Wednesday, we reported that Oregon St. baseball Head Coach Pat Casey is considering stepping down as coach, and taking an administrative position in the Athletic Department. Casey indicated he would reach a decision withing a few weeks.
This afternoon, 750 The Game in Portland is reporting that sources indicate Casey is leaning towards retiring, and has informed Athletic Director Bob De Carolis that is his intention. KGW Sports is also reporting this update.
Casey reportedly will spend the weekend making sure he is sure, and if he doesn't have a change of heart or mind, an announcement could come Monday.
"I'm not discouraged with coaching, and I'm not unhappy at Oregon State," Casey has said. "It's about nothing more than the responsibility I feel for the program, and the energy I want to coach with. I want to do what's right for Oregon State baseball. I owe it to the program to evaluate myself every year."
The retirement talk has sprung forth during Casey's self-evaluation exercise, something he has done following each season under his current 10-year contract, which he is half way through.
Should Casey, 52, who has led Oregon St. to two College World Series Championships, and three appearances in Omaha, decide to hang up his cleats, Associate Head Coach Marty Lees would doubtless take over, at least in the interim. De Carolis would then have to decide if a wider search is called for, of if a more seamless transition to Lees is in the Beavers' best interest.Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com