Ron Polk Press Conference Transcription
"It's good to welcome Ron Polk home. This has probably been the most unusual search for an intercollegiate coach in America. When I first talked to Ron, the first thing he said is 'What are we going to do?' Ron Polk is very special and unique. I know no other coach that I've been associated with that believes in his players the way Ron does.
"I think the most refreshing thing of this entire process was hearing from those young men who wore the maroon and white for Mississippi State in baseball. Almost every one of them who called told me 'It's time for our coach to come home,' and they never mentioned Ron Polk's name."
Mississippi State head baseball coach Ron Polk
"All I can say is I'm back. After the 1997 College World Series, I retired from college baseball for the right reasons. When the University of Georgia asked me to help get their program back in order both on the field and off, I had a lot of work to do. I worked as hard as I ever have in two years to try and help get their program rebuilt. I still had a lot of work to do, but this is a great opportunity for me to come back.
"I'm back as the new head coach. I want to thank Dr. (Malcolm) Portera and Larry Templeton for the manner in which this process was conducted. The last five or six days haven't been easy knowing my life had changed when Pat (McMahon) decided to take the job at Florida. I had an idea of who Larry (Templeton) might be calling, and I'm glad he did. I want to thank everyone at Georgia for accepting my decision. I don't like to disappoint people. I was asked by (Georgia athletic director) Vince Dooley to come in and help get their program going in the right direction, and I think I'm leaving it in better shape than it was.
"I'm going to bring over with me one member of our Georgia coaching staff, Daron Schoenrock, our pitching coach. Georgia had nine bad years in a row when I decided to take the job. We had a great two years, and Daron was one of the reasons for that. He's not only a great coach, but he's a good person, outstanding recruiter, and the kids relate well to him. It's important to associate yourself with good people. The other important move we made was making sure Tommy Raffo stayed. Tommy played with me and coached with me. This is his home, and he gives us that continuity we need.
"I'm not leaving Georgia cold. I want to make sure everything's taken care of there. I've put two long years in there. "I never dreamed five, six or seven days ago that this would happen. We have a lot of work to do. Georgia is a great place, and I'll miss it very much. In the two years I've been there I've accumulated many friends, but Starkville is home and I've missed it. There will be six tough games next season: three versus Florida and three versus Georgia.
"There are four players returning here that I was involved in recruiting. I'm excited, and I've got the motors running. We have a lot of work to do, and I'm excited.