TnTech Coaching

[GVF]

I know this is the UT Baseball thread, but it is baseball nonetheless. TnTech made the NCAA 2 years ago and did great. Then Bragga left for Rice. The assistant coach was promoted and had a decent but not so impressive season last year, after 8 guys got drafted off a senior laden team. And graduated a strong senior last year that rounded out the talent loss from that NCAA super regional team. Then was released for conduct a few months ago. Seems Tech somehow made a really good hire bringing in Baylor's all-time winning coach (former coach?). And he brought in a old salt baseball coach to help out. As a local and someone who enjoys Tech baseball, it will be interesting to see what he does with a program Bragga was developing into a decent program.

 

[Sam I Am]

TTU made a SOLID hire by bringing in Steve Smith. I'm actually very surprised he took the job. But kudo's to Tech for pulling it off. TTU has always been a solid baseball school. I wish them nothing but the best. I don't know what the other coach did to get walked out the door, but it will turn out to be a blessing in disguise for TTU in the long term.

 

[GVF]

Yeah. No doubt. Our company does a lot of work at Tech in dining. I'm over there fairly frequently and have never heard anything about the firing of the other coach. They are pretty good about keeping firings for conduct under wraps for the sake of the terminated. Never heard why Satterfield got canned for conduct from the football team either.

But yes. Solid hire. I was surprised as well. Though not a baseball power, they are quite good more often than not and a solid program. Bragga was there a long time and did a good job.

Smith has already brought in Cooper Farris who has been around baseball a long time at various pro and college jobs. He will be a great aid to Smith to get Tech back on track from last years dip. He retained the other coaches on staff, as they were solid gets when Bragga and the coach that got fired brought them in. Took 2 of last 3 against Vandy.

Rundown for last 10 years:
330-240 overall with 4 season 40 or more wins and 6 at 30+ wins. Best in 2018 at 53-12.
16-19 against Power 5 conferences with wins against Vandy, UT, WV, FSU, NW, Texas, and Ole Miss
NCAA tourney 3 times. Back to back in 2017/2018
NCAA Region champs 2018.
NCAA Super Regional Appearance 2018.
4 OVC season titles and 2 OVC tourney titles

They have elevated their 2020 schedule with a record 8 P5 games on schedule if they are all played due to weather. Weekend 3 game series at NC State, single games at KY, GT, Vandy, and a 2 game mid-week at Duke. They dropped UT this year. that was normally a schedule staple along with Vandy. Not too sure how strong their roster is this year. They only had two 2019 starters left from the 2018 team that went to the Supers, and the other 8 got drafted after that season. Young roster right now. Only 5 seniors, and Carrera (OF) only one I know of that had significant start time last 2 years. Will be interesting to see what Smith does with them first year.

 

[NowWhat?]

I guess partaking in recreational drugs in the baseball office (field) is frowned upon at Tennessee Tech

 

[BruinVol]

I guess partaking in recreational drugs in the baseball office (field) is frowned upon at Tennessee Tech

yes it is.

 

[GVF]

I guess partaking in recreational drugs in the baseball office (field) is frowned upon at Tennessee Tech

Ah. Yes that would be. Hadn't heard that yet.

 

[LexVol71]

My daughter is Associate Athletic Director for Development at Tech. It seems they are really excited about their new head coach.

 

[RollerVol]

GVF...Satterfield?...he's at Louisville...hadn't heard the "got canned for conduct" before...wow...anyway, he's making more money...

GO BIG ORANGE!

 

[GVF]

GVF...Satterfield?...he's at Louisville...hadn't heard the "got canned for conduct" before...wow...anyway, he's making more money...

GO BIG ORANGE!

LOL. Wrong Satterfield. Wish Tech did have the other one.

 

[Volsbaseballfan1]

I guess partaking in recreational drugs in the baseball office (field) is frowned upon at Tennessee Tech

You would think coaches would have learned after what happened to Cannizzaro at Miss St

 

[TNfan#2]

TTU made a SOLID hire by bringing in Steve Smith. I'm actually very surprised he took the job. But kudo's to Tech for pulling it off. TTU has always been a solid baseball school. I wish them nothing but the best. I don't know what the other coach did to get walked out the door, but it will turn out to be a blessing in disguise for TTU in the long term.

Looking up their NCAA Tournament history via wikipedia, of the six times they've made they tournament, with the exception of 1956, they've always managed to win at least 1 game every time. Never the last team standing, but they've been consistent at sending at least 1 other team home first.

Having a former Big 12 coach could be interesting going forward.

 

[Smokey'sHandler]

I know this is the UT Baseball thread, but it is baseball nonetheless. TnTech made the NCAA 2 years ago and did great. Then Bragga left for Rice. The assistant coach was promoted and had a decent but not so impressive season last year, after 8 guys got drafted off a senior laden team. And graduated a strong senior last year that rounded out the talent loss from that NCAA super regional team. Then was released for conduct a few months ago. Seems Tech somehow made a really good hire bringing in Baylor's all-time winning coach (former coach?). And he brought in a old salt baseball coach to help out. As a local and someone who enjoys Tech baseball, it will be interesting to see what he does with a program Bragga was developing into a decent program.

