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What were circumstances surrounding Ron Polk/Pat McMahon and Polk coming back?
Posted on 5/12/25 at 2:22 pm
Posted on 5/12/25 at 2:22 pm
Kinda reminds me of Augie Garrido leaving Fullerton, Cochelle taking over, and Garrido coming back. It’s not like Polk was bad at UGa and McMahon was bad at State. Was one or both pissed at admin at the new school or something? Crazy how the stars aligned for Polk to come right back. I know Polk basically picked McMahon to be his successor at MSU.
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Posted on 5/12/25 at 2:24 pm to Trough Urinal
UGA simply wasn't supporting baseball enough in That era. There is a ton of other activities in and around Atlanta to get MSU support in Athens.
Posted on 5/12/25 at 2:31 pm to Trough Urinal
quote:
Was one or both pissed at admin at the new school or something?
Garrido left for Illinois when his AD at Fullerton went to Illinois and paid him an outrageous salary at the time. Fullerton wasn't giving him the financial support he wanted for the program at the time so he bounced.
Fullerton didn't get rid of Larry Cochell. Cochell left for the Oklahoma job. They offered him more money.
I guess Fullerton saw the writing on the wall and lured Garrido back after that. Both Oklahoma and Fullerton would win CWS titles in 1994 and 1995, so I guess it worked out for everyone
Polk actually retired in 1997 then came back to coaching at UGA in 2000 (more like Paul Mainieri). His assistant, Pat McMahon, took over when he retired. When Pat McMahon took the Florida job in 2002 (McMahan was from Florida), Polk agreed to come back. McMahon grew up in Jacksonville, played both JUCO and college ball in the state, and his first job was as a high school coach in Florida, so him taking the Florida job made sense for him personally.
This post was edited on 5/12/25 at 2:38 pm
Posted on 5/12/25 at 4:34 pm to lsufball19
quote:
Polk actually retired in 1997 then came back to coaching at UGA in 2000 (more like Paul Mainieri). His assistant, Pat McMahon, took over when he retired. When Pat McMahon took the Florida job in 2002 (McMahan was from Florida), Polk agreed to come back. McMahon grew up in Jacksonville, played both JUCO and college ball in the state, and his first job was as a high school coach in Florida, so him taking the Florida job made sense for him personally.
This^
Polk didn’t get pissed at State until after his second stint when we hired John Cohen instead of his pick which was Tommy Raffo.
He pretty famously threatened to take his name off the stadium, and take the university out of his will but fortunately he cooled off. He still does state baseball radio calls today.
Posted on 5/12/25 at 7:29 pm to MNW
Yep, Coach Polk wanted Raffo to be given the reins. And he said so in his press conference when he retired for the last time in 2008.
But when Greg Byrne hired Cohen, he went ballistic and basically disowned State for 12 years until 2020 when he returned to campus and the fence was mended.
Hard to fault Coach Polk for feeling disrespected especially after he made his choice to replace himself so strongly. I am glad that he is back at home now.
But when Greg Byrne hired Cohen, he went ballistic and basically disowned State for 12 years until 2020 when he returned to campus and the fence was mended.
Hard to fault Coach Polk for feeling disrespected especially after he made his choice to replace himself so strongly. I am glad that he is back at home now.
Posted on 5/12/25 at 7:37 pm to MNW
I was able to play for Cohen and it was because Raffo recommended me. It was crazy to watch that drama unfold.
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