Paul Mainieri: 'I had just underestimated the strength of the conference'
Well into his first season as South Carolina's head coach, Paul Mainieri shares some thoughts on the Gamecocks' ongoing struggles.
Paul Mainieri: 'I had just underestimated the strength of the conference'
- Thread starter Bubba Fett
- Start date
Coached in the SEC for 15 years, won 4 SEC titles, 6 SEC tournaments and 1 national title. But he underestimated the strength of the conference?
He has won 6 SEC Tournaments, Im sure we will do fine in Alabama, we always play our best there.
When you step away from something at his age memories start to fade.
Sometimes I forget where I left my iced tea!
Sometimes I forget where I left my iced tea!
I sure as heck would. But we know that won't happen, they'll give him 3-4 years to build, get his guys, put in his system, etc, etc...
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Not sure why we would do that. He can’t even teach our guys how to hit.
I've always thought coaches can teach to a certain degree. It takes a special talent to take the information and apply it to hitting. Some have it, some don't.
If a player can't hit by the time he gets to the college level, I don't think any coach is going to teach him how to hit. Coaches can help fine tune a swing or help a player get out of a slump when the coach notices a flaw in the players swing but they can't teach a player to hit the ball in general.
It's hard to go from the gold standard to a lump of coal, but we have managed to accomplish it. Really sad that RT let this happen under his watch.
My point was some guys are not able to execute at a level required for SEC baseball. No fine tuning or swing adjustments will work.
Satisfying a fanbase which has been part of a gold standard program requires an extremely quick turn around and I don't think we hired the right coach for the job. What is needed is a motivated coach with a future who can attract and coach talent to a program with long term goals in mind.
Mainieri does not fit our situation although he may be able to pull out a winning season or two which only further delays the long-term goal.
Mainieri does not fit our situation although he may be able to pull out a winning season or two which only further delays the long-term goal.
That is pretty much my point as well. If a kid can't hit, he can't hit. A batting coach can help him with form or hand placement or position in the batter's box but he can't teach him to hit at an SEC level if the kid can't do it when he gets to the team.