[Mick]

Mr. Muir,

I understand that Coach Rittman is gone for cause, and that sixteen NCAA appearances in 18 years wasn’t enough to save his job.  Please, please, PLEASE tell me, I beg you, that Buddy Teevens Rachel Hanson is not coaching softball again in 2018.  Please tell me that the bar of excellence has not fallen so low that a 4-68 conference record is sufficient to return a massively overmatched “coach.”

I’ve been longing for the day that Stanford meant excellence in all things, without the disclaimer “except Softball.”  Has that day arrived?

Mick

[Mick]

Mr. Muir,

I understand that Coach Rittman is gone for cause, and that sixteen NCAA appearances in 18 years wasn’t enough to save his job.  Please, please, PLEASE tell me, I beg you, that Buddy Teevens Rachel Hanson is not coaching softball again in 2018.  Please tell me that the bar of excellence has not fallen so low that a 4-68 conference record is sufficient to return a massively overmatched “coach.”

I’ve been longing for the day that Stanford meant excellence in all things, without the disclaimer “except Softball.”  Has that day arrived?

Mick

[Goose]

If this situation existed at some public institution mired in debt, I would be tempted to say that they are trying to fail so that they can dump the program. Another season of futility will probably completely kill recruiting, so the AD can say "See, we aren't competitive, so we can give up". Hard to imagine that is the plan at Stanford. Or is it? I can see no other rational reason to not change coaches. Even a Nobody No Name at least hasn't demonstrated they can't win in the PAC-12. Our current coach has. Heck, I would ask 9 to coach them for a year until we can find somebody else. Couldn't be worse.

[Goose]

If this situation existed at some public institution mired in debt, I would be tempted to say that they are trying to fail so that they can dump the program. Another season of futility will probably completely kill recruiting, so the AD can say "See, we aren't competitive, so we can give up". Hard to imagine that is the plan at Stanford. Or is it? I can see no other rational reason to not change coaches. Even a Nobody No Name at least hasn't demonstrated they can't win in the PAC-12. Our current coach has. Heck, I would ask 9 to coach them for a year until we can find somebody else. Couldn't be worse.

[Cred]

If you thought the performance on offense was bad this year, just wait until next year, when the lineup no longer has Kylie, Lauren and Bessie, who provided just about all of the power in our power-light lineup. The only power bat in our lineup next year, without significant player development, will be Whitney Burks. We are going to have a small-ball, OBP and steals oriented lineup, playing under a coach that doesn't believe in small-ball, bunting and stealing.

In addition to losing the long ball threat posed by Kylie, Lauren and Bessie, the frequency with which this trio of now departed players created scoring threats simply by reaching base, too, will be missed. Collectively, these three players amassed 46% of the team's walks in conference play (47% overall).

I was curious just how predictably lousy was last season's success rate for converting those free passes into runs, given that this team has a coach at the helm who, as you pointed out, D, doesn't believe in small-ball, bunting and stealing. Turns out it was a puny 20% in conference play (24.4% overall).

Just another reason to expect less offensively in 2018 than the meager offensive output of 2017.
 

[Cred]

If you thought the performance on offense was bad this year, just wait until next year, when the lineup no longer has Kylie, Lauren and Bessie, who provided just about all of the power in our power-light lineup. The only power bat in our lineup next year, without significant player development, will be Whitney Burks. We are going to have a small-ball, OBP and steals oriented lineup, playing under a coach that doesn't believe in small-ball, bunting and stealing.

In addition to losing the long ball threat posed by Kylie, Lauren and Bessie, the frequency with which this trio of now departed players created scoring threats simply by reaching base, too, will be missed. Collectively, these three players amassed 46% of the team's walks in conference play (47% overall).

I was curious just how predictably lousy was last season's success rate for converting those free passes into runs, given that this team has a coach at the helm who, as you pointed out, D, doesn't believe in small-ball, bunting and stealing. Turns out it was a puny 20% in conference play (24.4% overall).

Just another reason to expect less offensively in 2018 than the meager offensive output of 2017.
 

[winflop]

Dear Mr. Muir,

I am writing to ask why there is not new leadership in the softball program.

