Now we can start to fix the problems on this team. Injuries hurt, but that was not the only problem. We need fielders that can field, people at the plate that can hit, and a team spirit that was obviously missing this year. I'm not sure what it will take - obviously better recruiting would help - but changes need to be made.
100p, my point was that, given the way this team has performed over the past couple of years, it shouldn't take missing the tournament for the decision-makers (i.e., Augie, Dodds, etc.) to make changes where necessary. It seems to that the same analysis would be performed and necessary changes would be made even if they had gotten in and were done in two games. We'll never know about the latter scenario, but we will soon know about the former.
We need for fans to show up and tailgate like they really mean it next year. Were we Post Season worthy in our Game Day preparations? Just wait'll next year, I'm already planning to get it right THIS time!
Not shocking but still disappointing. Cant lose last three conference series and go 2 and que and be in good shape.
The snowball of change should not roll downhill on this one, it needs to roll uphill a way. This is the core of the problem and this is straight from many players mouths to my ears. Well, that's my paraphrase and not their exact wording. But yeah, there needs to be change, one that can be respected, one that gives what is expected and leads by example in a way that a man should.
A couple of Augie quotes from another site (they are from unsecured posts, so no agreements being breached):
I hope the examination of Augie is by open-minded people without blinders on and willing to maybe interview players and people inside the program. Better?
If there are people inside the program that are unhappy, they should get the hell out. Nothing's stopping them from leaving. I say good riddance and don't let the door hit you on your way out. Bring in players or assistant coaches that actually want to be here. And how is it that this program has been in a downward spiral the last few years? I was sitting in Ameritrade Park last year watching our Horns play in Omaha.
1oop, it makes absolutely no difference whatsoever. Augie's going to be the head coach here until he retires or unless he has a publically embarrassing legal problem for the University following numerous years of poor performance. And you, more than most around here, should know that you take what players (and parents) say with more than a grain of salt. Now, as far as recruiting, we are not recruiting poorly. Our 4 freshman pitchers coming in were all highly touted coming from HS and while we lost a couple others to the draft, these guys are (were) all good. Position players seem to have taken a bit of a step back from 7-8 years ago, but you have to look beneath the surface to find out if that is really the case. I could just as easily put forth some scenarios supporting that our recruiting of position players has waned as I could that it has remained strong. That actually is the area that Augie needs to clearly evaluate and work on. Now, as for how recruiting is done in general (as to Augie let's his assistants go out and recruit), that is the overwhelming standard for D1 programs. That paradigm is not going to change with a change of coaches, so please let go of that argument if you find yourself struggling with it. Finally, for those moaning about how far the program has deteriorated (much of which is based on information that they have that I could/would dispute), you have to look at a reasonable time period to gauge that "deterioration." Over the last 10 years, Texas has been to the CWS more than any other team (6 times versus 5 for three other programs - LSU/Rice/UNC) and we've won it twice (tied with SC and OSU). During that time, our program has steadily increased it's performance at the box office while undergoing a major facility renovation. There's not an AD alive that would fire his coach with those numbers and most would be dancing with joy if they had them. More recently, we've been to Omaha 2 out of the last 3 years. Plenty of you will argue with me about our performance there last year or our offensive philosophy or just our offense in general, but that doesn't change the fact that we got there and that getting there is a very high expectation that was attained. Guys, Augie hasn't changed. He is what he has always been, the coach with the most wins EVER in D1 baseball, with NCs in 4 different DECADES (ok, so maybe he hasn't "always" been that, but who he is has resulted in that). If you look over his long career, you will find occasional "aberration" years in the mix. And he always rights the ship one way or another. Personally, what really surprised and frustrated me this year was the defense. Even with our injury prone and (therefore) somewhat inconsistent pitching, solid defense would have kept us as a 2 seed in the Big12 and off the bubble. Unfortunately, we gave away too many runs/games on costly defensive gaffes. Would we have gotten to Omaha without those, probably not (better chance without the injuries tho). Anybody that really follows Texas baseball knew that this year was going to be a work in progress. I absolutely expect Augie to take a hard look at the program and make some substantive changes. However, I'm not sure that we, the fans, will actually see those changes or see the fruits of those changes for some period of time (if they deal with recruiting which is 1-2 years out). If, however, some of the rumors that are being put forth here are true, then you will actually see changes. Not at the top, but elsewhere. Personally, I don't expect that, but we'll see.
With the exception of South Carlolina's coach, there is not a D1 baseball coach that could could keep his job under the metrics set forth by the drooling aggros on this board. Lord help Tanner if he does not three-peat. That program is clearly slipping and its obvious that he needs to be fired. From everything I've seen about the play of Texas this year I know someone who is really pissed about it and will take steps to solve it His name is Augie Garrido.
From Ced Golden: As for the future, don't expect the 73-year-old Garrido to go gently into that good night. He has never shied away from a challenge and besides, his salary gets bumped up to $1 million in September. The failure of the 2012 team will fuel his fire. "We will look at what changes need to be made," he said. "Making sure this doesn't happen again ... that's my first priority."
I hate to act like an aggie, but all I will remember of this season is the winning run sliding under the tag at home plate in the final game against our "rivals", and it is enough for me. 30 years of baseball memories, this season's ending is nowhere near as painful as some. Augie will fix this up for us, I can wait patiently.
The defense was an aberration this year. our hitting has been on a downward trajectory for the last 2-3 years. Fixing our hitting needs to be an area of focus.
Re: Augie is a big part of the problem. Only if Augie doesn't fix the problem, as most of us think he will. Try toasting with half-full glasses - it helps.
