OSU baseball: Mike Holder has a lengthy list of candidates for baseball coach

Holder, acknowledging he's no expert on the college baseball landscape, won't go solo on this hire. Regents and supporters will be involved.

And the program's rich past will be tapped, too, with Holder reaching out to those who shaped the glory days of the '80s and '90s, most notably former coach Gary Ward.

“I value his opinion,” Holder said of the man who crafted the most wins in program history, along with 16 consecutive Big 12 Tournament titles. “He's a coaching legend here. He's fully invested in OSU baseball, he cares about it.

“So I value his opinion. I've talked to him a couple of times.”

Holder's calls have extended to the professional level.

“I've talked to Robin Ventura. I've talked to John Farrell,” Ward said of the former Cowboys now managing in the majors. “The list of people I've talked to would be way too long to put in any newspaper article.

“But everyone who has played a part in making OSU baseball what it is or was, who's had a desire to express an opinion, I've listened to them.”

Holder's timeline for the hire: ASAP, although the “possible” part of that equation may create a delay.

First, he must form a legitimate list of candidates, which could involve coaches still working, with 16 teams entering Super Regional play this weekend. The opening, according to Holder, has created much interest.

“Anyone in college baseball and anyone who follows college baseball is aware of the history of OSU baseball,” Holder said. “We've shown that we can win at the highest level. So a lot of great people are interested.”

There is a level of urgency, however. Recruits who have been signed must be reassured. Recruits still dangling unsigned could be pursued. And there's some recruiting to be done on the Cowboys with eligibility remaining.

For now, Anderson assistants Greg Evans and Billy Jones remain on the job, pushing the program.

“We'd like to have a coach named as soon as possible, but it's more important to get the right guy,” Holder said. “The best that I can tell everyone out there who's concerned about this is we're expediting the process as quickly as possible, but we're not going to get in a hurry just to name a coach.”

A common theme among the alums, as well as fans, is a desire to tap into the program's past and bring in someone who understands the history and tradition and what it means — and what it takes — to win in Stillwater.