Two Candidates for the Assistant Coach Job

Not picking these because of Mississippi ties, I could care less about that. This is just a quick search.

Butch Thompson, an assistant coach at Georgia for the past four seasons, finished his first season as an assistant coach at Auburn. Thompson, a native of Amory, Miss., served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator from 2002-05 for the Bulldogs and will focus on recruiting while also coordinating the defense, working with outfielders, infielders and catchers for the Tigers.During his time at Georgia, Thompson guided a pitching staff that helped win the SEC Championship and earn a College World Series berth in 2004. The 2004 pitching staff posted the third-lowest opponent batting average in school history while also collecting a school-record 17 saves. During his time in Athens he coached two All-SEC pitchers, a Freshman All-American and had five Bulldog pitchers sign professional contracts following the 2005 season.

Entering his 16th year on Tennessee's coaching staff, Larry Simcox is saddled with a tremendous amount of responsibility. The 21-year coaching veteran wears many hats. He serves as the Vols' infield coach while also assisting with hitting instruction, defensive positioning and coaching third base. He also helps direct UT's overall recruiting efforts. In addition, he is the Tennessee baseball camp director and handles all scheduling and promotion of the camps.

Simcox joined Delmonico's staff July 25, 1990 after serving as an assistant coach with the Ole Miss Rebels under legendary coach Jake Gibbs from 1985-90. While at Ole Miss, he handled recruiting and coaching the Rebels infield, as well as being the first base coach and hitting instructor. Simcox played collegiate baseball at Ole Miss, where he graduated in 1982 with a marketing degree. As a senior, Simcox was named All-Southeastern Conference after batting a team-high .374, and posting a fielding percentage of .940. During that same season, he had a remarkable batting eye, striking out only one time in 194 plate appearances. The mark stands as an NCAA record for that many appearances. As a junior he hit .336, leading his team to the SEC Tournament and garnering all-tournament honors, as well as being named to the All-SEC West Division squad.