<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt">I think he needs to make one last ditch effort to help Polk save face...he is clearly losing it. Unfortunately, this is probably how Polk would react and how Greg should respond.
Greg Byrne:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Coach Polk, there is no way for me to begin to thank you for what you have done for Mississippi State University.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Through our ups and downs in our athletic programs there has always been one constant…and that is Mississippi State Baseball. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thank you for what you have built here, and what you have done for college baseball across the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> With your retirement, it is now my job to make the absolute best hire to ensure that the legacy you leave continues to thrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> I will exhaust all of my contacts and efforts to make sure the coach we hire will expand upon what you have built and that he will put us in a position to contend for a national championship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Fortunately for me, one of my biggest contacts is sitting across from me right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> I understand your support for Tommy Raffo but I want you to be prepared for the fact that he may not be offered the job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> There are several candidates I am looking at and I wanted to get your input and thoughts on each.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Let's work together to make sure what is best for Mississippi State is at the forefront.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"></p>
</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt">Polk:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Son, I realize you just got here and you have a hand in this thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Understand this..I wrote my fifth book on baseball before Mr. Byrne met your mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> I know what's right for the program and what is right for the program is Tommy Raffo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> I've told you before, and I'll tell you again..you hire anyone else and I will not support you whatsoever.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"></p>
</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt">Greg Byrne:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Your right, Coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> You have been an institution here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> But next year you will be gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> And I will still be here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> I will be responsible then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Some of your comments in the paper as well as contacting potential candidates have made my job more difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> But I certainly respect you and your right to voice your opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Also out of respect I will let you know now that I will not turn over the reigns of one of the most prestigious positions in the country to someone without a successful track record as a Head Coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> The only way I see Tommy Raffo being considered as head coach at Mississippi State University is if you step aside right now and allow him to finish out the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> That will be his audition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> It's up to you.</p>
Greg Byrne:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Coach Polk, there is no way for me to begin to thank you for what you have done for Mississippi State University.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Through our ups and downs in our athletic programs there has always been one constant…and that is Mississippi State Baseball. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thank you for what you have built here, and what you have done for college baseball across the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> With your retirement, it is now my job to make the absolute best hire to ensure that the legacy you leave continues to thrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> I will exhaust all of my contacts and efforts to make sure the coach we hire will expand upon what you have built and that he will put us in a position to contend for a national championship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Fortunately for me, one of my biggest contacts is sitting across from me right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> I understand your support for Tommy Raffo but I want you to be prepared for the fact that he may not be offered the job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> There are several candidates I am looking at and I wanted to get your input and thoughts on each.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Let's work together to make sure what is best for Mississippi State is at the forefront.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"></p>
</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt">Polk:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Son, I realize you just got here and you have a hand in this thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Understand this..I wrote my fifth book on baseball before Mr. Byrne met your mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> I know what's right for the program and what is right for the program is Tommy Raffo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> I've told you before, and I'll tell you again..you hire anyone else and I will not support you whatsoever.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt"></p>
</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt">Greg Byrne:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Your right, Coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> You have been an institution here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> But next year you will be gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> And I will still be here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> I will be responsible then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Some of your comments in the paper as well as contacting potential candidates have made my job more difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> But I certainly respect you and your right to voice your opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Also out of respect I will let you know now that I will not turn over the reigns of one of the most prestigious positions in the country to someone without a successful track record as a Head Coach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> The only way I see Tommy Raffo being considered as head coach at Mississippi State University is if you step aside right now and allow him to finish out the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> That will be his audition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> It's up to you.</p>