Favorite College Coach

As a parent of a college player, I'm aware that most conversations about coaches focus on what is not good: game strategy, treatment of players, etc.

I would love to hear people talk about their favorite college baseball coach in North Carolina. What do you like about him in particular? What do you notice about the way he treats his players and fellow coaches? Is he a good teacher? A good motivator? Is he the same person on the recruiting trail as he is in the locker room? However you want to frame it, tell us what you appreciate about your favorite coach.

 

Tom Walter, Wake Forest Head Coach

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/baseball/2011-02-07-wake-forest-walter-kidney_N.htm

'Nuff said.

 

In my opinion, he first must be a winner. It's what separates him from the rest. Although all coaches have their own style, if they can't win with their "style", they won't be coaching very long. And if the coach is a winner everything else falls into place---team chemistry, motivation, confidence.

For this reason, I want to mention Coach Jim Gantt as the epitome of what a college coach should be like. His credentials:

Jim Gantt completed his 15th season as head coach of the Catawba College baseball program in 2011. Under Gantt, Catawba has posted 13 straight 30+ win seasons and have made six appearances in NCAA II Regional play. He has 520 career wins. He is a lifetime Catawba Indian having played there and served as the assistant coach for 7 seasons. He also serves as the HC of the successful Rowan American Legion team winning the State Championship in 2002 with a 42-2 record.

There are so many more things this coach has accomplished, yet is extremely unheralded. Not only he is respected by his players, but has earned the respect from all his opposing coaches (something that is very unique.)

But how has Coach Gantt accomplished a successful season year in-year out? Because he has a keen eye for talent and knows how to develop it. A case in point is Chris Dula, former star at S. Iredell HS. I remember asking why the kid wasn't being offered by the many schools that were following him. They were recruiting him as a pitcher and nobody would pull the trigger in making an offer. Well Coach Gantt did and Chris became a 3rd baseman; and Dula was named first team All Southeast Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association. This is one of countless of players that Gantt has developed, where others didn't believe in the players ability.

Coach Gantt is old school, but understands today's players. He demands their best and they respond because they believe in him. He's the type of coach that can take your team and beat his. There are not many Coach Gantt's around anymore...he is truly unique.

 

SC now but with NC roots

Taking liberty to go outside the NC border, but with a coach of NC roots: Ray Tanner.

I have known Ray since the mid-70's; played HS ball w/ him. In HS, he was a star player. I was mostly a reserve but just loved the game. Ray could have easily been conceited in his stardom role, but he never did. He was always a TEAM first guy and had the respect of all teammates no matter what their talents or abilities. He would grab anyone to throw a few or practice this or that; made everyone feel a part of the team.

Now know that Ray is / was a hard-core baseball guy. (In HS, he played each game with freshly-polished black baseball cleats, a true story). He deeply loves and respects the game. I think there was a time that he was viewed as really stern, unchanging.......a tough guy to play for by some. However to his credit and success, it has been noted in recent years he has learned to back off that "tough" approach a bit and adapted more to be a "player's" coach. I have also noticed his skill in recent years of adapting to different styles of play.......for example small ball when needed and great pitcher development instead of always playing for the 3-run homer.

A true student of the game but has adapted to changing times with great success. Has really embraced big-time college baseball but stayed true to his love for the game and the players. And what a stadium!

 

There are a bunch of good ones out there. My favorite is also out of North Carolina, but with roots inside the State (WCU). Jack Leggett. I am a little biased, since I was a Grad Assist. under him. He is a GREAT (maybe the best) teacher of the game. The amount of time he puts into teaching and doing little drills etc. towards the little things about the game is astounding (notice my signature statement). I learned so much while working with and for him.

To me what makes a good college coach is obviously the W's but also the one's that don't "high hat" the little old high school coach. there are a few (not many) that don't have time to talk or deal with the little peons that coach high school. to me that is a big turn off to that coach.

i would have to applaud and commend about 98% of the college coaches in north carolina, it is a great bunch of coaches.

 

Fox?

what about Mike Fox? For me, it's tough to bring UNC into the discussion, as I'm a serious ABC'er from way back, but I also believe in calling a spade a spade.........you can't argue with the success he has brought to Chapel Hill. They certainly do more than just talk the talk when it comes to hosting and winning regionals and super-regionals. And now 5 of the past 6 yr's in the CWS.

 

favorite coach??? the one that tells your son "I'd like to offer you a scholarship".

 

Better yet...the one that says, "your my starting....."

 

Mike Kennedy - Elon

One of the undersung coaches in North Carolina has to be Mike Kennedy at Elon. His gets the most out of his teams and really gets the most out of his roster and recruiting.

Another coach that I really like is Coach Scalf at UNC-W.

Of course I know a ton about Coach Mike Fox, Coach Scott Forbes, Coach Scott Jackson and Coach Robert Woodard as well as I interact with them on a daily basis with Inside Carolina - I would send my nephews to play for any of them ... or even Coach Matt McCay at Brevard College.

 

I just received an email from Coach McCay. He's ready to make an offer--doesn't matter what age