OK, so this has gone beyond ridiculous as of about 8 p.m. last night, when I read about CTU’s latest commitment, Scott Pagano.  As Gamecock fans, we’ve all asked the question, thought this very thing, admit it:

How do they do it?  How does a slightly above average football program (note: in relation to their conference, which is well below average) that is so known for its epic face plants that “pulling a Clemson” has become part of our lexicon, continue to get commitments from top notch high school football players?

The article I linked about Pagano’s commitment really doesn’t clear things up at all.  As a matter of fact, it makes things murkier than ever.  It’s a bizarre interview that would fit just as well on the pages of The Onion as it does on Korny and Kmac’s Sportstalk page.

Let’s review some of Pagano’s comments, shall we?

“It’s just perfect there” (referring to Clemson)

Look, upstate South Carolina is no trash dump.  It’s quite lovely in areas as a matter of fact.  BUT THIS DUDE IS FROM HAWAII.  WHAT…THE…F?!?  Are you serious?  Was he hanging out with Sammy in the Cadillac before this visit?  The guy from Hawaii just called Clemson “perfect”.  In any context that is just wrong, and should raise suspicions of drug use and/or large bills stuffed in plain paper bags.

“Coach (Dabo) Swinney is just like my high school coach.” 

OK, fair point.  One for the kid.

“He’s religious and he believes in team unity.”

Not sure why these two are intertwined, but the “religion” point is a common theme you hear out of recruits who visit CTU.  That Dabo must be a real saint.  As far as believing in team unity, this is undoubtedly in stark contrast to the other coaches at schools he visited that are hell bent on team division.  This must really set CTU apart.

“I’ve never seen anyone just read The Bible for fun.”

My first thought, as a Christian, was “boy, there’s a ringing endorsement for Christianity.”  But then I thought about how that came up.  Did Dabo challenge him to a sword drill?  “C’mon Scotty! 1 Peter 3:12 on the count of three!  One, two, THREE!  Ha ha, got you my man!  You come to Clemson and we’ll have you finding the minor prophets in under three seconds!”

“It’s where I want to be.”

Again, he’s from HAWAII.  Let’s see, Hawaii, Lake Hartwell, Hawaii, Lake Hartwell, Hawaii, Lake Hartwell…I’ll take Lake Hartwell because I’m DUMB AS A BAG OF BALL PEEN HAMMERS.

“They are a top ten school academically.”

Wha…I…what?  Top 10 in…the ACC?  The state of South Carolina?  Are the Clemson folks just flat out lying to recruits?

“I”m all-in for Clemson”

Ah, geez, it’s brainwashing.  No question about it.  They’ve got some Tony Robbins-type dude who instead of convincing them to walk on hot coals convinces them to commit to CTU.

Or maybe, just maybe, there is a large armoire somewhere on campus that takes you to Narnia.

Yeah, that has to be it.

Clemson “commitment” Robert Nkemdiche sporting an Ole Miss jersey on his trip to Oxford this weekend.  Says he’s still solid to Clemson.  You think somebody likes a little attention?

Three very busy summers have kept us away from the broadcast booth, but team TRC returns tonight to bring everyone up to speed on what you should be thinking about:

• Our old AD
• Our new AD
• SEC Media Days
• acc media days
• This Week in Dabo
• Recruiting

We’ll be live at 6:30 p.m., and then archived forever.  But don’t wait!  It’ll be a real good time.  Please join us.

What were you doing 25 years ago?

Well, I was anxiously awaiting my 1987-88 University of South Carolina pocket schedule.  That’s right, college football was so stable back in those days we could print TWO years at one time without fear of Miami of Florida jumping to the Big 8 Conference or North Carolina backing out on their home and home obligation.

It was a glorious time, that summer before my Freshman year.  How was I able to start my college career at nine years old you may ask?  Well, that’s a story for another time my friends.  For now, let’s just enjoy looking at those loose-fitting non-space-age all-cotton uniforms and pray for those linemen in the picture who are currently paying for all that steroid abuse from back in the day.

Oh, and Todd Ellis.

As the Eric Hyman era officially comes to a close this month, the search has commenced for someone to follow perhaps the best Athletic Director in South Carolina history.  While people with ties to USC like Dan Radakovich (GT), Brad Edwards (Newberry), and Chris Massaro (MTSU) have been mentioned, the primary attention has turned to head baseball coach Ray Tanner. 

My question is – why?

Now before you jump me, I’m not saying Tanner couldn’t do a fantastic job.  He may very well become an outstanding AD someday.  But I think it’s a reasonable question to ask.

What qualifies Ray Tanner to be the next AD at South Carolina?  What I’ve heard from the gallery is:

• He has run our baseball program for 16 years and turned it into the best in the country.  OK.
• He oversaw every aspect of the building of Carolina Stadium, perhaps the best collegiate baseball facility in the nation.  OK.
• He was an Associate AD at North Carolina State before coming to South Carolina.  OK.
• He has expressed interest in being an AD someday.  Um, not a qualifier, but OK.
• He…um…oversaw every aspect…   You already said that. 

Honestly, I hope he does get the job, I really do.  But the fact most people are speaking of it as a foregone conclusion baffles me.  There are people out there with much better resumes as actual Athletic Directors than Ray Tanner that would kill for this job. 

