MSU homers with Cohen but Polk strikes out
John Cohen found himself in the best possible place for a college baseball coach in June this side of Omaha. The Tuscaloosa native was wanted by three schools in the best college baseball league in the land.
He could’ve stayed at Kentucky, where he put baseball on the map at a basketball school.
He could’ve gone to Auburn, a football school that’s known baseball success beyond Bo Jackson.
Cohen’s third choice in a no-lose situation was to return to Mississippi State, where he played during the best run in school history at one of the SEC’s two best baseball schools.
He did the smart thing and went home to Starkville.
Can you blame him?
Ron Polk can.
The retiring Mississippi State legend didn’t really blame Cohen. He saved his personal bile for new AD Greg Byrne, but he slimed everyone in his wake in the process.
When Byrne went against Polk’s wishes and hired Cohen instead of longtime State assistant Tommy Raffo, Polk threw the worst tantrum in SEC history.
He told the AP he wanted Mississippi State to take his name off the stadium.
al.com
6/8/08
Magnolia Tribune
