Billy Godwin Press Conference Quotes
October 11, 2005 | Baseball
Oct. 11, 2005
East Carolina Director of Athletics Terry Holland
"While I think I can safely say that none of us would prefer to be here under this particular set of circumstances, I can also say that last spring when we were faced with replacing two outstanding and popular assistant coaches that Nick Floyd and I took abnormal attention in hiring our next assistant coach. When we did research on Billy Godwin's credentials and had a chance to see what he has accomplished in his life along with his ties to this area he had and the great respect that he commands throughout the area there was no question in our minds that this was someone who could really help us and help the program at this particular time in our history. I don't think any of us could have anticipated how important that hire was going to end up being because I do think this is a critical time in the history of our baseball program and I want to say that I have every confidence that we have the right man, at the right time, at the right place. I cannot tell you how comfortable I am at this time of turning the reigns over to this gentleman. He will absolutely build a program that is built on trust and mutual respect that all of us can be proud of. So without further adieu, I would like to introduce the acting head baseball coach for East Carolina University, Mr. Billy Godwin."
Coach Billy Godwin
"I would like to say that standing in front of you today is indeed an honor. I would like to thank Dr. Ballard, Terry Holland, and Nick Floyd for this opportunity. I am very proud to be an East Carolina Pirate. I look forward to keeping the tradition of this strong program heading in the right direction. I take great pride in following the outstanding men who served here before me and the players who played in this program. The tradition they worked so hard to build is what I will work so tirelessly to protect. Our goal for East Carolina baseball is to be playing in Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neb. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my family, who is here, my wife Sharon and my daughter Mallory. Without them I would not be here today. I would also like to thank my mother and father. Again I am excited about this opportunity and will work relentlessly to make the Pirate Nation proud. The destination is Omaha and it is 1,340 miles."
Q&A
When were you informed that this would happen?
"Sometime yesterday afternoon."
Where you shocked?
"I was surprised, yes."
Have you met with the players?
"Yes I have. I met with the players last night and thought it went extremely well."
What is your biggest challenge for in this situation?
"I think the biggest challenge, and my ultimate concern, is the 31 young men we have in our program and have them look them straight ahead and have them to continue to work hard as we finish the last three days of our fall practice. A lot of them are here today and I would like to thank them for being here. I just want to get back on the field to business as usual."
Who will be hired for other assistant coaching positions?
"Right now I am taking this as daily goals to be honest with you. Yesterday it was getting the team moving in the right direction, today is getting through the press conference, of course, have our team practice, and talk our recruits. So I think tomorrow coach Jarrett will sit down and evaluate where we are at and make some decisions. I promise you we will do what is in the best interests of East Carolina and our program."
Talk about your path up to this point?
"When I go the job at Louisburg, I took over for a man named Russ Frazier who had been there for 40 years and was in the NJCA Hall of Fame. He won over 1,000 games and had about 13 big leaguers. I think those shoes were about 19 1/2, so I'm used to stepping in with some pressure and that doesn't bother me at all."
How do you feel about your status after the season?
"In every job that I have taken my goal was not to see where I was going but to work as hard as I possibly could and let the chips fall where they may, and I think that is probably what has happened in this case. I really never had a goal of being a Division I head coach. I love baseball and I have a passion for it. I have a passion for eastern North Carolina. I am indeed excited about this opportunity. I'm the acting head coach and I assume if I do a good job then I will get an opportunity. I think coach Holland will take my resume."
Do you feel like you are trying out for a position on the team like one of the players?
The only jobs I have ever had were year-to-year contracts, so this is no different.
What did you talk to the team about?
East Carolina has done a lot of things that have been positive, seven straight regionals and two super regionals, and that's what we emphasized and that's what we want to build upon. The program is in outstanding shape. We have so many outstanding young men. I have been so impressed with their character and ability since I've been here and I am just excited about the opportunity. We talked about moving the program forward and what it would take. I feel confident that they are all on my side and we're ready to progress in a positive manner."
Do you feel you have their [players] support or do you think you have to earn it?
This was all of a sudden and I would say there was some concern, but I think they realize where this program is at this moment and they're ready to tackle that. I definitely feel I have their support."
Talk about the timing of the coaching change?
"I don't think any time you make a coaching is an appropriate time, especially the way college baseball has matured in recruiting, but we are going take the cards that have been dealt. I am really not a guy that dwells a lot on problems. Right now I am seeking solutions. We are finding the answers and we are moving forward."
Have you had a chance to talk to any of the recruits?
"I have talked to one parent of a recruit and coach Jarrett has talked to another recruit and we feel very comfortable with those two conversations. We have had 10 commitments, which we think is an outstanding recruiting class. Our goal is to maintain the entire class."
What will you do differently than coach Mazey?
"I think every person has their own personality and coaching style. Certainly coach Mazey would not have been successful if he didn't do something right. The hard work, the dedication and the hustle, they are all characteristics of players who have played for me in the past. We are going to play hard and hustle, be disciplined on and off the field and we are going to be good in the community and the classroom."
Do you know coach LeClair or have you had any contact with him?
"I do know coach LeClair, but because I was gone the first 30-35 days I was in Greenville, I haven't had the chance to meet with him. I do know him through a previous relationship, while I was at Louisburg prior to coach Mazey coming in. I have all the respect in the world for him and what he has done for East Carolina University."
What is the biggest challenge starting off the season with a new coaching staff?
"I think the first goal is to get these guys to believe in me, and I think we have accomplished that. Since I have been here I have worked hard to earn their trust and earn their respect. It is a day-to-day process, but I think we have made good headway on that. I have a great amount of respect for our players. They seem to be very focused and ready to move on. I think that is the biggest challenge. Any good coach has to have his team behind him. "
How do you feel about carrying on the tradition of ECU baseball?
"I know a lot about that tradition. I played at Atlantic Christian, which is Barton College now. I grew up in eastern North Carolina and followed East Carolina University and know about the outstanding job that coach Gary Overton and coach Hal Baird did. It's an honor to be standing here with those types of names and be mentioned as the next coach at East Carolina. It is not something I will take lightly."