Now, Tanner has done an immeasurable amount of good not only for our baseball program, but for our entire athletic department.  That certainly counts for a lot.  If he really wants this job, he should get serious consideration (which it appears he is). 

While some are reporting the deal is imminent, Tanner is playing it close to the vest, saying he feels like he has several more years of coaching left in him.  Meanwhile, university president Harris Pastides isn’t tipping his hand either. 

This is a hire that cannot be screwed up, people.  For whatever faults he may have had, Eric Hyman left us in much better shape than he found us, and we need that momentum to continue. 

Will Ray Tanner make a great Athletic Director?  I don’t know, but I have a feeling we’re about to find out. 

Sweeping on…

The Yes Man.  We’ve given Eric Hyman quite a bit of guff in this blog space before, but the fact is the guy did a heck of a lot to improve our Athletic Department.  Sure, he let his alma mater (UNC) off the hook a couple of times on the gridiron.  And more than a few old-timer pinchpennies were bent out of shape when they finally had to pay more for their football tickets after 50 years.  But the fact is all that was long overdue, and has led to an impressive master building plan that will make all our facilities among the best in the country. 

And to that, we say YES.

NKOTB.  Texas A&M and Missouri are now officially part of the Southeastern Conference.  Welcome, friends.

In other news, Clemson is still in the ACC.  And still not relevent.   

Texas A&M 1, South Carolina 0.  In the burgeoning new rivalry, the Aggies draw first blood. 

And the Next Next Herschel Walker is… Keith Marshall!  Did anyone NOT see this coming for Isaiah Crowell?  Well, maybe you didn’t see scratched off serial numbers on a handgun, that’s pretty serious business.  I would’ve put my money on weed, of which the entire car apparently reeked, but there was no evidence and therefore no additional charges.  Look for Mr. Crowell to surface at Jacksonville State if he doesn’t get any substantial jail time. 

My Favorite Martin.  Frank Martin picked up a huge commitment from 2014 PG Marcus Stroman out of Keenan on Monday.  I had never heard of the guy, but when I asked Columbia local Gman if Stroman was any good he simply replied “VERY”.  Word.

If you’re not already following us on Twitter, please do so, you will be handsomely rewarded – @rubrchickens.

Happy Independence Day everybody.  The countdown to SEC Media days starts now.

Shortly after South Carolina’s Super Regional win to earn its third straight trip to the College World Series in Omaha, I wrote the following:

Michael Roth, Matt Price, Evan Marzilli, and Christian Walker have all been indispensable parts of the two National Championship teams and the current CWS team.  And as those four threw their last pitches and took their last swings at Carolina Stadium, they received well-deserved standing ovations and one absolutely necessary curtain call for Roth.

Win or lose in Omaha over the next two weeks, we know there will be a statue someday for the architect of all this success, Ray Tanner.   

But as we watched 29, 22, 31 and 13 participate in one final dogpile in Columbia, it got me to thinking – do they deserve more? 

I’m not talking about retiring numbers, I don’t really believe in that practice except in extraordinary circumstances (see Steve Wadiak and George Rogers). 

But how about a mural?  What better way to honor the cornerstones of our two (and maybe three) time National Champions by permanently putting their faces at the entrance to Carolina Stadium?   

Or even better, put their faces on the outfield walls.  Even if you just put them up for the next 2-3 years, the fans would have a reminder of the monumental accomplishments of these guys.  Plus, if you want to intimidate the competition, the steely eyed stare of Matt Price, even in mural form, couldn’t hurt.

A standing ovation and a place in the historical record is nice, but these four deserve more.  They have helped make South Carolina the current gold standard in college baseball, and put us historically in the conversation with legendary programs Southern California, Texas and LSU.    

They are special players, and should be remembered in a special way.

Now, today, after a tough loss to an excellent Arizona team ended the dreams of the third straight national title, I feel more strongly about this than ever. 

We have heard the amazing stats and numbers over the course of the last two weeks.  There are multiple records our boys set, many of which may never be broken.  And the four guys mentioned above were major contributors to what is easily the greatest run of any Gamecock team in history.

Email associate AD Charles Waddell at charlesw@sc.edu if you think Roth, Price, Walker and Marzilli deserve a permanent place at Carolina Stadium.  I sure do.

Click here to listen to TRC Unleashed – Episode 23, where you can hear the staff talk about:

• The ‘Cocks chances at the 2012 CWS
• Reminisce about the 2002 tournament and CWS
• Missing Mike Morgan
• This Week in Dabo (it’s a doozy)

Among other things.

What kind of losers hold a podcast at 6:30 p.m. on a Friday night?  Wait, you answered that way too quickly…

Anyhoo, Buck, Gman and Tbone are back after a nearly two month hiatus to cover super important topics regarding Gamecock athletics, including:

• A preview of the 2012 CWS (we seem to do this every year, what’s up with that?)
• A review of the regional and super regional held in Columbia
• This Week in Dabo
• The real reason recruits commit to Clemson
• Any other football news we can dredge up
• GABA’s College Tworld Series

You can listen live, or later, right here.

Join us if you can.