Teams in the Southeastern Conference could soon see another name added to their payroll, after a vote at the SEC’s Spring Meetings earlier in June.
Affecting both baseball and softball, the proposal outlined the addition of an option for a fourth paid coach on a team’s coaching staff. Teams would not be required to carry a full staff of four paid coaches, but the proposal would give the opportunity to do so.
After being voted on and passed at the conference’s meetings, the proposal moved forward to seek an NCAA vote and approval. Only after passing an NCAA vote could the proposal be ratified and put into action.
Under the proposal, teams that elect to utilize the position of a fourth paid coach on staff would be forced to forfeit the use of the position of volunteer assistant coach. In effect, teams would not necessarily gain the opportunity to have any more bodies in the dugout than at present, but would be able to advertise a compensated position.
The timeline for an NCAA vote is rumored to be potentially as far off as the spring of 2019.
