RedDirtFan

I think you're confusing us with Dean. 'Annie get yer gun' has her bright spots, but Dean doesn't believe in her, or enough to give her the innings.

...or dropped his hat in it, or napped under a dog's behind . I've got a million of 'em.

Not to mention the underlying turd in the punchbowl: How we were eliminated from SEC Tourney. Have Shelby and Dean moved on from their exchange between taters that knocked them out? The optics were bad, I would have liked to be a fly on the wall. I don't put it on Shelby. There was a better choice to relieve Penta and the payer told Dean there was an issue, which he pig-headedly ignored and did what he wanted, which ended up over the wall. Don't let the door hit ya where the Good Lord split ya!

Did it last year as well. Here's the underwhelming reaction posted to IG. Team vibe is low: http://https://www.instagram.com/reel/C648wXoAn6x/?igsh=aDhrcmxhd3V2OGc=

Gajewski is underpaid based upon his performance, his rivals in the sport just left for the SEC and he'd like to play against his former teammate & friend, Tim Walton. What about the former PAC12 coaches that will now spend their seasons flying from coast to coast, away from families, trying to recruit into that mess...there are some quality coaches in there.

Same...but you hit on a key point: The players have to truly want it, not just say it or go through the motions with the new HC. Whether they like it or not, they've been auditioning for their next job since Deanb's retirement announcement. There won't be an opportunity to show that you want it now. The die has been cast.

She might be willing, but this is a 2-way street. KK can have the desire to return, but the next coach doesn't have to offer her another year. She could work something out with Cohen, assessing a roster spot tax and potentially scholarship implications, handcuffing the new HC. I think Cohen is smarter then to make decisions for a coach that hasn't even been spoken to yet. If she doesn't work it out with Cohen, the new HC will decide if he wants to offer her a spot. It's not her decision...we've had 5th years over the past 2 years that were willing and eligible to come back. Aspyn was declined, then later offered a spot. Lindsay and Carlee said they would return, but were not offered. I suspect KK will be in the second category as the new HC starts with a new slate and brings in her squad.

We have Annie comin back as our Ace, Emma, and Alayna, so we've got a good start on a bullpen. I think we're finally done with Super Seniors in the portal, so next year will be a big reset in the league. I don't think anyone argues that Dean drove this program into the ground. Mickey is a great guy, outside of the program. Anybody that believes he's the saint that he's being portrayed as on the broadcasts should take a long look at the exchange between him and Shelby in between HR's on Wednesday night. I feel for his health and wish him a quick recovery.

Portal activity is about to go through the roof.

The war chest I was informed of eclipses what Dean makes and gets into the Mike White stratosphere. It will be somebody proven, likely coaches in OKC every year...No promos from within. This is a 2-way street...We have to pursue and they have to be willing to leave a program that they've molded into a successful, perennial competitor nationally, including their incoming recruits. NLIs can be broken, existing players can be excused unofficially (ref Trisha Ford and Mike White) to make room for players/recruits from their previous programs. This is about to be very exciting for the fan base, but brutal on the players that stick around.

She has always jogged to 1st, casual catches...I guess she's too cool to make an effort for her team. She will bust it to make a play occasionally, but is too casual most of the time. Very talented, not motivated. I bet she hits the portal, but her body of work this year doesn't match her potential...maybe SC will pick her up to replace graduating Denver. That coach is good at seeing untapped potential and motivating the players.

Classic Mickey. Our girls deserve better. It's an awkward spot....I can't wait to never see that idiot in his crown of crap-stained hat leave, but that means the end for these Seniors.

I don't even see her in the dugout, I hope it's my old eyes.

Nothing against Phillip, but he reports. If the Leadership was serious about this program, they would accelerate the timeline, name the successor that is truly an Auburn Woman/Man and put the clown in the hat out to pasture as special assistant to the regional manager.

The players despise him, but put on a good face for the sake of the program and their own careers. They want to attract a quality coach, so some of it is a show. They’re auditioning for their next job, which could be thru the portal. if there’s not a coach named, it’s tough to recruit and keep those players that are committed. NLI is a little stickier, but players we’ve signed are also in jeopardy. Players have certain traits that serve different offenses/defenses better than others. I wouldn’t roll the dice unless I knew the program I was getting into. The school plays a part in the show and will attract diehards, but not all of the gamechanger are Auburn fans. Social media plays a part, that’s why we’re blasting out everytime we embarrass a JuCo or Mid-Major. The move was necessary, but they need to name a replacement quickly to shorten the reboot phase next year.

That's a good list...I definitely think the next hire will be a woman: Kenny G - You're smoking crack, but would definitely be a conference upgrade for him after all of his buddies flee his conference. Pete D - Good chance he would upgrade his conference Marissa - I've said somewhere else, so I apologize if this is repetitive...She's built a legacy at Duke and she needs to manage health issues within her family. The timing is not right to make a big move. Singleton - Great offensive mind. He might think he's ready to take the wheel, but I'm not sure we can afford to take the chance. Does he leverage Carosone to manage D while he improves our O? Ricketts - She's turned that program around from where Van left it and they are the dark horse in the conference this year. Speaking of Ricketts, she's done a great job maturing from Assistant to HC, which bodes well for Carosone, but I still don't think that's the answer.

Who can replace McD? I know Daddyball coaches that would do better given these resources. That's setting the bar pretty low 🤣. Let's find a coach who can truly call themselves an Auburn Woman or Man: Sam Ricketts, MS State Tripp McKay, Kennesaw State

Unfortunately for her, she hasn't had the best tutelage. McD didn't give her much responsibility. She probably learned more watching her dad coach. She deserves a spot on the roster and an opportunity to learn...I hope they don't nuke the whole staff, but take out cancers surgically.

The best we can hope for is for the University to wake up and make a change...I know we've been saying that for some time. Maybe we've got it wrong...In business, you always "follow the money". Maybe the Yella Fella needs to see some of this...that's how we got the new locker room.

Let it go. Those players have moved on to greener pastures and their struggle doesn’t help Maddie pitch any better. Wish them well and focus on what we have to work with. If we have less to work with, address the problem. It’s not NIL, it’s not the school, it’s not the fans (except the imposters that bash these student athletes), it’s Dickey Mean’s caustic and abusive culture. He pulled us out of the death spiral that the Myers put us in, but we should have left him as ‘interim’ while we found a D1 coach. Now we’re in a different nose dive altogether.

Thanks for posting. I like the comments about hitting: It's not about technique, but about putting up the numbers. That explains a lot.

I'm not sure

I share your concern and admiration of Carosone. I'd prefer to see more experience in the captain's chair, but she was promoted to Associate Head Coach, which I see as a leading indicator. I'm not sure how you bring in a new HC with that title on staff and you can't take the promotion away. I think they've already made the decision and Cohen's waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I'm noticing a trend...what else changed in the program in 2017??? I'm not suggesting that we return to the sexual predatory environment...but these young women just deserve better. It's hard to attract SEC softball talent with a great education & mid softball experience. My prediction is that we miss Supers again for Penta's senior year (shame), Dean steps down for personal reasons and Carosone takes the reigns starting in 2024-25.