By William Qualkinbush.

By William Qualkinbush.

Change is not easy. In fact, I hate change. I hate everything about it.

We never move forward without change, but we could also move backwards. In the moment, you never really know for sure.

Even though I hate change, though, I have this recognition: Sitting still isn’t an option, ever. The old athletic adage “If you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse” applies in life, regardless of the specifics of the situation.

Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich parted ways with long-time head coach Jack Leggett on Thursday, and the decision was no doubt reached with this adage in mind. Even given the uncertainty of change, he made the call that change was necessary.

Radakovich spoke of a perceived plateau within the Clemson baseball program that concerned him, so he made uncomfortable change in an effort to enhance the slope of the trend line. He spoke of Clemson baseball in terms that should delight fans—a championship magnet that should be competing for trophies on an annual basis, both at the conference and national level. He said these things while also recognizing the “difficult” landscape of college baseball.

In many different platforms, I have called for a fair and just assessment of athletic performance that spans the entirety of sport. Players, coaches, and administrators should be held accountable for things they can control. There should be no ambiguity. The divides should be clear.

There will always be a separation of blame when things go awry, as they did in 2015 when Clemson posted its worst winning percentage in baseball in more than 50 years. Often times, placing blame in its proper place doesn’t mean change is necessary. Radakovich decided there was enough of that blame that fell upon the coach—as opposed to himself or the players—and pulled the trigger, albeit with days of consideration before doing so.

Jack Leggett wasn’t named to the Hall of Fame by accident. In a manner of speaking, the college baseball community held him accountable for his results by doling out enough accolades to fill multiple trophy cases. His track record over two-plus decades at Clemson speaks for itself, and his impact on the program cannot be aptly measured.

Personally, I have a deep respect for Leggett. He is not what many outsiders perceive him to be. Over the years, I have found him engaging, personable, and passionate. That passion came from his desire to win at all costs, but it also came courtesy of his loyalty and love for Clemson University. Sadly, that undying appreciation for the school seemed to go unnoticed as sentiments soured toward him from some corners of the fan base over the last handful of seasons.

When I was a student, he invited me into his office for a chat about my brother as he was attempting to evaluate his options for playing in college. He didn’t know me, but he knew my brother from his appearances at summer camps, and he knew his game intimately enough to offer advice.

I never forgot that conversation. He may never know how important it truly was.

As I began to explore a career in broadcasting, Leggett became a sort of advocate for me. I loved doing interviews with him, both as a student working in the athletic department and as a play-by-play guy trying to gain insight prior to games. In fact, the avatar for my blog is a closeup of me doing an interview with Leggett for the school’s athletic website. Clemson has been blessed with some engaging coaches over the years, and he was among my favorites to spend time with on camera or on air.

Even this season, as rumors swirled all around the program, Leggett seemed as relaxed and at-ease as he had ever been. During a midseason conversation, one person close to the program expressed pride in Leggett’s ability to truly enjoy spending time with his players during a season that could have been tumultuous for everybody.

In coaching, wins and losses are the bottom line. Coaches are held accountable for their records, both in the positive and the negative. Whatever the underlying circumstances, it’s fair to say Leggett was held to both forms of accountability over the course of his coaching career.

So today, all of us must deal with change. For the first time in a long time, Leggett must deal with change and plot a new pathway forward, whether in coaching or in another avenue. Radakovich must deal with change by finding a remedy for Clemson baseball’s plateau rather than a continuation of it under new leadership.

Fans must deal with change by supporting the program in a unified manner and trusting leadership to make a hire that returns Tiger baseball to prominence on an annual basis. The remaining players must deal with change understanding their own roles in a disappointing season and embarking upon a quest to fix those issues during the offseason.

I, too, must deal with change because a coach I hold in the highest regard will not be manning the Clemson baseball program for the first time since I was three years old.

Here’s hoping change works out well for everyone, no matter how uncomfortable it may be.

God Bless!

WQ