I know that Coach Hanson came to Stanford with a real mess on her hands. I certainly don’t envy her one bit. But that was three years ago, and there hasn’t been any material change in results since her first year. Normally I would state that Stanford should not tolerate mediocrity in anything, but the softball program isn’t even mediocre. It’s not competitive. Four conference wins in three years is not good enough by any standard.

I wish Coach Hanson well in her future endeavors, but Stanford Softball desperately needs new leadership.

[winflop]

Dear Mr. Muir,

I am writing to ask why there is not new leadership in the softball program.

I know that Coach Hanson came to Stanford with a real mess on her hands. I certainly don’t envy her one bit. But that was three years ago, and there hasn’t been any material change in results since her first year. Normally I would state that Stanford should not tolerate mediocrity in anything, but the softball program isn’t even mediocre. It’s not competitive. Four conference wins in three years is not good enough by any standard.

I wish Coach Hanson well in her future endeavors, but Stanford Softball desperately needs new leadership.

[2006alum]

Dear Mr. Muir,

I am writing to ask why there is not new leadership in the softball program.

I know that Coach Hanson came to Stanford with a real mess on her hands. I certainly don’t envy her one bit. But that was three years ago, and there hasn’t been any material change in results since her first year. Normally I would state that Stanford should not tolerate mediocrity in anything, but the softball program isn’t even mediocre. It’s not competitive. Four conference wins in three years is not good enough by any standard.

I wish Coach Hanson well in her future endeavors, but Stanford Softball desperately needs new leadership.

+1. Can I co-sign this? What do we need to do, start a petition?!

[2006alum]

Dear Mr. Muir,

I am writing to ask why there is not new leadership in the softball program.

I know that Coach Hanson came to Stanford with a real mess on her hands. I certainly don’t envy her one bit. But that was three years ago, and there hasn’t been any material change in results since her first year. Normally I would state that Stanford should not tolerate mediocrity in anything, but the softball program isn’t even mediocre. It’s not competitive. Four conference wins in three years is not good enough by any standard.

I wish Coach Hanson well in her future endeavors, but Stanford Softball desperately needs new leadership.

+1. Can I co-sign this? What do we need to do, start a petition?!

[winflop]

No but you can put your own name at the bottom and email to athleticdirector@stanford.edu

[winflop]

No but you can put your own name at the bottom and email to athleticdirector@stanford.edu

[BobK]

I believe fans are most affected not alums or students.  I go to games.  Certainly not a regular these last 3 crappy years.  However I'll bet few alums go and I know few students

So all those of us are affected by the poor coaching

[BobK]

I believe fans are most affected not alums or students.  I go to games.  Certainly not a regular these last 3 crappy years.  However I'll bet few alums go and I know few students

So all those of us are affected by the poor coaching

[fullmetal]

Surely the softball alumni are worried.  But let's be honest--the AD only listens to the big money donors/boosters.  When they say it's time for a change, then the AD will listen.

[fullmetal]

Surely the softball alumni are worried.  But let's be honest--the AD only listens to the big money donors/boosters.  When they say it's time for a change, then the AD will listen.

[jacketree]

I believe the athletes, current and prospective, are the most affected. Softball doesn't attract many fans, and I don't know about donors.  That's the way of the world, even at Stanford. If she was coaching football, she'd be gone.

[jacketree]

I believe the athletes, current and prospective, are the most affected. Softball doesn't attract many fans, and I don't know about donors.  That's the way of the world, even at Stanford. If she was coaching football, she'd be gone.

[pefloresjr]

Last night I tried to add my small contribution of heat under Muir by writing from my vacation in Inverness, Scotland.  I emphasized that when I finally got back to internet coverage I was shocked and disappointed to discover that he had taken no action on firing Coach Hansen.  I also told him that the performance of the team and the experience of the athletes was his responsibility and any ongoing failure is his.  I am pissed about his inaction and he knows it.  I am a small but consistent Buck Club contributor.  I think the impact we can have on Muir is more than we might expect.  At least I no longer feel like I am suffering in silence. 

Cheers,
Pete F.

[pefloresjr]

Last night I tried to add my small contribution of heat under Muir by writing from my vacation in Inverness, Scotland.  I emphasized that when I finally got back to internet coverage I was shocked and disappointed to discover that he had taken no action on firing Coach Hansen.  I also told him that the performance of the team and the experience of the athletes was his responsibility and any ongoing failure is his.  I am pissed about his inaction and he knows it.  I am a small but consistent Buck Club contributor.  I think the impact we can have on Muir is more than we might expect.  At least I no longer feel like I am suffering in silence. 

