USF Baseball Job Intrigues Urso

[TyBull]

USF Baseball Job Intrigues Urso

By BART O'CONNELL Tribune correspondent

Published: Jun 6, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - Fresh off a Division II national championship, University of Tampa baseball coach Joe Urso still has a desire to coach at the highest level.

And for Urso, the highest level is Division I.

Urso didn't mince words Monday when asked about his interest in coaching at the University of South Florida, saying he would like to be considered for the job. Longtime USF coach Eddie Cardieri resigned Wednesday.

"I need to look into this to see what the job is all about, to see if there is interest in me," Urso said, "and if there is, obviously I would be interested in looking to see what the potential is of me getting an interview, or whatever it takes.

"[uSF] is an opportunity to go and compete at a Division I level, which is a higher level - as far as playing in the Big East. It's just bigger. When you look at possible moves, you look at the job, you look at security for your family and obviously anyone who has kids, that's something big that you look at."

Urso just completed his sixth season with the Spartans, easily the most successful campaign in school history. UT went 54-6, spent most of the season ranked No. 1 in the nation, won the school's fourth national title and could have five of its players selected in today's Major League Baseball draft.

The Bulls, meanwhile, struggled through a 23-35 season and were eliminated from the Big East Tournament in two games. It was Cardieri's second-worst season in 21 years as USF's coach.

Urso, who arrived home from Montgomery, Ala., on Sunday night, spent Monday afternoon and evening at Tropicana Field. The Spartans were invited to take batting practice before the Devil Rays' game against the Los Angeles Angels. As of Monday, Urso had not heard from any other programs regarding a coaching vacancy, nor had he attempted to contact any schools.

UT's past two head coaches, Lelo Prado and Terry Rupp, have taken Division I head coaching jobs. Prado, now at Louisville, won national titles in 1992 and '93 with the Spartans. The '92 squad was led by Urso, the World Series MVP. Rupp, who guided the Spartans to the 1998 championship, is now at Maryland.

Prado and Rupp also have expressed interest in the USF job. Urso said he would not be surprised to see several more coaches apply for the job.

Urso was drafted by the Angels in 1992 and became a coach and manager in their system. In 2001, his first season at UT, his team set a school record for wins (49), which the Spartans broke this year. Urso's record at UT is 265-88.

"Tampa takes very good care of me. I am so happy there," Urso said. "To sum it up, yes there's interest, because it's a step up. And finding out what interest they have in me, and looking into possibly a better opportunity for my family, I need to do that."

 

[Minotaur]

"I need to look into this to see what the job is all about, to see if there is interest in me," Urso said, "and if there is, obviously I would be interested in looking to see what the potential is of me getting an interview, or whatever it takes.

http://www.tbo.com/sports/bulls/MGB83Q4L3OE.html

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I started it. There is interest. Now pull the trigger and set us up for the next 20 years Mr Wollard.

PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!  PLEASE!!

BTW: If he doesn't get an interview somebody should get shot. Seriously. Shot in the pinky toe.

[Apis Bull]

While I'd might like a higher profile guy, it wouldn't hurt my feelings if we got Urso.

[BULLfreak]

This is the kind of guy we need young and has recuiting ties to Tampa

[TyBull]

Bulls baseball job intrigues UT coach

By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer

Published June 6, 2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TAMPA - Joe Urso, fresh from guiding Tampa to a Division II national championship, is interested in the opening for a baseball coach at USF.

"If they were interested in me, it's definitely something I'd be interested in," Urso said Monday, two days after beating Cal State Chico 3-2. "Every coach wants to be the best at the highest level, and this would be a chance do that."

Eddie Cardieri resigned Wednesday after 21 seasons.

Urso, 35, is 265-88 in six seasons at UT and has a history of titles in Tampa. He played for Plant High's state title team in 1988 and was a four-year starter at second base for UT, earning MVP honors in leading it to its first national title in 1992.

He said the USF job is intriguing not only for the chance to coach in the Big East with a new stadium in the future, but because he wouldn't have to move with his wife and two sons.

"That's probably the most important part for me, what's best for them," Urso said.

UT's past two coaches made similar leaps. Lelo Prado, who won national titles in 1992 and 1993, has been at Louisville since 1995, and Terry Rupp, who won in 1998, at Maryland since 2001.

Nelson North, a former UT assistant and the Bulls' pitching coach for six seasons, said Monday he will apply. Florida State associate coach Jamey Shouppe also indicated he will apply.

Bryan Peters, an assistant for nine years at USF under Cardieri and at Stetson this past season, said he would not apply out of respect for Cardieri.

[Minotaur]

Another thing here: You know what this sounds like to me?

It sounds like a young, ambitious guy who just wants a shot at a job where he KNOWS can suceed. I doubt this is a startegem to get more money out of UT. It sounds like a genuine guy asking for the chance.

If he gets the interview I bet he blows the doors off. Just like Jim Leavitt did and I would bet we will hear compable comments afterward.

[Ricky the Bull]

It may also be the sound of a coach who is leveraging for a nice, fat raise to stay at UT.  The Spartan alumni could provide any match to what we offer monetarily; it just depends on whether he is really interested in testing the D1 waters after conquering DII.

[Joe]

While I'd might like a higher profile guy, it wouldn't hurt my feelings if we got Urso.

I agree.

[bulls96go]

if ever there was a guy that screamed hire me urso is it!

this guy just feels and sounds right...just like when we first heard of JL.

he has all the credentials to make the step up IMHO

get him an interview NOW!

Urso just completed his sixth season with the Spartans, easily the most successful campaign in school history. UT went 54-6, spent most of the season ranked No. 1 in the nation, won the school's fourth national title and could have five of its players selected in today's Major League Baseball draft.

Urso, 35, is 265-88 in six seasons at UT and has a history of titles in Tampa. He played for Plant High's state title team in 1988 and was a four-year starter at second base for UT, earning MVP honors in leading it to its first national title in 1992.

[SRQ]

And he's a 'home-boy' so he ain't going to jump at the first sniff from a big $$ school after he takes us to the College World Series.  (Look at this guys record!)