COACH LEGGETT

Jun 5, 2015, 10:17 AM

YEP, I CAN TELL ALL HIS PLAYERS REALLY HATED HIM AND COULD NOT WAIT TO GET OUT. SOME OF YOU NEED A REAL REALITY CHECK.

Radakovich’s decision angers current, former, future Tigers
BASEBALL | 04. JUN, 2015 BY ROBERT MACRAE | 0 COMMENTS

Radakovich’s decision angers current, former, future Tigers
Clemson athletic director Dan Radakovich sent shock waves around college baseball nation, especially at Clemson when he decided Thursday to fire Hall of Fame coach Jack Leggett. Players rushed to social media to give their reaction to the decision.

The Clemson Insider.com also reached out to current, former and future players for their reactions as well.

TCI caught up with ACC Pitcher of the Year Matthew Crownover to get his thoughts on Leggett’s departure.

“I know he is the AD and has to make his decision, but I don’t see how you can fire Coach Leggett after all the success he has had here. I know we weren’t as successful as we wanted while I was here, but that had nothing to do with Coach Leggett.”

Crownover went on to say, “No baseball mind in the country would have fired Coach Leggett. He is a great man”.

TCI also caught up with former Clemson great Kyle Parker.

“It is tough for me to understand. I feel like the University and fan base as well as a lot of players owe Jack so much more for the time he had invested and what he built and established there. He deserves a lot of credit for where the program is right now,” Parker told TCI. “Coach Leggett was a pivotal person in my career. He had a big influence on me. I was young and didn’t know a lot when I arrived. He brought me in and helped me mature and turned me into a pretty good player.

“For him to be fired is hard for me to understand. I can understand the unhappiness. The team had high expectations. With that said I feel like Jack was owed something from us and some kind of respect.”

Parker arrived on campus early and played his first season at Clemson in what should have been his final semester of high school.

“Coach Leggett was a pivotal person in my career. He had a big influence on me. I was young and didn’t know a lot when I arrived. He brought me in and helped me mature and turned me into a pretty good player,” said Parker.

Parker’s dad, Carl, sent this message to Leggett which he shared with TCI: “Coach. Just read the news and wanted you to know how much I appreciated you! As a parent I couldn’t have asked for a better man or coach for my son to play for. As a coach, I don’t know that I have ever been around a coach that understands the process of building a successful program more than you.”

TCI also caught up with Clemson 2015 signee Jake Higginbotham who is expected to get drafted in the upcoming Major League Baseball draft. Higginbotham could be a weekend starter for the Tigers next season if he enrolls this summer instead of heading to play professional baseball.

“I’m disappointed for sure. Coach Leggett is a great coach, one of the best to ever do it, and more than that, a great person. I loved his energy and passion. I’m bummed that everything transpired this way. I think the world of Coach Leggett and I hope that every thing turns out okay for him,” said Higginbotham.

Will the firing of Leggett impact his decision on whether to enroll at Clemson or play professional baseball?

“No, it won’t impact my decision,” replied Higginbotham.

Social Media Reaction

The following former Clemson athletes spoke out with their support of coach Leggett on social media.

Matthew Crownover

Today Clemson let an icon go. We lost our Joe Torre. We lost the face of Clemson baseball. #7 is Clemson baseball

#7 is the reason I came to Clemson. He will always be my coach. He deserved better.

Dom Leone

Jack Leggett is Clemson Baseball. He will always be Clemson Baseball. Nobody has bled more, fought more, or dedicated more time to that. Program than he has. It’s sad that this day had to come. Of course today’s focus is all about winning. Nobody wanted to win more than 7. He Was and will continue to be a fierce competitor, yet is also an incredible teacher. A mentor for young men both on and off the field. I’ve.. Reached the highest stage of baseball and that is in part to Leggett and his staff’s guidance and teaching. I am grateful of the opportunity He gave to me as a young kid from CT trying to follow my dream and play big time baseball. Best wishes to 7 and his staff.

Matt Campbell

I sat in a room with D-Rad last year and backed the coaches not only as coaches, but the mentor role they take on for us, myself included…

and I stand by my decision. You fans calling for #7s head all year, you never played for him.You don’t know the impact he has.

I went to Clemson to play for Jack and Pep for a reason. 1 missed postseason in 22 years. That’s all I gotta say.

CJ Spiller

Just landed and one of alerts come to my phone that Clemson is not bringing coach Leggett back SMH.

Thanks coach for all you done for our university and making our program one of best in the country, your presence will def be missed

Jason Stolz

It seems impossible to picture Clemson Baseball without Coach Leggett at the forefront, sad day for

Pat Krall

Clemson baseball won’t be the same without you #7. It was a privilege to play for you and thank you for bringing me into the Clemson Family.

Weston Wilson

Thankful for the opportunity you gave me to play baseball for Clemson University. #7

Will Lamb

Words cant explain how much he did for me, but every year he turned 32 boys into men who wanted OMAHA! HOF in my book, coach! Thank you, sev

Jay Cox

Clemson lost a great man and leader today. I’m forever indebted and grateful to Coach Leggett for letting me play for the Tigers. Thanks Sev

Drew Wharton

Thanks for everything Coach Leggett. You’re the definition of first class and you impacted my life in many ways. I will miss you 7!

Daniel Gossett

#7 and Coach Pepicelli are not only two of the best coaches I’ve been around, but two of the best people. Proud I can call you my friends!

Rudy Cox

He’s in the Hall of Fame. Can’t ever take that from you Coach. Thanks for everything along the way 7. You will forever be a Clemson Tiger.

David Haselden

Hate to hear the news about Coach Leggett today… He deserved better for all he did for the program… Thank you, #7

Willy Korn

Some of my favorite moments at Clemson were getting to talk to Coach Leggett around Jervey – thanks for all the great memories coach!

Mike Freeman

It’s hard to imagine Clemson baseball without Jack Leggett at the helm. No one believed in Clemson or understood the program better than him. He knows how to develop athletes into ball players and boys into men. It won’t be the same going back to the house that Jack built without the architect running the show. I know his presence will be felt and his legacy glorified.

Andy Monin

I played for 38 & 7. Wish Clemson fans realized that legends are rare. Leggett is a legend! Its unreal.

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Lot of players they have not talked to! Time for him to go. He could have bowed out gracefully but he choose not to. Last year AD Rad told him what needed to be done. The program lost a lot of money this year...he did not deliver...losing some good players this year and recruiting does not look good for next year. Time to start a new program and get a new coach in now. I love Tiger baseball but the last four years have been so in consistent that it was painful to watch. Clemson University is bigger than any coach. Our program was very well respected and exciting to watch when Jack came on board. From the time Corbin and Sully left it started the downward spiral I wish Jack the best. But instead of stepping down gracefully and thanking Clemson for the opportunity he was given .....he gave the AD no choice. We were fine before he came and we will be fine in the years to come.

COACH LEGGETT

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a tci article? gimme a minute...

Re: a tci article? gimme a minute...

well, he didn't get caught looking at a third strike, but

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Draft

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Very true.....but

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You could substitute names and have this be the Bobby

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TigerBoard POTD