PITTSBURGH — Reds general manager Jim Bowden has said that manager Bob Boone will be back next year. But whether Boone's coaching staff returns is uncertain.

        Boone would only say, “We'll wait until after the year.”

        Boone was allowed to hire only one coach when he was named manager. He brought inTim Foli, his good friend who also coached under Boone at Kansas City.

        The only coach under contract for next year is pitching coach Don Gullett.

        Boone is so involved with every phase of the game that some of the coaches have few duties beyond throwing batting practice and hitting fungos.

        “I don't think everyone on the staff is involved enough,” Ron Oester said. “I'm the third-base coach. That's all I do.”

        Oester said he didn't even find out until spring training that he was going to be the third-base coach.

        Boone's style is completely different than former manager Jack McKeon's.

        “Jack designated authority,” Oester said. “I was in charge of infield position, defense on bunt plays ... I had a lot of responsibility.”

        Hitting coach Ken Griffey Sr., who like Oester was a candidate for the manager's job, expressed similar concerns. Boone and Foli also work with hitters.

        “I try to do my job as hitting coach ... that's all I'm going to say,” Griffey said. “I'd like to sit down with Jim (Bowden) after the season. Some things could be done better.”

        Both Griffey and Oester held open the possibility of returning.

        “I love this organization,” Oester said. “I'll probably be in baseball in some way — coaching or the minor leagues — or I might take pension and coach my younger son (Josh).”

        Said Griffey: “I'll wait and see if they want me back. I'd like to keep working with my son (Ken Jr.)”

        The contracts of bullpen coach Tom Hume and first-base coach Bill Doran are up as well.

        “I'm just trying to get through this year,” Doran said.

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