Players Embrace Wes Johnson On First Day At Work
November 03, 2015 | Baseball
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Wes Johnson woke up at 3:15 a.m. Monday morning, and by 5:45 a.m. was on his way to Starkville. Johnson arrived in Starkville via Atlanta around 11 a.m. for his first day on the job as MSU's new pitching coach.
After spending some time reviewing video of his new pitching staff as well his catchers, the Sherwood, Arkansas, native met with the coaching staff before his first individual session with left-hander Trent Waddell at 1 p.m.
PHOTO GALLERY: Wes Johnson's First Day As MSU Pitching Coach
Following his training session with Waddell, Johnson was whisked away in a golf cart to take his head shot, before being brought back to the Hall of Champions for interviews with HailState.com's own Bob Carskadon and Scout.com's Gene Swindoll.
At 3 p.m., Johnson was strapped with a microphone for HailStateVideo and attacked the remainder of his bullpen sessions for the day. Below are quotes from selected MSU pitchers featuring their first impression of Coach Johnson.
RSr. Trent Waddell:
"One of the brightest coaches I have ever been around. I was with him for just 30 minutes and it felt like I sat under the learning tree for 30 hours. He has a different mind when it comes to pitching and can really break it down. He can explain the mechanical side of pitching in an incredible way. I am pumped to be working with him."
Jr. RHP Zac Houston:
“He brings a lot of intensity. I really like what he has done with this program. It is a lot different than anything we have done before. He seems to be all about velocity, and that will be really good for this staff. I feel like if we have a staff that can really throw the ball well, and really throw the ball hard, it will completely turn things around for us this year.”
Jr. RHP Austin Sexton:
“I love his attitude. He has us working on being short and explosive. That is what pitching really is. It is great to take tools out of the tool belt and apply them. I am ready to learn anything I possibly can from him and apply it.”
Jr. RHP Dakota Hudson:
“He is all about velocity and command. I feel like he is going to be able to help us a lot from start to finish.”
Jr. LHP Daniel Brown:
“On the first day we really worked on explosiveness and the torque of our body. It was fun to get to work on using our entire body. It is going to be a lot of fun working with him on that.”
Jr. RHP Blake Smith:
“This guy knows what he is doing. He's very knowledgeable about how the body works and he likes to work hard.”
Jr. RHP Logan Elliot:
“He knows what he's talking about. Coach Johnson is changing the game and is making the very best out of every one of us.”
RFr. RHP Cole Gordon:
“Coach Johnson is great. He has been super intense and it is evident he knows what he's doing. He's done a lot of homework on us already and it's obvious he has what it takes to make us successful.”
Fr. LHP Kale Breaux:
“He is an awesome guy who is really intense. In my first bullpen he was really intense and definitely not laid back at all. I really love and appreciate that about him. I cannot wait to start working with him.”
Fr. RHP Ryan Cyr:
“Coach Johnson is a very up-beat guy. He is about maximizing your ability even when you may not have it on a certain day. He is all about the mental side. I feel like he is really going to help us a lot this year and beyond.”
Fr. RHP Keegan James:
“I feel like he is the perfect guy to come in here. He knows his stuff and he places a great importance on velocity, which all of us are really high on. We feel like he is going to bring a ton of energy to the program. Right now he is telling us to go and get it even if you don't have your best stuff and let the batter know you meant to throw it there.”
Fr. LHP Trysten Barlow:
“I think he is a great coach. He has said we are going to work hard, top our velocity out, and become a better pitcher. He wants us to throw as hard as you can all the time.”
Fr. LHP Konnor Pilkington:
“I think he is a very energetic coach who knows what he's talking about. I think he is going to be great for our program. He has been working with me on not striding so far and keeping my ball lower in the strike zone.”
Fr. LHP Jared Padgett:
“From meeting the guy he is nothing but high energy. He looks like he knows a lot and I am excited to work with him. I am really looking forward to working with him.”
