No fumbles expected on staff turnover

In 41 years, there have been three USC head baseball coaches. Not coincidentally, the school has enjoyed its greatest successes during that span.

That continuity would appear likely to continue with the naming of Chad Holbrook as successor to Ray Tanner on Monday.

Holbrook, who enjoys telling the story of how he sneaked into Tanner’s 1996 introductory press conference to slip him a “hire me” note, takes over after four years as Tanner’s associate head coach.

With his on-the-job training under Tanner’s tutelage, Holbrook should be able to maintain the vaunted Gamecocks program, according to assistant coach Drew Meyer.

“Coach Holbrook learned so much from Coach Tanner and all the coaches,” Meyer said. “I think everything should go very smoothly. The players know what to expect and what’s expected of them.”

The first thing Holbrook did was lock down the remainder of the staff. All USC assistants are staying put. Jerry Meyers, Sammy Esposito and Meyer will maintain their responsibilities while Holbrook will continue to head up recruiting efforts.

Meyers and Esposito were on the recruiting trail Monday afternoon, but Meyer said keeping Holbrook in his office would be difficult, even with the new job title.

“His record is impeccable as far as recruiting,” Meyer said. “That’s not something you just say I’m not going to do. That’s in his blood to recruit. He won’t even be able to help it.”

With the open spot on the staff, it is widely expected former USC standout and former major leaguer Brian Buscher will join the team in a volunteer position.

Buscher, who coaches the Columbia Blowfish in the Coastal Plain League, could not begin a position with USC until that season is over. College coaches are not allowed to coach their own players by rule in summer collegiate leagues. USC’s Erik Payne and Joel Seddon are playing for the Blowfish, as are a pair of Gamecock recruits. The CPL’s regular season ends Aug. 2, with the Petitt Cup playoffs from Aug. 4-14.

Buscher declined to address possibilities on Monday, but did add his voice to the chorus of people who were pleased with Holbrook’s promotion.

“I think he’s the right guy for the job, I really do,” Buscher said. “He does a really good job of paying attention to the details. Being behind Coach Tanner for about four years, you’ve got to experience the best.”

This story was originally published July 16, 2012 at 5:00 AM.