Former Phillies manager Joe Girardi reportedly offered college job

Former Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi may soon have another coaching job, albeit at the collegiate level.

According to Mark Feinsand and Juan Toribio of MLB.com, the University of Central Florida has offered Girardi their vacant head coaching position. Feinsand adds that Girardi “has not made a decision yet as to whether he will accept the job.”

Just over a year ago, the Phillies fired Girardi after a 22-29 start, replacing him with his long-time right-hand man Rob Thomson, who helped guide the team to a World Series appearance. Girardi hasn’t spoken publicly about the success that the Phillies had after dismissing him, but he did say last August that he hoped to manage again.

“Every job that you take is a learning experience, and you learn a lot about things that you need to do, things about yourself, things about different relationships with people,” Girardi said in an appearance on 670 The Score. “And I think you learn a lot. I look at my time in Philadelphia as, you know, it was very enjoyable and I was blessed to have another opportunity. And if I get another opportunity, I’m definitely really going to consider it. Because I do want to manage again.

“But for now, I’m fine with broadcasting. It’s something I’ve enjoyed in between my stints. If I don’t get another managing opportunity, I am fine with broadcasting, because I really love it. The great thing about it is I prepare a lot of the time in a very similar fashion, but I don’t have to worry about the wins and losses. I don’t have to answer for those. And that’s not such a bad thing when you go through struggles.”

Girardi — who resides in Florida but is from Illinois — joined Marquee Sports Network as a color commentator for their coverage of the Chicago Cubs late last summer.

After managing the Florida Marlins, New York Yankees and Phillies, it’s unclear if the 58-year-old would be intrigued enough by a collegiate job to take on recruiting an all that comes with being a coach at that level. But despite having 1,120 wins and the 2009 World Series on his resume, this may be Girardi’s only path if he hopes to continue coaching.

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