SEC. Schloss did his part, but it can be easily replicated with the right guy.”

Whoever that is. Or whoever they are.