Kolaitis new UAB Softball Coach

[slot canyon 164]

Jimmy Kolaitis was one of my "dark horses" for the AU job last year.  He has been hired as HC of softball at UAB (uabsports.com/news).  I feel he is someone to watch for the future.  He has spent last 5 seasons as assistant at Oregon.  Has worked with Scrap Yard Dogs and Chicago Bandits.  Worked as recruiting coordinator and assistant coach at South Alabama2008-2013.  I had seen face book interaction between he and Cooper in the past.  He is said to be a very personable and should have recruiting connections on west coast as well as in the south.   This may be interesting to follow.

[OlderWhiskey 309]

He is also an excellent hitting coach, as I understand.Would love to have had him for that, but really no motivation for him to make a lateral move from Oregon to AU.  This will probably adversely affect our recruiting in the Birmingham area.

[boomstick 819]

Proud for Jimmy. He was one of my HS baseball coaches when I was at Lee-Scott. Great dude who has worked his way up through the ranks. 

[around4ever 1,844]

2 hours ago, OlderWhiskey said:

He is also an excellent hitting coach, as I understand.Would love to have had him for that, but really no motivation for him to make a lateral move from Oregon to AU.  This will probably adversely affect our recruiting in the Birmingham area.

He should be a great hire for UAB.  I'm sure he will get a few but I don't see him hurting Auburn and Alabama locally.  

[OlderWhiskey 309]

You may be right. For perspective, we currently have 3 players on roster from the Bham area. Greenwood, Olszewski, and Tissier.

[around4ever 1,844]

15 minutes ago, OlderWhiskey said:

You may be right. For perspective, we currently have 3 players on roster from the Bham area. Greenwood, Olszewski, and Tissier.

If he can put them into regionals in a couple of years, he may be able to use that to lure a few of the top local players. 

[GBAU83 178]

Maybe he can make a little headway here and then if we need to make another HC move, he would already be established  in the area.  Not suggesting we need to move from CMD yet, just thinking this could work our way in the future if needed.

[slot canyon 164]

16 hours ago, GBAU83 said:

Maybe he can make a little headway here and then if we need to make another HC move, he would already be established  in the area.  Not suggesting we need to move from CMD yet, just thinking this could work our way in the future if needed.

GBAU83 That was in part my reasoning for the original post.  Like yourself, I hope Coach Dean can get the program moving in a winning direction but we should keep our eyes on coach K.  I doubt he is making this move with thoughts of it being his long term job but rather a demonstration of what he can do as a HC.....clearly just an opinion on my part.  I did not realize that UAB Mary Bowers Field (2016) now has approximately 1000 seats. (100 "premium seats" located behind home plate with chair back).  Last game I attended there prior to the upgrade I don't believe  they had more than 300-400 seats.  I have not checked today, but as of yesterday, I did not see anything about the hire in the B;ham paper...…….from my perspective this is a big hire for them so surprised at lack of coverage in local rag.  Hope to find out more about his staff and terms of his contract.  Since I live in the area, may attend some games.