Daniel Cantu describes Link Jarrett as ‘Pappa Bear’

Florida State baseball is in the College World Series one year after they finished eight games below .500. According to the players, credit head coach Link Jarrett for such a turnaround.

“Coach Jarrett is like Pappa Bear and we’re just his younglings,” joked Seminole first baseman Daniel Cantu. “We follow his lead.”

Cantu and another player, Alex Lodise, spoke to media this week ahead of FSU’s CWS opener and field questions, one of which centered around Coach Jarrett and what it’s been like to play for him. Cantu, who’s been with Jarrett at FSU just one year, is clearly fond of him.

“He does a really great job with really programming us and getting us all in line and just completing the task at hand each and every day and going out and winning,” Cantu added, then repeating a typical Link Jarrett phrase.

“Going 1-0 each and every day and keeping us where our feet are in the moment and really just completing the task at hand. It’s been a really great job. He’s an amazing leader and an amazing coach. Very thankful to have this opportunity to play for him.”

Lodise added that Jarrett’s practice have a structure and reliability to them that he’s really come to appreciate.

“There’s no other coach in the country that you want to go out to the field every day (with), and you see him as, alright, we’re going to have a great practice. We know it’s going to be structured well, and you just know what you are getting yourself into.”

Especially as an infielder, Lodise believes he’s received coaching from the best there is.

“As infielders, there’s no other coach in the country that I would rather learn the defensive style from the infield from than Coach Jarrett.”

Daniel Cantu believes this particular group has found the magic, and they aren’t just in Omaha to compete; they’ve arrived with plans of winning the whole thing.

“Yeah, we built that and got a winning culture back at FSU,” added Cantu. “And we’re here to stay, and we’re here to win.”

Heading into this spring, getting that winning culture back was priority No. 1 for Link Jarrett, since Florida State experienced a brutal 2023 season, finishing eight games below .500 on the year as they didn’t even sniff NCAA Tournament contention. But with additions like Cantu and growth from guys already there, FSU was able to spark a massive turnaround this season.

“We weren’t a part of last year’s team, but hearing what went on last year, we definitely wanted to come in and make a difference and help this team win,” added Cantu.

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