Future uncertain for coaches

Pirates pitching coach Spin Williams is the rare person who has spent his entire professional baseball life with one organization. From his playing days to his minor-league coaching career to his time on the major-league staff, Williams has collected his paychecks from the Pirates every year since 1979.
Williams isn't worried that, in light of former manager Lloyd McClendon's dismissal, his 27-year tenure with the organization may be coming to an end.
Like the rest of the major-league coaches, Williams is without a contract for next season. But he said Wednesday the only future he is concerned about is the one that pertains to the remaining games on the schedule.
"I have to go on," Williams said. "I'm a Pittsburgh Pirate. I have to do what I am paid to do right now."
That sentiment was shared by the other coaches who, like Williams, are in the unenviable position of not knowing where they will be employed next season. That includes interim manager Pete Mackanin.
"You can't worry about what is going to happen," third base coach John Russell said. "I've never been the type of person to worry about getting fired. You can't do that. You still have a responsibility to do."
It's almost certain there will be a staff shakeup at the end of the season, perhaps even before general manager Dave Littlefield begins the interview process for a permanent manager.
"When the top dog gets fired, there's always a chance there's going to be repercussions later," first base coach Rusty Kuntz said. "The one thing you have to remember is you're hired to be fired. I've been with four organizations. (Getting fired) is something that's always in the back of your mind when something like this happens."
Williams and bullpen coach Bruce Tanner are the two remaining coaches most closely aligned with McClendon. They were part of his initial staff that was assembled prior to the 2001 season.
Williams served as a bullpen coach under Jim Leyland, was retained by Gene Lamont and was promoted when McClendon took over.
"The only thing affecting me is I have a different boss," Williams said. I'm going to keep doing the same thing, which is keep working with the pitchers and do the same things I've done for the past five years."
Tanner spent seven years as a minor-league pitching coach before getting his break from McClendon.
"When you're on a year-to-year contract, you always wonder what's going to happen the next season," Tanner said. "It's always in the back of your mind if you're coming back and in what capacity. That's human nature. But I don't dwell on it too much. I try to be positive every day and keep the guys in the bullpen upbeat. We're flowing along like business as usual."
The rest of the staff was brought in by Littlefield following the 2002 season.
"I had options to go elsewhere and I signed here, so I want to stay," Perry said. "I came here to accomplish a job, and that's still my plan. You want to finish what you start."
Russell is hoping to interview for McClendon's position. Although he lacks major-league managing experience, Russell was a highly successful minor-league manager in the Minnesota Twins organization, and he interviewed last off-season for the Philadelphia Phillies post that went to Charlie Manuel.
"I'd love to get a shot," Russell said. "This is the type of team I'd like to manage. It would be a great opportunity for anybody. Right now, it's not a concern. I love what I do. I love the job, I have and if I kept doing this, that would be great, too."
Tanner, the son of former Pirates manager Chuck Tanner, continues to live in his native New Castle, so he obviously also would like to stay on board.
"I like what's going on here," he said. "I see good things going on down the road. This is the first time in five years that I feel we're starting to turn the corner. Not from wins and losses, but from what I see on the field."

Source: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/