Coach Ty Harrington [2] boasts a 448-321 all-time record, including a 244-135 record during Southland Conference play, after his 13th season at Texas State. He has coached 65 all-conference selections and propelled 33 players into the Major League Baseball draft, including five more this year. He is the winningest coach in Texas State baseball history and looks to continue his winning ways moving into the off-season.
JC: So this season had many ups and downs, droughts and streaks, encouraging wins and disappointing losses. Which win would you say was the most impressive to you this season and why?
TH: I think probably the two games against Oregon after we had just come off of being swept by Sam Houston. I thought it showed a lot of character on our behalf to come back like that against a team that is now playing in the super regionals and bidding for the College World Series.
JC: Which loss was most disappointing and why?
TH: The last one, because it ended the season and ended the opportunity for a team to move forward.
JC: Next season is going to be somewhat of a rebirth, as the team is losing many of the leaders that helped build the program and make it what it is today. How do you go about replacing those pieces?
TH: The young guys that were on the team this year got a lot of experience and will step into those leadership roles. We do have some guys returning that are older and very capable too—the Andrew Stumphs and the Morgan Mickans. There is a group of guys that are all very capable and they just need to step up and realize
that it’s their time.
JC: Who would you say has to have a phenomenal season and step up most for the team in order to ensure the team’s continued success?
TH: I think it’s more a group of them than a specific individual. I think we need to have a group of guys step in and do some great things.
JC: You’ve alluded to the strong recruiting prowess of Coach (Derek) Matlock. What kind of players are you, Coach Matlock and the rest of your recruitment team looking to bring in to the program?
TH: We’re certainly looking for guys like we have brought in the last couple of years. Guys that are student athletes and good people and also have the room to be developed. If you look again, two years in a row we have had five guys in each of the last two seasons drafted out of this program. I think it is important to recognize that we are trying to develop our players. Too many guys that are inspired are guys that have talent but are unwilling to be developed.
JC: Do you think the move to a different conference is going to impact the team at all, whether it is for the good or the bad?
TH: I think if anything it will be a positive. We’re going to get the opportunity to play the west coast one year and the east coast the year after that. I think it will be exciting to play in both conferences.
JC: What do you think about all of the conference realignments?
TH: That’s what administrators do. I coach baseball and try to win games for the university and give my team the best chance possible. And that’s what I do.
Follow Jordan Cole on Twitter: @TXStatesMan [3]