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College baseball fans, media react to curious timing of Texas firing coach David Pierce
By Andrew Olson
Published:
The College World Series championship finale isn’t the only big story Monday in the world of college baseball. One of the sport’s most prominent coaching positions is now open.
Monday morning, Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte announced the dismissal of David Pierce. Over 8 seasons, Pierce’s record was 297-162. The Longhorns won the Big 12 three ties and reached the College World Series three times in Pierce’s tenure.
Texas was a 36-24 squad in 2024. The Longhorns’ season came to an end on June 2 when they lost their second game in the College Station Regional.
Firing a coach for on-field reasons 3 weeks after the season’s end raises eyebrows.
Decisions on the future of the program are often made shortly after the last game, especially in the transfer portal era. The transfer portal, though, isn’t why the timing of Texas’ decision is being talked about.
Fans and media members have a lot to say about the Longhorns making a coaching change on the same day that one team will dogpile in Omaha upon winning a national championship.
Is Texas trying to upstage the big moment for future SEC foe Tennessee or in-state rival Texas A&M? Are the Longhorns sending a message that they’re about to poach the Vols’ Tony Vitello or A&M’s Jim Schlossnagle? Fans had a lot of thoughts on social media. Here’s a sample of posts from X (formerly Twitter):
Texas stealing the headlines away from A&M on the day they’re competing for their first baseball National Title shouldn’t be lost on anyone.
Make no mistake, it was a calculated move. The pettiness of that rivalry is unmatched
— SEC Unfiltered (@SECUnfiltered) June 24, 2024
This is, of course, the day Texas would fire its baseball coach.
It’s absolutely what Texas what do.
(Tennessee seems confident with Vitello’s situation, but either way he’ll probably be the richest or second-richest coach in college baseball in a few weeks.)
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) June 24, 2024
Herman was fired and 12 hours later Sark was announced. CDC has his guy. He just waiting for the CWS to end. ⚾️
— AGGRESSIVELY OPTIMISTIC TEXAS FAN (@TexasHookem22) June 24, 2024
Timing is no coincidence. https://t.co/4UjSEmBOHq
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) June 24, 2024
Did Texas fire their coach on the day A&M is playing for the natty because everyone knows their coach is Texas’ top target and they want to mess with the Aggies’ team?
— ZehDuck (@ZehDuck) June 24, 2024
OF COURSE THEY DID IT TODAY https://t.co/Ci6y2vLFzk
— Tim England (@tengland_150) June 24, 2024
One of the coaches in tonight’s game will be the highest paid coach in college baseball.
Who exactly will be their employer by end of week is the question.
— University of Tampering (@Doc_Texas) June 24, 2024
There it is. I have a feeling things are about to get very interesting in College Baseball
Are two coaches that will be coaching tonight involved? https://t.co/mHeM68M32o
— AYS Sports (@AYSSPORTS) June 24, 2024
Texas A&M is playing for a National Championship in a major sport for the first time since 1939 today. Texas decided to steal the headlines with firing Pierce. College Rivalries >
— TND (@TNDTweets) June 24, 2024
Texas fires David Pierce the day Texas A&M and Tennessee square off in Game 3 of the CWS finals.
What a coincidence!
— Jon Sokoloff (@JonSokoloff) June 24, 2024
That Texas, with six national championships in baseball, has fired its coach on the day that new and old league rival and enemy program Texas A&M gets an opportunity to win its first title ever in the sport feels very much on point.
— Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) June 24, 2024
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
