“It will be a coast to coast search.”
So, says Tulane director of athletics Troy Dannen, who will make his fourth big coaching hire since he arrived on campus in early December. Dannen has hired head coaches in football, men’s basketball, and volleyball.
“I am tired of searching,” said Dannen by phone Wednesday.
“But, it is probably the greatest professional opportunity I have ever had. We get to hire a group of people who share the same vision.”
Dannen said he spoke three times a day with baseball coach David Pierce, who accepted the same job at the University of Texas Wednesday.
While not getting into the specifics of Pierce’s buyout, he said that Pierce will pay. “Everything he is obligated to pay, he’s paying.”
A source familiar with the buyout said that is $1 million.
Pierce signed a new five-year extension in December. When he did, his buyout increased again to $1 million. It would decrease $250,000 each year over four years.
In the fifth year of the contract, there would be no buyout. It is unclear if Texas will pay any of Pierce’s buyout.
In the meantime, Dannen said just like the search for a head coach in football and men’s basketball, he will cast “a wide net.”
Asked specifically if he will interview a pair of Tulane alums, current LSU hitting coach and recruiting coordinator Andy Cannizaro and current Southeastern Louisiana head coach Matt Riser, Dannen refused to get into specifics.
But, he did compliment both Cannizaro and Riser.
“Alums who are knocking it dead, who are having great success elsewhere, you would understand why their names would be tied to this job,” said Dannen.
Without getting into specifics, Dannen said Division I experience is a “pre-requisite.”
Dannen said the opening at Tulane is “a very attractive job.”
And, he said financial aid for baseball student/athletes will not deter Tulane from hiring the best possible candidate. There are advantages and disadvantages to being a private school,” said Dannen.
“That would not be a reason we won’t have success,” said Dannen.
“We are making good progress with institutional policies.”
Dannen said the search for a new baseball coach is already underway.
He said it because of the July 4th holiday, it may be late next week before he can “get in front of” all of the candidates he wants to interview.
Tulane’s next baseball coach will be only its third since 1994.
In two seasons, Pierce led Tulane to back to back NCAA regionals.
He followed Rick Jones, who led the Green Wave to a pair of trips to the College World Series in 2001 and 2005.
The 2005 team was ranked number one nationally.
Jones was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame last week.
