When coaching jobs need to be filled, the up-and-coming assistant coaches are always highly sought-after. That's the case for associate head coach Chad Holbrook, who just completed his first year at USC but has already been mentioned for at least one head coaching position.
National pundits began to throw around Holbrook's name when Wake Forest declined to extend the contact of former head coach Rick Rembielak. The Demon Deacons have yet to hire a coach and speculation on the USC assistant's job has continued.
Holbrook, however, has no interest in the job.
"I'm happy at USC and plan on being here a long time," Holbrook said in an exclusive interview with TheBigSpur.com. "I don't have any interest in the Wake Forest job. I don't have any interest in pursuing it."
Holbrook was hired on July 7, 2008 from North Carolina and hasn't looked back. The Gamecocks notched their 10th consecutive 40-win season with Holbrook in the third base box for the first time and he believes his future is right here in Columbia.
"Our family is just getting started here," Holbrook said. "We're enjoying our time and plan on being here for many years to come."
It would take a "perfect situation" for Holbrook to leave as he already found the "perfect situation" in the USC program. A four-year standout at North Carolina from 1990-93, Holbrook began his career as an assistant coach with the Tar Heels the following season where he remained until becoming a Gamecock.
Now, Holbrook has brought his recruiting talents and coaching abilities to South Carolina and is excited to work with the 2010 group of Gamecocks.
"We have a great group of kids that I look forward to coaching next year and in the coming seasons," Holbrook said. "I love our program, I love working with Ray Tanner, I love the University of South Carolina, and we have a great product to sell here. It's a great place to come play baseball."
Holbrook is making an instant impact on the recruiting trail landing some of the state's top prospects and highly-sought after players from around the country.
USC expects to have more than a dozen players either recruited or who have played under Holbrook's watch. He also recruited and coached Dustin Ackley and pitcher Alex White at UNC, who are projected as first round draft choices.
