5 college baseball coaches on hot seat ahead of College World Series 2024
For eight lucky college baseball teams, the next two days represent the culmination of their seasons in the College World Series. Unfortunately, that means every other coach is somewhere between cranky and downright upset.
Everybody can't go to Omaha, but the seat is starting to get a little warm on some coaches. Here are five who are on the hot seat this offseason.
Five college baseball coaches on hot seat ahead of College World Series 2024
#5 John Savage, UCLA
Savage took UCLA to a 2013 College World Series title. In some eras and at some schools, that would be a lifetime contract, but over a decade later, the natives are a bit restless at UCLA.
UCLA was 19-33 this season, marking the second straight season where the Bruins missed the NCAA Tournament. They haven't been back to Omaha since 2013 and have only been to the super regionals once since then.
Savage is a well-respected veteran coach, but things are not moving in a good direction for the Bruins.
#4 Tim Tadlock, Texas Tech
Like Savage, Tadlock is a well-respected college baseball coach who has done big things in his position. Tadlock is an alum who has taken Tech to the College World Series four times, but his seat is warming following some underwhelming seasons.
Since 2019, Tadlock and the Red Raiders are on a slide. First, it was a season ending in the super regionals in 2021, then in the regionals in 2022 and 2023, and, in 2024, Tech missed the NCAA Tournament. They've also slid from third in their league to sixth in 2023 to 10th in 2024.
With the Big 12 undergoing a massive shift, it seems like it's time for Tadlock and Tech to regain some momentum or for a possible change. Given Tadlock's performance, he probably deserves some patience, but the seat is warming.
#3 Dan McDonnell, Louisville
McDonnell has been at Louisville since 2007 and like Tadlock at Tech, he built the program to new heights. He has taken Louisville to five College World Series spots. So what's the problem? A bit of a case of "What have you done for me lately"?
Louisville hasn't been back to Omaha since 2019, which isn't shocking. But in three of the last four years, the Cardinals have missed the NCAA Tournament altogether.
Add in the rise of in-state rival Kentucky in the SEC and the ACC's strengthening programs, and there's real desperation around Louisville.
#2 Butch Thompson, Auburn
Thompson has taken Auburn to the College World Series twice. But the SEC West is like a college baseball version of a nuclear arms race and nobody wants to be left behind. Auburn's 8-21 mark in the SEC in 2024 caused them to miss the conference tournament in Hoover and then the NCAA Tournament.
Thompson has never gotten Auburn above the middle of the pack in the SEC West. His 104-134 conference record can't make Auburn boosters any more comfortable about the long-range trajectory of his program.
#1 David Pierce, Texas
Pierce has taken Texas to three College World Series appearances. But memories are short in Austin and a 36-24 season ending with a regional NCAA loss isn't up to expectations for Texas. The Longhorns have had three straight 20-loss seasons and are gearing up for the chaos of the SEC.
Pierce is certainly well qualified, and it was just two short seasons ago that he had the Horns in Omaha. But college baseball is an impatient sport, and rumors of his potential replacement are running loud.
Which outstanding college baseball coaches do you think will be gone ahead of the 2025 season? Weigh in below with your comments: