This may be germans but great write up on MSU baseball...which is only 2 1/2 months away.
<font face="verdana" size="4">Bullpen session: Ranking the best hires</font> <noscript> <h1>Bullpen session: Ranking the best hires</h1></noscript> <p class="byline">
</p>A few days ago we took an inside look at the nation's newest coaches and handed out grades. Some hires really impressed me while others left something to be desired.
So, which five hires stood out the most?</p>
1. John Cohen (Mississippi State): Cohen has the most impressive resume of any coach hired during the offseason. Though it'll be interesting to see how Cohen approaches rival Ole Miss in the Magnolia State, history suggests he'll be very successful. Cohen experienced success in his first stop at Northwestern State, and also had a wealth of success at Kentucky, which was far from having a good baseball program before he arrived. Cohen isn't inheriting a load of talent at State, but has the tools necessary to reel in elite talent. In addition to being a former player at State and knowing what it takes to win in Starkville, Miss., Cohen also is very familiar with what it takes to win the SEC. The Bulldogs made the right choice with Cohen.</p>
2. John Pawlowski (Auburn): When the Tigers lured Pawlowski away from College of Charleston, it was anything but a surprise. Though names of other potential candidates swirled around Auburn for a few weeks, the Tigers hit a home run by inking a deal with Pawlowski. Though Pawlowski hasn't been head coach in a major conference, his resume certainly speaks for itself. Before carrying College of Charleston to new heights, Pawlowski had stints as an assistant at Arizona State and Clemson. In addition to being a good teacher and recruiter, Pawlowski already knows what it takes to win at a high level. Barring a major surprise, Pawlowski is the coach that finally will turn Auburn's program around.</p>
3. Gary Henderson (Kentucky): The Wildcats didn't have to look far for a good reason. When coach John Cohen left for Mississippi State, the Wildcats could've started a national search for a new coach. UK, however, felt compelled to give him the job. It was the right decision. Sure, UK could've gone out and hired a young rising coach, but Henderson always has been a great fit. In addition to spending several seasons as an assistant for Cohen, Henderson also made lengthy coaching stops at Florida and Oregon State, while also having short stints at Cal State Fullerton and Pepperdine. Henderson has some tough holes to fill this spring, but continues to recruit at a high level. The future of UK's program still is bright.</p>
4. Dan Spencer (Texas Tech): After helping Oregon State win back-to-back national titles, Texas Tech got a wild hair and decided to hire Spencer as head coach designate. Though some may disagree, I think that'll turn out to be a great decision on the Red Raiders' part. Spencer still is an unproven commodity as head coach, but his resume is impressive. In addition to helping lead the Beavers to a pair of historic campaigns, Spencer also is a good recruiter and did a great job of putting together great pitching staffs at Oregon State. Spencer must find a way to improve Texas Tech's recruiting. If he accomplishes that goal, the Red Raiders soon should be in good shape. Spencer is familiar with what it takes to win in Lubbock, Texas.</p>
5. Terry Rooney (UCF): When it comes to rising young coaches, it doesn't get much better than Rooney. Though he still has much to prove as head coach at UCF, Rooney heads to Orlando with a full head of steam. Rooney previously coached at Stetson, Notre Dame and LSU. He also spent time at James Madison, Old Dominion and George Washington. In addition to being one of the nation's best pitching coaches, Rooney also relates well to his players and is an excellent recruiter. His personality and experience eventually should lead to success at UCF. Because of its location and access to premier talent, UCF is an underrated job. It'll be interesting to see if Rooney can turn the Knights winners.</p>
Other coaches such as Jake Boss (Michigan State), Monte Lee (College of Charleston), Craig Cozart (High Point), Jason Gill (Loyola Marymount) and Fritz Hamburg (St. Joseph's) should also experience some success.</p>
<font face="verdana" size="4">Bullpen session: Ranking the best hires</font> <noscript> <h1>Bullpen session: Ranking the best hires</h1></noscript> <p class="byline">
</p>A few days ago we took an inside look at the nation's newest coaches and handed out grades. Some hires really impressed me while others left something to be desired.
So, which five hires stood out the most?</p>
1. John Cohen (Mississippi State): Cohen has the most impressive resume of any coach hired during the offseason. Though it'll be interesting to see how Cohen approaches rival Ole Miss in the Magnolia State, history suggests he'll be very successful. Cohen experienced success in his first stop at Northwestern State, and also had a wealth of success at Kentucky, which was far from having a good baseball program before he arrived. Cohen isn't inheriting a load of talent at State, but has the tools necessary to reel in elite talent. In addition to being a former player at State and knowing what it takes to win in Starkville, Miss., Cohen also is very familiar with what it takes to win the SEC. The Bulldogs made the right choice with Cohen.</p>
2. John Pawlowski (Auburn): When the Tigers lured Pawlowski away from College of Charleston, it was anything but a surprise. Though names of other potential candidates swirled around Auburn for a few weeks, the Tigers hit a home run by inking a deal with Pawlowski. Though Pawlowski hasn't been head coach in a major conference, his resume certainly speaks for itself. Before carrying College of Charleston to new heights, Pawlowski had stints as an assistant at Arizona State and Clemson. In addition to being a good teacher and recruiter, Pawlowski already knows what it takes to win at a high level. Barring a major surprise, Pawlowski is the coach that finally will turn Auburn's program around.</p>
3. Gary Henderson (Kentucky): The Wildcats didn't have to look far for a good reason. When coach John Cohen left for Mississippi State, the Wildcats could've started a national search for a new coach. UK, however, felt compelled to give him the job. It was the right decision. Sure, UK could've gone out and hired a young rising coach, but Henderson always has been a great fit. In addition to spending several seasons as an assistant for Cohen, Henderson also made lengthy coaching stops at Florida and Oregon State, while also having short stints at Cal State Fullerton and Pepperdine. Henderson has some tough holes to fill this spring, but continues to recruit at a high level. The future of UK's program still is bright.</p>
4. Dan Spencer (Texas Tech): After helping Oregon State win back-to-back national titles, Texas Tech got a wild hair and decided to hire Spencer as head coach designate. Though some may disagree, I think that'll turn out to be a great decision on the Red Raiders' part. Spencer still is an unproven commodity as head coach, but his resume is impressive. In addition to helping lead the Beavers to a pair of historic campaigns, Spencer also is a good recruiter and did a great job of putting together great pitching staffs at Oregon State. Spencer must find a way to improve Texas Tech's recruiting. If he accomplishes that goal, the Red Raiders soon should be in good shape. Spencer is familiar with what it takes to win in Lubbock, Texas.</p>
5. Terry Rooney (UCF): When it comes to rising young coaches, it doesn't get much better than Rooney. Though he still has much to prove as head coach at UCF, Rooney heads to Orlando with a full head of steam. Rooney previously coached at Stetson, Notre Dame and LSU. He also spent time at James Madison, Old Dominion and George Washington. In addition to being one of the nation's best pitching coaches, Rooney also relates well to his players and is an excellent recruiter. His personality and experience eventually should lead to success at UCF. Because of its location and access to premier talent, UCF is an underrated job. It'll be interesting to see if Rooney can turn the Knights winners.</p>
Other coaches such as Jake Boss (Michigan State), Monte Lee (College of Charleston), Craig Cozart (High Point), Jason Gill (Loyola Marymount) and Fritz Hamburg (St. Joseph's) should also experience some success.</p>