Let me first say that I think Lopez and McMahon are both great coaches. Both have their strengths, and both have their weaknesses. But both are quality. Lopez brought this program to another level his first few seasons. Lopez brought in 25 or so new kids that made up most of the roster on the 1996 CWS team. Superstars like Wilkerson, Fogg, the Eckstein brothers, Ellis, Chuck Hazzard (Let’s Go Chuck, Let’s Go Chuck!... ok so Chuck wasn’t a superstar but he was in college for nine years). This group with a few additions also made up the 1998 CWS team. Without looking, I know Brad was from Kentucky but I am not sure where the others are from. After this group of players left, and Lopez had to rebuild, I think that is where the problems started for Lopez. Lopez is a west coast guy, and that became evident in his recruiting. We started to see more CA kids on the roster, and while those CA kids made up the heart of the lineup in 2002 (the year Jim Burt Jr broke our hearts)… for every one that we had, it seemed like two or three left the team after a short stay because of various reasons. We also started to see the number of FL kids decline over the years and the impression that I got was that relationships with high school coaches here in the state were deteriorating. Lopez also was putting stock into kids that were going to go pro (which is fine) but doing so without a back up plan. Not sure how many on here have met Lopez and heard him speak, but he is a great guy and a pretty funny speaker. But not every great coach is a great fit everywhere. Which brings me to McMahon…. Actually, I won’t start on McMahon yet. Miami just joined the ACC this year, before then they were not in a conference. They could play every game at home if they wanted to, other than UF and FSU. The fact is, with the new setup (I don’t think that Lopez had to go through Super Regionals) and UM not in a conference, UF was always going to have to go through UM… and probably at their place. The only reason UF hosted in 2002 was that UM struggled early as their roster was loaded with freshmen and sophomores (a couple are still on the roster this year). Their pitching staff that year was loaded. Anyway, I think you can compare UF to FSU in baseball, but to try and compare UF’s record and regional hosting history with UM is crazy. If Foley wants to copy FSU’s baseball program, I have no problem with that. While they haven’t won it all yet, I’ll take going to Omaha once every couple of yearsAs for McMahon, I’m not sure how many people go to the games (I’ve only been to one this year because I live so far away), but the family atmosphere is back in Gator Baseball. I grew up going to games when Arnold was around. There were always a bunch of kids at the game, the players interacted with the kids, etc. I was a senior in HS when Lopez took over, but from looking around and being at the games, the relaxed family atmosphere didn’t seem to be there. Above all else, the team didn’t seem to be a family. I think McMahon has brought it all back. He is also recruiting more in state, thanks to his history here in FL. Camp attendance is higher and relationships with HS coaches have been redeveloped. As far as coaching, I think we miss Coach Henderson and Coach Kling. I’m not too familiar with McMahon’s assistants, but Lopez’s were very good. You also have to remember that we play in the SEC. Baseball season is long, and a team can slump for a time. Hopefully yesterday’s win, combined with out of conference games with USF can get the ball rolling again for this weekend’s huge series. We’ve lost less than 10 games in the SEC just once since Lopez took over. It’s the best conference in baseball, and even Kentucky (we once scored 60+ runs vs. them in one series) isn’t even a total pushover this year. There isn’t a single team with a losing record, and it is a conference with tremendous parity (even more so in the west). It’s also a dynamic conference; its personality seems to change from year to year. I’ve rambled long enough. The point is that while both Lopez and McMahon are both great coaches… I think McMahon is a better fit for UF. Lopez is doing great at Arizona, and I am happy for him. But we have a good coach as well. I have followed this program for a long time, and been to each of the regionals that UF has hosted. The one in 1996 was fun and if you were there in 1998, the game vs Illinois was incredible. Every game in the Super Regional in 2002 was a good one. When we get news that we will host, try to make it up or down or over to Gainesville. Go Gators, Tony