After Clemson athletic director Dan Radakovich fired Hall of Fame baseball coach Jack Leggett last Thursday, The Clemson Insider immediately put out a list of candidates to replace the Tigers’ longtime head coach.
Today, we update that list to show who is interested in the job, who isn’t and who Clemson is interested in. What will Radakovich look for in a head coach? Bill Wilhelm and 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 the updated list of candidates to replace Leggett:
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 a 276-145 record at C of C. His teams have appeared in four NCAA Tournaments.
His interest level: He will listen to what Clemson has to offer. However, it might take a lot for Clemson to entice him away from Charleston, where his camp is saying he really likes his job at the College of Charleston and feels he is in shape to win there for a long period of time.
Clemson’s interest: Lee has to be at the top of the Tigers list. His recruiting ties to the state and southeast cannot be overlooked, neither can the fact that he has won at a high level at a small school that offers some of the same challenges he will face at Clemson.
Is he a strong candidate? Absolutely.
John Szefc, head coach Maryland, 3 years: Szefc guided his squad to a Super Regional for a second straight year. The Terps were 42-24 this year. He spent two seasons as 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.
His interest level: Not really sure at this point. The Terps just wrapped up their season and his camp has been quiet about any potential job openings.
Clemson’s interest: Szefc has won at Maryland. He has coached in the ACC. He understands the landscape of the ACC and he knows how to win despite having even fewer limitations to work with than at Clemson.
Is he a strong candidate? Absolutely.
Randy Mazey, head coach West Virginia, 3 years: In his three years at West Virginia his teams have went from 33-26 in his first year to 28-26 in year two, and 27-27 this year. But he won 120 games as the head coach at East Carolina from 2003-’05, including a 51-13 record in 2004. He has also worked as an assistant coach at Clemson, Georgia, Tennessee and TCU since becoming a coach in 1990.
His interest level: He would love to come back to Clemson, where he played from 1985-’88 under Wilhelm.
Clemson’s interest: He is a Clemson guy, who played and coached under Wilhelm. He has ties to the state through his time as an assistant coach under Wilhelm and when he was the head coach at Charleston Southern and East Carolina.
Is he a strong candidate? Yes. As we reported, he interviewed for the job on Sunday.
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.
His interest level: He would listen if Clemson is interested. He has been looking at landing a job at a southern school that has been a power in college baseball.
Clemson’s interest: McMullan served as acting head coach at East Carolina in 2001-02 for Keith LeClair, who was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. During that season, McMullan coached ECU to a 43-20 record, Conference USA Championship and NCAA Regional Final. At ECU, he served as the recruiting coordinator, hitting coach and catching instructor. In McMullan’s three years at ECU, the Pirates posted a record of 138-46, which placed ECU among the top five programs in the country in wins, averaging 46 victories a season. East Carolina won three conference championships and an NCAA Regional Championship while earning two No. 1 seeds and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA tournament. In McMullan’s three years, the Pirates finished in the Top 25 each season. In 2002, he recruited and coached NCBWA National Freshman Player of the Year Darryl Lawhorn.
Is he a strong candidate? Yes.
Jim Toman, head coach Liberty, 8 years: Three of his teams have won 40 games and all three have come since 2010. This past season, the Flames went 33-23 and 16-8 in their conference. He has won 64 percent of his games a Liberty and 68 percent of his conference games. In 2014, he was named the Big South Coach of the Year.
His interest level: If Clemson wants to talk, he definitely will listen to what Clemson has to say.
Clemson’s interest: He was Ray Tanner’s recruiting coordinator at South Carolina for 11 seasons so he knows and understands the landscape of recruiting in South Carolina and around the southeast. He was known as one of the nation’s best recruiters while at USC. He also worked on Tanner’s staff at NC State for seven years.
Is he a strong candidate? Not right now, but he heads up the list of second-tier coaches.
Dan Hartleb, head coach Illinois, 10 years: His team will play Vanderbilt in Game 3 of the Super Regional today. The Illini is 51-9-1 heading into the last game of the Super Regional. In his 10 years as a head coach, he has 327 victories. Illinois was 25-1 in the Big Ten this past season.
