The University of Mississippi Athletics
Search For New Head Baseball Coach Continues
5/24/2000 | Baseball
May 24, 2000
OXFORD, Miss. - The search for a new head baseball coach at Ole Miss appears to be going well, according to Athletic Director John Shafer.
"We have talked to many outstanding candidates or people recommending potential candidates," Shafer said of his efforts to fill the Rebel baseball program vacancy, noting that he hopes to have a new coach in place by the first or second week of June.
"Several of the people I am interested in are involved with teams participating in the NCAA tournament, which impacts face-to-face contacts," he said. "Getting a coach on board may take a little longer to finalize. Out of respect for those programs attempting to get to the College World Series, it becomes difficult to work out an interview schedule."
Although he wouldn't comment on the number of applicants he has received seeking the job or release any names, Shafer said he has been impressed with the caliber of people showing an interest in the position.
"We have had some outstanding candidates express their desire to become the next head baseball coach at Ole Miss," Shafer said. "I have to get the list down to a workable number, but I really don't know what that number is at this time. I have had some good conversations on the phone with some candidates, and also had some limited face-to-face contact.
"We play in one of the toughest baseball conferences in the nation and have one of the finest collegiate facilities in the sport. There is so much interest that there hasn't been enough hours in the day to get back to everyone as quickly as I would like. However, I am confident we will hire a person who wants to be here for a long period of time and give Ole Miss the successful baseball program we all desire."