Former Demon coaches making moves

Jim Wells and Eileen Schmidt made moves that made news last week.

The former NSU coaches left their current jobs, catching most by surprise, but making decisions that were perfectly understandable.

Thursday, Wells made what was to many a surprising call to retire after 13 seasons as the baseball coach at Alabama. Schmidt, after three years as softball coach at Kentucky, moved east to her alma mater, taking over as head coach at Virginia last Wednesday.

Wells' decision rocked the Crimson Tide nation and was one of the top topics in Omaha at the College World Series. Schmidt's move hadn't even been acknowleged as of Monday morning on the Kentucky web site or in the Lexington media, as far as I can tell, which is one excellent reason why she made a smart shift to UVA. Softball just isn't on the radar at UK, even though their athletic administration has been quite supportive. Considering the work she had invested, this could not have been a clear-cut decision for Schmitty.

She did a quite commendable job in her three seasons at Kentucky, although her record may not show it. My friends who watch LSU softball say that for the first time, the Wildcats have a legitimate SEC-caliber team, thanks to the work Eileen and former NSU assistant Melissa Inhouye have done in Lexington. To the UK administration's credit, they understood it was a long-term building project when they hired Schmidt away from NSU after the 2004 season.

Nonetheless, in the win-now or be-gone culture of "big time" collegiate athletics, Schmidt's shelf life at Kentucky was running short heading into her fourth season. It was probably going to be a pivotal year for her. At Virginia, she takes over an established program run by a friend and mentor of hers, Karen Johns, who retired. UVA is in a conference that top to bottom isn't nearly as tough as the SEC in softball, and for Eileen, it's her alma mater and she has identity there that she never would have anyplace else. She was happy at Kentucky but as she admitted, UVA is her dream job. Good for her - she's going to be happier and successful with the Cavaliers. If Inhouye isn't promoted at UK, look for her in Charlottesville as Eileen's assistant, continuing a tandem formed here at NSU.

BTW, Thomas Jefferson designed the core of the UVA campus. Charles Schultz, the cartoonist who gave the world Charlie Brown and the cast of Peanuts, lived on a mountain overlooking Charlottesville.

Coach Wells' decision to retire stunned many. He's still a young man, in his early 50s. Most people are convinced he will be back in coaching soon. He does love it, but it wouldn't surprise me if he goes into a business venture and never again sits in a college or pro dugout except as a special guest.

I believe he's about to be an all-world daddy to his three kids and he and Lisa will enjoy them growing up over the next few years. He deserves that chance, for sure. Wouldn't you do it if you could? Well done, on many fronts, Jim!

-- Doug Ireland, SID