His interest level: He would more than likely listen if Clemson were to call. A program like Clemson’s is the next logical step for Hartleb, who is showing he can win at a program that has traditionally been down.
Clemson’s interest: He has proven he can win despite being in the Big Ten, which is not known for its baseball, and he is one win away from taking Illinois to the College World Series. With those credentials, he has to be someone the Tigers are keeping an eye on.
Is he a strong candidate? He might not be Clemson’s first choice, but he is definitely in that second tier of coaches.
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.
His interest level: He is from South Carolina and would love nothing more than to get back into his home state. He also would be excited about coaching in the ACC and competing against his old school, Louisville.
Clemson’s interest: He has ties to the state and that always helps in recruiting. He has a great background at a very established program in Louisville. Also, he has had some success as a first-year head coach.
Is he a strong candidate? Like Harleb, he would not be Clemson’s first choice, but he is included in that second tier group of coaches.
Matthew LeCroy, bullpen coach Washington Nationals, 2 years: LeCroy started his coaching career as a manager in the minor leagues for the Nationals. In 2013 he moved to the bullpen coach for the National. He is from the area going to BHP and then playing for Clemson. LeCroy played in the majors for seven years where he hit 60 home runs.
His interest level: Sources has confirmed to TCI that LeCroy would be very interested in the position. He loves Clemson and it would be hard for him to turn down an opportunity to coach the Tigers.
Clemson’s interest: LeCrroy was not on the initial list of names we received for the candidate list, but we are hearing he could be moving on the list of candidates.
Is he a strong candidate? If the interest is there from Clemson he is a very strong candidate.
David Perno, television baseball anaylst: Perno coached at Georgia for 11 years where he went 124-127-1. In his last three seasons at Georgia they finished 33-32, 31-26 and 21-32. He took Georgia to the College World Series in 2004, 2006 and 2008.
His interest level: TCI reported last week that Perno was very interested in the position and had been in dialogue with Dan Radakovich.
Clemson’s interest: We do not believe Perno is on the top list of candidates.
Is he a strong candidate? No
Billy McMillon, manager in the Boston Red Sox farm system, 8 years: He coached the Greenville Drive for two seasons and one playoff appearance from 2010-2012. After leaving Greenville due to a promotion, he led Salem to a league championship. Played at Clemson under Wilhelm from 1991-’93.
His interest level: Sources have informed TCI that McMillon has expressed interest in the job to those at Clemson.
Clemson’s interest: Not sure what Clemson’s interest is at this time, but it has to be intrigued to have a former star player, who played in the Major Leagues for nine seasons. It also helps he is from Bishopville, S.C. and coached at Greenville, which can help him in his ability to build relationships on the recruiting trial.
Is he a strong candidate? Not at this time. The only thing that hurts McMillon is the fact he has never coached in college so he will have to come prepared with a strong plan if indeed Radakovich entertains an interview.
Dan Heefner, head coach Dallas Baptist, 8 years: He just led Dallas Baptist to a 45-16 record this season which ended with 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.
His interest level: It’s doubtful he is interested at all. He just turned down the Baylor opening and there seems to be no reason on why he would want to leave the state of Texas to take the job at Clemson.
Clemson’s interest: Clemson will or probably already has reached out to his camp, but this strictly is a means to do its due diligence.
Is he a strong candidate? No.
Jim Schlossnagle, head coach TCU, 12 years: Schlossnagle has won more games (465) in 11 years than any coach in TCU history after posting the top 10 win totals in school history. He is 465-221 (.679) as the head coach at TCU and 542-268 (.669) in 13 years as a head coach. His team will play Texas A&M in Game 3 of a Super Regional today.
His interest level: Like Heefner, it’s doubtful he is interested in the job. He seems to be content at staying at TCU, where he has had a lot of success.
Clemson’s interest: This is the kind of coach Radakovich would love to bring in. Has experience coaching in big games and has been to Super Regionals and has been to the College World Series. It also helps he has tied to Clemson as an assistant coach back in 1993.
Is he a strong candidate? No. Though Clemson is interested in him, he just does not appear to be interested in leaving TCU, which if you look at what he has done the last 10 years it makes sense. TCU’s baseball program is just as good as Clemson’s, and given the situation right now, you can argue its better.