No worries on starting a Tech thread. I had a couple going two years ago when they were making their big run. I am super excited about the Smith hire. I work with a former Baylor player and he had nothing but great things to say about the guy. He had lunch with Smith recently and said he fell in love with the area and current players. Hopefully that sticks and he hangs around for a while. I am very curious to see what his recruiting looks like. Recruiting TN is going to be much different than recruiting TX and AL. Also recruiting to Tech is going to be much different than to Baylor and The Barn. He is going to have to develop a lower tier of talent as well which I don’t believe he has done in his previous stops. If he can on the pitching side though look out!

 

[Smokey'sHandler]

I got to catch their double header against Evansville yesterday and below are some observations:

Jason Hinchman has picked up where he left off as being one of the nations top power hitters by hitting two bombs in the first game. He looked to be more patient at the plate and I believe that is going to lead to him being more than just a power hitter this year.

Dyer looks like he is going to be able to build off his Freshman All-American season.

They have a freshman SS who hits lead off. He has some speed and a solid bat.

1-6 in their line-up is going to be a tough out as it has been for the past 4 years. These guys can swing it and from Smiths post game comments it appears that he really likes what he has in his line-up.

Pitching, especially the bullpen, is going to hold them back again this year. Their #1 Hersey threw well coming off of injury. He has draftable stuff. Depending on how well Smith works with him I could see him being a 15 to 25 round type prospect.

I was not impressed with their #2.

Their #3 throwing today is a freshman. I don’t know much about him. Maybe me and the boy will be able to swing by and catch a glimpse of him.

Their bullpen is atrocious like last year and is in desperate need of work. Hopefully Smith can get them boys going. If they can hold off runs in the later innings Tech will have a chance in the OVC.

As they sit right now they will be improved over last year but still be a middle of the pack OVC team. But who knows Smith is a pitching specialist and a very good one. If he can get good consistency out of the bullpen they may be able to make some noise with the offense they have.

Baseball is literally the only sport I follow at my Alma Mater. If we can keep a Tech thread alive I can keep all up to date who may be interested.

 

[OldTimer]

I got to catch their double header against Evansville yesterday and below are some observations:

Jason Hinchman has picked up where he left off as being one of the nations top power hitters by hitting two bombs in the first game. He looked to be more patient at the plate and I believe that is going to lead to him being more than just a power hitter this year.

Dyer looks like he is going to be able to build off his Freshman All-American season.

They have a freshman SS who hits lead off. He has some speed and a solid bat.

1-6 in their line-up is going to be a tough out as it has been for the past 4 years. These guys can swing it and from Smiths post game comments it appears that he really likes what he has in his line-up.

Pitching, especially the bullpen, is going to hold them back again this year. Their #1 Hersey threw well coming off of injury. He has draftable stuff. Depending on how well Smith works with him I could see him being a 15 to 25 round type prospect.

I was not impressed with their #2.

Their #3 throwing today is a freshman. I don’t know much about him. Maybe me and the boy will be able to swing by and catch a glimpse of him.

Their bullpen is atrocious like last year and is in desperate need of work. Hopefully Smith can get them boys going. If they can hold off runs in the later innings Tech will have a chance in the OVC.

As they sit right now they will be improved over last year but still be a middle of the pack OVC team. But who knows Smith is a pitching specialist and a very good one. If he can get good consistency out of the bullpen they may be able to make some noise with the offense they have.

Baseball is literally the only sport I follow at my Alma Mater. If we can keep a Tech thread alive I can keep all up to date who may be interested.

I'd love to see more updates from Tech and even ETSU. Its hard to get a lot of info from these mid-tier schools. If Smith was smart he'd start poaching excess pitchers from Auburn and Tennessee after the fall. His staff would be more than adequate at that point.......thanks for the updates!

 

[TNfan#2]

I'd love to see more updates from Tech and even ETSU. Its hard to get a lot of info from these mid-tier schools. If Smith was smart he'd start poaching excess pitchers from Auburn and Tennessee after the fall. His staff would be more than adequate at that point.......thanks for the updates!

I say this as a proud ETSU alumni and fan. Our baseball sucks. They've made it once to the NCAA tourny a few years ago, and that was their first time ever. Outside of the mens basketball occasionally going one and done in the big dance, none of our sports have really done anything. The closest ETSU has had any sport do something significant was 1996 when the Golf team finished 3rd in the NCAA Tournament.

 

[BruinVol]

I say this as a proud ETSU alumni and fan. Our baseball sucks. They've made it once to the NCAA tourny a few years ago, and that was their first time ever. Outside of the mens basketball occasionally going one and done in the big dance, none of our sports have really done anything. The closest ETSU has had any sport do something significant was 1996 when the Golf team finished 3rd in the NCAA Tournament.