Cheers,
Pete F.

[BobK]

Certainly the players are most affected.  However the fans are far more affected that 99% of alumni and students who have never seen a game.

I can't believe we Havent had a change but I do t believe it's for lack of emails to Bernard and Earl.   

[BobK]

Certainly the players are most affected.  However the fans are far more affected that 99% of alumni and students who have never seen a game.

I can't believe we Havent had a change but I do t believe it's for lack of emails to Bernard and Earl.   

[Goose]

The fact that Hanson is still here says to me that Muir believes (or possibly knows, because he has tried and failed) he can't get anyone better. There is no possibility that anyone would say the current coach was not given a fair chance to demonstrate at least adequacy. For whatever reason, she and her staff have not done so. The easiest course of action would be to replace the coach. Since it appears that won't happen, it must be that they can't get anyone credible to take the job.

[Goose]

The fact that Hanson is still here says to me that Muir believes (or possibly knows, because he has tried and failed) he can't get anyone better. There is no possibility that anyone would say the current coach was not given a fair chance to demonstrate at least adequacy. For whatever reason, she and her staff have not done so. The easiest course of action would be to replace the coach. Since it appears that won't happen, it must be that they can't get anyone credible to take the job.

[Papa John]

Is there a sliver of a possibility that Muir is waiting for the WCWS to end next week before he makes a move to replace Hanson?

[Papa John]

Is there a sliver of a possibility that Muir is waiting for the WCWS to end next week before he makes a move to replace Hanson?

[fullmetal]

I believe so, yes.  There is yet hope.

[fullmetal]

I believe so, yes.  There is yet hope.

[BobK]

Like hey Hanson you're good but maybe we Can do better.  If not happy to have you back.

Not a chance

[BobK]

Like hey Hanson you're good but maybe we Can do better.  If not happy to have you back.

Not a chance

[Papa John]

Kind of like that, BobK. I'm just wondering why Muir hasn't come out and said that Rachel Hanson will be Stanford's softball coach next year, if that is what he intends. As far as I can tell, there's been utter and complete silence on the topic from him.

So maybe he's having third-party contacts with potential candidates and there's mutual interest with one or more, but not until the WCWS is over? Or maybe not.

[Papa John]

Kind of like that, BobK. I'm just wondering why Muir hasn't come out and said that Rachel Hanson will be Stanford's softball coach next year, if that is what he intends. As far as I can tell, there's been utter and complete silence on the topic from him.

So maybe he's having third-party contacts with potential candidates and there's mutual interest with one or more, but not until the WCWS is over? Or maybe not.

[JJJ]

I just sent an email message to Earl.
Will update here if I get any response.
*I couldn't find his "official" address easily so I looked up his personal(?) one in the alumni database. For all I know, my message will go straight to his spam folder.

[JJJ]

I just sent an email message to Earl.
Will update here if I get any response.
*I couldn't find his "official" address easily so I looked up his personal(?) one in the alumni database. For all I know, my message will go straight to his spam folder.

[d4cohn]

http://ncaamarket.ncaa.org/jobs/9110251/...ball-coach

Job posting for Assistant Coach job previously held by Megan Langenfeld.

[d4cohn]

http://ncaamarket.ncaa.org/jobs/9110251/...ball-coach

Job posting for Assistant Coach job previously held by Megan Langenfeld.

[BobK]

Thanks D

For email addresses they are all on go Stanford

[BobK]

Thanks D

For email addresses they are all on go Stanford

[OutsiderFan]

Far be it from me to claim I know anything about Women's Softball, but I do know Stanford Softball has probably the most visible alum of any program in the country in ESPN MLB/softball analyst Jessica Mendoza.  Has she made her feelings felt on this topic or is she in any way using her platform to campaign for Stanford Softball improvement?

[OutsiderFan]

Far be it from me to claim I know anything about Women's Softball, but I do know Stanford Softball has probably the most visible alum of any program in the country in ESPN MLB/softball analyst Jessica Mendoza.  Has she made her feelings felt on this topic or is she in any way using her platform to campaign for Stanford Softball improvement?