Corky Palmer to retire...
- Thread starter KennyB
- Start date
I remember when I was a kid going out to the "right field roost" for most of the southern games. We have always been state fans but my parnets jobs took us to Hattiesburg. Pete Taylor Park is far from Dudy Noble, but it is a pretty good place to watch a baseball game. My parents were part of the first group of people to get reserved spots in the roost. Hill Denson used to be the coach at Southern and he would come party with us in the roost after every game. When Corky became the coach, Southern became a team to watch out for. They actually hosted a regional 6 or 7 years ago. which Baylor ended up taking.
Any news on who they are getting?
Any news on who they are getting?
that there were lots of rumbling about Palmer. Said that the kids didn't care for him or his attitude. Said he signed a kid and formed a quick opinion of the player of liking him or not and never wavered from that opinion. I was also told by this friend that Luke Atkins had no choice but to leave Usm. Corky never did like him. I was somewhat shocked over some of the things I heard but it seems to have had legs as he is retiring suddenly so the pressure must have mounted.
when he was Hill's assistant and that led to some problems and Hill retiring. Know doubt about Palmer doing a good job, but folks in the Hattiesburg area started complaining and the players have been moaning and groaning as well.
I do know his legs are bad but he ain't that old but I do believe he isn't wanted any longer just like Jeff Bower.
I do know his legs are bad but he ain't that old but I do believe he isn't wanted any longer just like Jeff Bower.
from what I have been told, a lot of USM fans, the 16 diehards, aren't real happy with Corky. They are upset about the pitching being thin every year, and they feel like they underachive. My source told me that if Corky didn't retire that he would have been fired at the end of the year, and that there were rumors that Palmer was going to go ahead and step down citing poor health as a reason. My source also told me that a lot of USM fans are unhappy about this season because they started off well, and then began to flounder. The USM fans are also unhappy with Palmer's lack of success in the postseason. Many of them apparently think that they should have at least won a Regional
Another thing that I was told was that most USM fans do NOT want Berry to be the new HC. He said that a lot of people were worried that he was going to get the job, but he thought that in light of the Polk/Raffo saga, that it wouldn't happen.
I don't know who they would get, and some names we mentioned were mainly in jest. I asked about Lane Burroughs, and he said that he didn't think that he would be chosen. My source speculated that they would try to target a young assistant.
Another thing that I was told was that most USM fans do NOT want Berry to be the new HC. He said that a lot of people were worried that he was going to get the job, but he thought that in light of the Polk/Raffo saga, that it wouldn't happen.
I don't know who they would get, and some names we mentioned were mainly in jest. I asked about Lane Burroughs, and he said that he didn't think that he would be chosen. My source speculated that they would try to target a young assistant.
Was curious on what everyone else was saying, a few things:
1. Corky was not going to be forced out. Our AD doesn't have the spine to force anyone out unless the boosters turn against him (Giannini gave Bower got contract extensions and raises for 6 win seasons). Boosters don't care enough about college baseball (outside of maybe ten programs in the nation--State being one)--so Corky was here until he wanted to leave.
2. In the early part of the decade, players were leaving the program in droves. You heard less of Corky pissing off players and it has been presumed that he became "nicer." He doesn't seem to be as cantankerous as he was back then but he's sure as hell no father figure that is endearing (or particularly inspiring) to players.
3. If I were Luke Adkins, I would have transferred too. Adkins was crushing the ball at the end of the 07 season but Palmer continued to platoon him with a righty who finished his last 15-20 games hitting a shade above .100. I would guess that Luke got maybe 10-20 at bats against left-handers during the course of his career at USM.
4. A lot of USM fans are happy to see Corky's retirement (a lot are on the other side too). I thought it was time. Our talent level has plummeted and we seem poorly coached.
5. At the same time, I recognize that Berry will likely be the new coach which means nothing will change. This would be a huge blunder on Giannini's part because the baseball job at USM is far too good to just give away without a search.
1. Corky was not going to be forced out. Our AD doesn't have the spine to force anyone out unless the boosters turn against him (Giannini gave Bower got contract extensions and raises for 6 win seasons). Boosters don't care enough about college baseball (outside of maybe ten programs in the nation--State being one)--so Corky was here until he wanted to leave.
2. In the early part of the decade, players were leaving the program in droves. You heard less of Corky pissing off players and it has been presumed that he became "nicer." He doesn't seem to be as cantankerous as he was back then but he's sure as hell no father figure that is endearing (or particularly inspiring) to players.
3. If I were Luke Adkins, I would have transferred too. Adkins was crushing the ball at the end of the 07 season but Palmer continued to platoon him with a righty who finished his last 15-20 games hitting a shade above .100. I would guess that Luke got maybe 10-20 at bats against left-handers during the course of his career at USM.
4. A lot of USM fans are happy to see Corky's retirement (a lot are on the other side too). I thought it was time. Our talent level has plummeted and we seem poorly coached.
5. At the same time, I recognize that Berry will likely be the new coach which means nothing will change. This would be a huge blunder on Giannini's part because the baseball job at USM is far too good to just give away without a search.
I'm curious as to what you and the other 15 Southern fans think of the new addition to the field? Doesn't it look a bit janky? The addition to the roost is great but those new boxes? Maybe the new coach will realize you have a pretty good program (considering you are Southern Miss) and get the baseball stadium up to par with the football addition. By the way, the football stadium looks pretty good.
They left us in the dust in terms of talent. When it comes to coaching, fan support and facilities they are right on par with us. Wait two years and tell me again that they have left us in the dust. We will be back on our high horse soon.