Conversations with College Coaches: Shawnee State University
Dan Mooney, our Senior Director of College Recruiting, recently caught up with Head Coach Ted Tom from Shawnee State University (SSU). SSU plays in the Mid-South Conference of the NAIA and made it to the Mid-South Tournament Championship Game in 2012. Check out what Coach Tom looks for in a recruit, how he uses video to recruit players and what recruits can expect for fall practices.
1. How long have you been coaching? How long at you current college or university?
I just completed my 8th year of coaching with the last 5 years at Shawnee State.
I just completed my 8th year of coaching with the last 5 years at Shawnee State.
2. Who are some of your mentors or coaches that you look up to?
In my 2 years at Indiana University, I had an opportunity to learn from 2 coaches which I think was a good experience. I learned attention to detail and a high level of discipline from Bob Morgan. Under Tracy Smith, I had an opportunity to learn the importance of developing your players and allowing them to be them. You recruit them because of certain skills they already possess, so you should build on those skills while allowing players to be themselves. This experience was second to none. I also learned a great deal about commitment, hard work, work ethic, and being loyal from my Dad. He definitely taught me about how to be a professional on a daily basis.
3. What is the first thing about your school and program that you’d want a recruit to know about?
We want to compete at the highest level possible which is playing in the NAIA World Series. That is our mission everyday to prepare to reach that level. Also, and more importantly, you will be given the resources at Shawnee State to be successful not only as a baseball player but in your ability to earn your degree.
4. What qualities do you look for in a prospect on the field? Off the field?
Obviously, want guys who have baseball specific skills and some athleticism. We have players that have both and others who bring something to the table. It will be on those individuals to work the process and develop those skills. I want guys in our program who will grind it out every day. College baseball is a grind and we need guys who will show up every day and give their best effort regardless of opponent, weather, etc. Off the field, I want guys who are responsible people. Responsibility, whether accepting it or being able to handle it, is what separates players from being average or great. If you can handle what is thrown at you, you will have an opportunity to reach your potential whether it be in the classroom or on the field.
5. How has video helped your recruiting?
Video has allowed us to see more prospective student athletes while not blowing up our recruiting budget tracking them down. We have a small budget so it has, in essence, expanded our resources and our ability to recruit the best student athletes for Shawnee State Baseball.
6. Do you recruit from Junior Colleges?
We recruit players from everywhere. I am not concerned where you have come from, more on what we can do together to grow as a program and for our players to grow as people while also earning their degree. We have junior college players. I think it is an important part of what we do recruiting wise in that you get players who have experience at the college level, and many times, can handle more of what is thrown at them.
7. Can you break down your fall practice schedule? What will you try to accomplish?
We will practice for approximately 8 weeks in the fall. The first 2 weeks are daily position individuals implementing the philosophies about pitching, defense, and what we want to do offensively. This phase allows us to teach what we want while also getting a feel for where each of our players are developmentally in a small group setting. After that, we begin team practices in which we intrasquad as much as possible. This is the coaching staffs time to evaluate each of our guys. This is also our players time to show us where he fits into our roster. Shawnee State is the land of opportunity. You want to be our shortstop; this phase of fall practice allows you an opportunity to show us just that! Hitters will get 50 or so at bats while our pitchers will throw approximately 20 innings. Due to our weather in the beginning of the season at times, that time is more preparing for the season and less on evaluation. The fall season is where this evaluation takes place. By the end of fall, we know where our guys fit and they know what they need to work on in the offseason to improve and, hopefully, change the depth chart. I want competition and believe that this gives us the most bang for our buck. Obviously, during these intrasquads, we will spend time if needed during a scrimmage correcting any mistakes. The days we are not in a scrimmage, we will work on those deficiencies while also inserting some of our other philosophies.
8. Do you have a strength and conditioning coach?
Our entire coaching staff assists with our strength and conditioning bringing difference lifts and techniques from their other experiences. The strength and conditioning aspect is a big part of what we do. We begin this phase, basically, as soon as our players arrive on campus in the fall. It is vital that we take the tools and abilities of our players and develop them with the assistance of the weight room including the swimming pool and our agility program. Take your tools that you came with and enhance them.
9. Anything planned for your facilities (upgrades, changes, etc.)?
We are constantly making upgrades to our facility and hope to continue that trend. We attempt to do something each and every year that will enhance our players’ experience.
10. Is there anything you would like to add about your assistant coaches, recruits, parents, or program that we have not asked you about?
I have great assistant coaches who have the same drive and passion about Shawnee State Baseball. They all come from different backgrounds with different experiences so they can relate to all of our players.
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