Emotional VU coach: 'I was caught way off guard'

The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame has two new members after former Predators broadcaster Terry Crisp and current Vanderbilt baseball coach Tim Corbin were surprised with announcements of their inductions.

Corbin has a career record of 748-356-1 and he’s led Vanderbilt to four College World Series appearances, winning national titles in 2014 and 2019, and four SEC championships.

Before Corbin’s tenure, Vanderbilt only made three appearances in the NCAA tournament but has since made 15 appearances in 18 seasons, including 14 straight. He was also the 2019 National Coach of the Year.

“I don’t even know what to say,” an emotional Corbin said. “I was caught way off guard. Thank you. The ability to be here for a long period of time has everything to do with that and being surrounded by a lot of good people and being at a university where it is meaningful to have kids that are centered and mature, doing special things away from the field. We’ve been thrown into a great place.”

Crisp played 10 seasons in the NHL with stops in Boston, St. Louis, New York (Islander) and Philadelphia. He won two Stanley Cups as a player with the Flyers from 1973-1975 and another as head coach of the Calgary Flames in 1989. He had a 286-267-69 career record as a head coach.

He served as a hockey analyst along with Pete Weber on Fox Sports Tennessee television broadcasts during Nashville Predators games, providing unique hockey insight and explaining the game to a non-traditional market. He is also a regular guest on ESPN 102.5 the Game as a hockey analyst during the NHL season.

“The surprise was huge, but I feel really honored,” Crisp said during a broadcast on Fox Sports Tennessee. “Pete (Weber) and I got together 21 years ago, we’ve had a wonderful ride, this I never expected. It is an honor and a privilege to go in with coach Tim Corbin and Jeff Fisher of the Titans. I’m very humble but very proud. I want to thank the Predators organization for being the vehicle to make this all happen.”