By Will Vandervort.
With Clemson’s decision to not retain Hall of Fame coach Jack Leggett, the search for his replacement begins immediately.
What will athletic director Dan Radakovich look for in a head coach? Bill Wilhelm and Jack Leggett set a high standard.
Since 1958, Wilhelm and Leggett combined for 2,116 victories.
Clemson ranks as the eighth-winningest baseball program in the country. The Tigers have also been to 40 NCAA Tournaments, with 12 of those 40 years ending in Omaha for the College World Series.
Radakovich has his work cut out for him.
“Clemson Baseball is a premier brand and positioned to compete for championships in the near future,” Radakovich said. “Following the great work of Coaches Wilhelm and Leggett, this is a program that will build upon a solid foundation. And I know we’re going to find the right coach to continue the tradition of excellence we all expect.”
Here is a list of candidates to replace Leggett:
Dan Heefner, head coach Dallas Baptist, 8 years: He just led Dallas Baptist to a 45-16 record this season which ended earlier this week in a loss to VCU in the Dallas Regional. Heefner, 40, had a 256-153 record (.626) entering 2015. Four times in the last five years Heefner’s teams have reached 40 wins.
Monte Lee, head coach College of Charleston, 7 years: Lee, 38, just completed his seventh season in Charleston. One of the hot young coaches in the country, he’s found a way to win with less. The Cougars went 45-15 this season, which ended with a loss in the Tallahassee Regional finals to Florida State. Lee, who was an assistant coach under Ray Tanner at South Carolina for six seasons, has 276-145 record at C of C. His teams have appeared in four NCAA Tournaments.
Kevin McMullen, associate head coach Virginia, 12 years: McMullen is considered one of the top assistant coaches in the country. In his time at Virginia, he’s helped guide the Cavaliers to more than 540 wins. Before 2015, Virginia led the ACC in batting average in each of the last six years. His name has come up in several major head coaching jobs over the last couple of years.
Dan Hartleb, head coach Illinois, 10 years: His team will play Vanderbilt in a Super Regional this weekend. The Illini is 50-8-1 heading into the Super Regional. In his 10 years as a head coach, he has 326 victories. Illinois was 25-1 in the Big Ten this past season.
Chris Lemonis, head coach Indiana, 1 year: A Myrtle Beach native who played baseball at The Citadel, Lemonis led the Hoosiers to a 35-24 record in his first year as head coach, which included a trip to the NCAA Tournament. His team lost to Vanderbilt in the Nashville Regional finals. As an assistant coach at Louisville from 2007-14, he helped the Cardinals reach the CWS in 2013 and 2014.
John Szefc, head coach Maryland, 3 years: Szefc guided his squad to the Super Regional where they will play Virginia. The Terps are 42-22 this year. He spent two seasons a coach in the ACC where his teams averaged 35 wins a year. His win totals in each of the last three years have been the best Maryland has seen since 1971.