A Diamond Dog assistant coach since 1996, Perno wants to fill the shoes left by the departed Ron Polk, who announced Monday he was leaving Georgia to return to Mississippi State after only two seasons leading the charge at Foley Field. Former Diamond Dog coach Ron Polk compiled a 79-48 record in two seasons in Athens.
Polk seems to think Perno would be a good fit, too, recommending him for the job. But Athletics Director Vince Dooley is concentrating his search on proven head coaches, Perno said after meeting with Dooley Tuesday.
'I'm still a long shot,' Perno said. 'I feel equipped and prepared for the job. I hope (Polk's recommendation) would weigh in (with Dooley).'
Diamond Dog veterans would love to see Perno at the helm, said junior Adam Swann.
'(Perno) would be my preference,' said the Comer native, who will return for his senior season. 'All the guys love him. I don't see why they wouldn't give the guy a chance.'
Concerns arise from Perno's age -- he turns 33 next week -- but he said he has dealt with age issues before as a 22-year-old when he was named head coach of a local American Legion team after being rejected twice. The club won the state championship and came just a step short of the World Series, losing in the regional
tournament.
Another question mark is Perno's lack of head coaching experience. The Georgia alumnus' only stint as a head coach at the collegiate level was as the skipper of the Cortland, N.Y. Apples, members of the Northeastern Collegiate Summer League from 1992-1996.
The disconnection with a university leads one to wonder how Perno would handle the administrative side of a head coaching position. But, the
former Marshall and Middle Georgia assistant claimed he got a taste of that since he didn't have the luxury of a well-developed support staff while at the smaller schools.
'It's nothing I haven't dealt with before,' he said. 'Compliance, academics, public relations Ð I've done it all since I've been here. It's not anything that is intimidating.'
Perno was part of the dramatic turnaround the Diamond Dogs pulled off under the direction of Polk. Just two years ago Georgia finished 20-30-1 with an 8-20 SEC mark. The Dogs, who batted only .265 as a team the season before Perno arrived, have hit under .300 as a club just once -- .299 in 1997 -- under his tutelage.
'He's a great coach,' said Swann, who hit a cool .326 for the SEC champions and led the team with 26 doubles. 'He's improved the program every year. Everyone is confident in his ability.'
Polk returned to Mississippi State to take over for Pat McMahon, who succeeded him when he retired in 1997. McMahon replaced the fired Andy Lopez at Florida. Polk couldn't resist the call home, he said.
'I did not want to be in this situation and never thought this could happen,' he said. 'But in the final analysis, Mississippi State is home. Certainly the job (at Georgia) is not finished. I am envious of the coach who comes into the program, because it's a great
situation.'
If Perno's not the guy, it may mean the end of his career as a Bulldog, he said.
'If I get beat and they select another guy I would have to reevaluate my situation at the University,' Perno said. 'There's no guarantee the new guy would want me. I've spoken (with Dooley) and he's told me what direction he's moving -- looking at a couple prominent head coaches. I have no problem with that. That's best for the University and definitely what's best for the baseball program.'