Sports

UGA Slugger’s Mismatched Cleats Raise NIL Questions After Coach Goes Nuclear To Deliver Cryptic Message

#Georgia Bulldogs
by
Tre Phelps / Georgia Bulldogs

© Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images


The Georgia baseball season is underway with the Bulldogs looking to make a return trip to the NCAA Tournament. Despite getting off to a 6-1 start, head coach Wes Johnson appeared unhappy over the weekend.

Johnson erupted on media to deliver a cryptic message during a recent postgame interview. Was it related to infielder Tre Phelps’ cleats?

The Dawgs hosted Samford in their second series of the year and earned an easy sweep. Georgia outscored its opponent 45-5 across three matchups.

After Game 2, Johnson cut his media session short with reporters. Rather than answer questions, he put an unknown critic in his crosshairs.

“People have got to understand that at the University of Georgia, we challenge our players to do hard things, really hard things,” he said. “And when people want to — and so when we challenge them to do hard things, that’s what we want.

“We want players who, when they show up, they’re not hunting a 12-month payday. They’re hunting a path for a 12-year career.

“So, if we’re going to go out and people are going to be incompetent and lazy and all this and take whatever they read on social media at face value and talk about the dogs, then we don’t want them around our program or our players. Are we good? Y’all have a great day.”

Who was the Georgia baseball coach talking about?

That remains unclear. Some viewed it as a shot at the fans and media. Others believed he was sending a message to his team. He attempted to clarify a bit after Game 3. It did little to provide answers.

“Yesterday, that was nothing against our players, coaches, or anybody associated with the Georgia baseball program,” Johnson said.

“I love our players. They sell out for me every single day, as well as my coaches and administration… That’s the only comment I’m going to make on that.”

Johnson said his initial remarks were not directed at players. That would lead us to believe an outside narrative being pushed by the fanbase or media is the reasoning behind the outburst.

Many quickly brought Tre Phelps’ name into the conversation. Does he value an NIL bag over the team?

Tre Phelps wore different colored cleats.

On Friday, they were Carolina blue. On Saturday, they were orange. The brand is Marucci, an apparel company that’s partnered with Phelps this season.

As seen in the photos above, the brand makes a splash with eye-catching colors that pop. Those bright colors, however, do not align with the Georgia baseball scheme.

That angered many fans.

Big time Tre Phelps fan here but we cannot be wearing orange shoes and orange sleeves in a Georgia Bulldog uniform.

–Glory UGA Podcast / X

That takes us back to Wes Johnson’s comments. In his rant, he referenced a “12-month payday” vs. a “12-year career.” That would certainly hint at potential NIL frustrations. He also alluded to things being earned and not given.

It does not explain, though, where the head coach was directing his anger.

Is he mad at Tre Phelps over his deal with Marucci? Does he prefer the infielder wear team branded Nike gear that matches the color scheme?

Or is he angry with fans and media for their fake outrage over shoe color?

I still do not completely know, but I lean towards the latter. Whatever the case, the Bulldogs responded with a 22-0 win in Sunday’s series finale.

Tre Phelps went 2-2 to run his hitting streak to seven games this year. He’s batting .522 with three homers and 12 runs scored.