Etsu has a hell of a Friday night starter this year. Bigtime velo

 

[Smokey'sHandler]

Well boys Tech completed the sweep of Evansville today to start the Smith era off. I didn’t get to watch the game today my son went down for nap time when the game was supposed to start and we didn’t make it out there. Tech put together 9 runs in the final 3 innings to win 11-10.

From the looks of the box score the freshman #3 had an OK outing for a collegiate debut. Didn’t get to see his stuff but this is a Sunday start as a Freshman so he has to be pretty good. It may have been first start nerves.

It appears the bullpen lived up to my expectations giving up 7 runs. It was a horrid outing for the bullpen as a whole in their first season series. As noted in my previous post I will be curious to see how well they develop over the year under Smith’s tutelage.

Remember the name Jason Hinchman. The guy hit 24 dingers last year but didn’t hit well for average. Dude went 9 for 13 with 5 round trippers in their opening series closing with a 3 home run day today. It would not surprise me if he led the nation in homers this season.

 

[Volsbaseballfan1]

Etsu has a hell of a Friday night starter this year. Bigtime velo

Friday Night guys at mid majors are no joke at all. I was pretty impressed with Western Illinois pitcher on Friday. You’re in a dog fight on Fridays no matter the opponent in college baseball.

 

[Volsbaseballfan1]

Well boys Tech completed the sweep of Evansville today to start the Smith era off. I didn’t get to watch the game today my son went down for nap time when the game was supposed to start and we didn’t make it out there. Tech put together 9 runs in the final 3 innings to win 11-10.

From the looks of the box score the freshman #3 had an OK outing for a collegiate debut. Didn’t get to see his stuff but this is a Sunday start as a Freshman so he has to be pretty good. It may have been first start nerves.

It appears the bullpen lived up to my expectations giving up 7 runs. It was a horrid outing for the bullpen as a whole in their first season series. As noted in my previous post I will be curious to see how well they develop over the year under Smith’s tutelage.

Remember the name Jason Hinchman. The guy hit 24 dingers last year but didn’t hit well for average. Dude went 9 for 13 with 5 round trippers in their opening series closing with a 3 home run day today. It would not surprise me if he led the nation in homers this season.

Steve Smith will do a really good job at Tech. He got a raw deal at Baylor.

 

[BruinVol]

Vandy losses 2/3
happy days

 

[TNfan#2]

Tn Tech goes to Lipscomb midweek. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt simply due to being the better team.

ETSU went 3-0 opening against Toledo. Midweek they go to Virginia Tech. This could be odd. On paper if not in practice, Virginia Tech should be favored. An ACC school vs a nobody SoCon team. VT lost to San Diego State and UNC Greensboro. A game vs Coastal Carolina was cancelled.

 

[GVF]

No worries on starting a Tech thread. I had a couple going two years ago when they were making their big run. I am super excited about the Smith hire. I work with a former Baylor player and he had nothing but great things to say about the guy. He had lunch with Smith recently and said he fell in love with the area and current players. Hopefully that sticks and he hangs around for a while. I am very curious to see what his recruiting looks like. Recruiting TN is going to be much different than recruiting TX and AL. Also recruiting to Tech is going to be much different than to Baylor and The Barn. He is going to have to develop a lower tier of talent as well which I don’t believe he has done in his previous stops. If he can on the pitching side though look out!

We don't make as many games as we should, but me and my son go over a few times. I enjoy going to the Tech games. If I had not forgot about the home opener this weekend, I would have gone yesterday. My son plays at Jackson Cty. Smith is more than welcome to recruit him to the developmental squad. We have an idiot coach, and my son had injury issues carrying over from football last year, so I am hoping he gets back on track this year and has his breakout season.

 

[GVF]

Vandy losses 2/3
happy days

Tech has had moderate success against Vandy overall, especially last 4 years.

 

[GVF]

Well boys Tech completed the sweep of Evansville today to start the Smith era off. I didn’t get to watch the game today my son went down for nap time when the game was supposed to start and we didn’t make it out there. Tech put together 9 runs in the final 3 innings to win 11-10.

From the looks of the box score the freshman #3 had an OK outing for a collegiate debut. Didn’t get to see his stuff but this is a Sunday start as a Freshman so he has to be pretty good. It may have been first start nerves.

It appears the bullpen lived up to my expectations giving up 7 runs. It was a horrid outing for the bullpen as a whole in their first season series. As noted in my previous post I will be curious to see how well they develop over the year under Smith’s tutelage.

Remember the name Jason Hinchman. The guy hit 24 dingers last year but didn’t hit well for average. Dude went 9 for 13 with 5 round trippers in their opening series closing with a 3 home run day today. It would not surprise me if he led the nation in homers this season.

You'll have to wear a shirt that says Smokey's Handler so we can hook up at the games.

 

[GVF]

I'd love to see more updates from Tech and even ETSU. Its hard to get a lot of info from these mid-tier schools. If Smith was smart he'd start poaching excess pitchers from Auburn and Tennessee after the fall. His staff would be more than adequate at that point.......thanks for the updates!

Tech has really good up to date info on athletics. Excellent sports web site.

ttusports.com