Corral fired as pitching coach; Raleigh points to 'philosophical differences'

Fred Corral’s second tour of duty as University of Tennessee pitching coach ended Friday. Corral was fired by second-year coach Todd Raleigh in the wake of the Vols’ 26-29 season.

“This was certainly not an easy decision,” Raleigh said in a statement released by UT. “I’m grateful for everything Fred has done for this program. Unfortunately, there were some philosophical differences that led to this conclusion.”

Corral said he did not know what the philosophical differences were.

“That’s hard for me to answer,” he said.

The Vols started SEC play with a 1-11 record and finished 11-19 and last in the East Division and eight games behind champion Florida. Only Mississippi State (9-20) had a worse conference record.

Pitching was the primary problem. The Vols’ earned-run average was 6.16 and opponents batted .290 against Tennessee.

UT’s ERA in conference games was 6.24 compared to LSU, which led the league at 4.01. Only Mississippi State’s was higher (6.59).

The Vols also had a hard time keeping the ball in the ballpark. SEC teams hit a league-high 77 home runs against UT.

Nick Hernandez and Bryan Morgado, who were supposed to be UT’s 1-2 punch on the mound, struggled. Hernandez was 4-5 with a 5.23 ERA while Morgado was 4-2 with a 6.36 ERA.

Ty’Relle Harris, who was in and out of the weekend rotation, finished 4-4 with a 6.18 ERA and was suspended a week before the season ended.

UT used 17 pitchers without much success.

“It’s the nature of the business,” Corral said. “You’re expected to produce and that wasn’t the case. That’s how it is. I’m saddened I won’t be part of Tennessee’s future successes. I care for the team and the staff.”

Corral first came to UT as Rod Delmonico’s pitching coach in 2003. He left after two seasons for Oklahoma before returning. Thirty-six of his pitchers have been drafted during his 16-year career.

Corral’s 2004 staff at Tennessee ranked 13th nationally with a 3.51 ERA and recorded the fifth-highest strikeout total in school history.

Kansas City Royals pitcher Luke Hochevar was recruited by Corral. The right-hander became the first overall pick in the 2006 draft and credits Corral for his development.

Raleigh began calling pitches during the 2009 season and that led to speculation a rift developed between Raleigh and Corral. Corral dismissed the notion.

However, his departure could impact UT’s 2010 team.

Chad Bell, ace of Walters State’s staff the past two years with a 20-3 record and a UT signee, was caught off base by the news.

“It really comes as a surprise,” the former South-Doyle left-hander said. “I still don’t know what to think about it. Coach Corral was one of the nation’s premier pitching coaches.”

Bell is pitching in the prestigious Cape Cod League but could return to Knoxville if taken early in the draft next week. He would then have the option to sign and turn pro or go to UT.

“We’ll see how it goes and who they bring in,” Bell said.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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