Matt White’s departure as McComb’s head baseball coach to become the Brookhaven head coach leaves a huge hole in the Tigers’ program.
McComb overcame some serious struggles in recent years to make the playoffs this season. The Tigers did not win a single game in 2014-15 and the season was lost before it even started. The person who was named head coach prior to the season lost his position after lying on his resume. McComb had many other baseball issues the past few years, but it appeared the problems in 2014-15 were a rallying point to make things better.
White came in and turned the program around in his one season as head coach, but when it came right down to it, he chose to take a position five minutes from his home in Brookhaven. We cannot change what has happened and we must find a coach who can build on White’s accomplishments this past season.
McComb Superintendent Dr. Cederick Ellis and athletic director Malcolm Jones appear committed to making sure the baseball program reaches its potential. The next head coach needs support from the administration. Ellis and Jones should give the coach everything necessary to make the baseball program successful.
If the Tigers are going to build on their success, the revolving door of head coaches must stop. Ellis and Jones have to do everything in their power to keep the next head coach on a long-term basis. That means the lines of communication must be open on all sides.
The baseball program must be properly funded and have all of the equipment it needs to move forward. Jones is doing a good job making sure the school district and athletic department are accumulating all possible funds. Hopefully, that will benefit the baseball program.
White mentioned Jones was interested in building a turf field in the future. I fully support that idea and think it would be great for the baseball program. There needs to be turf in the batting cages so the players are not hitting off cement. The baseball team needs the necessary bats and balls to prepare for games.
McComb has lost athletes to other schools in the past, partially because the baseball program has not lived up to its potential. Things are starting to turn around and I want to see the baseball team go as far as it possibly can. White’s resignation does not mean we have to go back to the way things were.
McComb baseball can be successful if a new good coach is hired quickly.
Ellis did not have a specific timetable, but he did say he is committed to finding a new head coach with a resume similar to White’s as soon as possible.
That can and must happen for the sake of the kids who play baseball at McComb.
