Jeremy McClain is set to begin his first year on the 10-person NCAA Division I Baseball Selection Committee.
The Southern Miss AD joins the group of leading administrators along with three other new additions in Jacksonville State AD Greg Seitz, Kent State AD Randale Richmond, and Portland AD Scott Leykam. The six returning members include committee chairman and Southeastern Louisiana AD Jay Artigues, Indiana AD Scott Dolson, East Carolina AD Jon Gilbert, Florida State AD Michael Alford, Kansas State AD Casey Scott, and Florida AD Scott Stricklin.
McClain told us that much of his preparation process has included what he already was doing -- watching baseball.
“I’ve watched a lot of baseball – and I always do – but this year’s been a little different," McClain said to Big Gold Nation. "ESPN+ is such an asset. You ask my wife, I get home from Pete Taylor Park and watch the West Coast games. I think, as committee members, we’re very serious about it. Watching games and watching teams is a big part of that. This is year one for me, so I know in year two I’ll have a better feel for what that’s like."
While the committee conversations and overall selection process is mostly opaque, the prevailing sentiment is that having direct representation at the table can boost a team's position or ease of the path to Omaha.
This makes sense. Considering past instances like then-Mississippi State AD John Cohen reportedly going to bat for Ole Miss in 2022 (resulting in the Rebels being the last team before making a title run), ECU's (and former Southern Miss AD) Jon Gilbert apparently helping to win the Pirates a hosting spot in 2024, or even on the basketball side, when North Carolina was controversially included in the 2024-25 tournament with their AD Bubba Cunningham chairing the selection committee, it certainly doesn't hurt.
The Golden Eagles are walking a fine line on the hosting bubble and their case has grown increasingly compelling with the recent 18-game run. Having McClain's nameplate sitting at the table could be a helpful push.
