Love it. He was the behind the scenes orchestrator of the 2009 team, he also was the head recruiter that brought in the likes of Shattenkirk, Wilson, Bonino, etc. His position was to be in charge of defense, and they progressively got better and better over the five years he was there, culminating in them being an all-world defensive corps in 08-09. The drop off in defensive performance after he left following that season has been remarkably noticeable. Not to mention he now has ties throughout the NHL and coaching experience both in the A and in the NHL. Definitely the right move.
Hard to say really whether this move makes sense. He'd be difficult to turn down I guess, but on the other hand, does UConn want a 60 year old head coach who might well be here for only a couple of seasons? Would he be satisfied being the 4th or 5th most popular sport on campus and struggling to build the program after coming form Denver? It could work but I can foresee some issues as well. Historically, UConn has tended to go with young up and coming guys, when they've hired coaches. The one time they didn't, well Pasqualoni isn't exactly lighting any fires. My hunch is that in his heart of hearts, Manuel wants to give the job to Beranrd. He sort of fits the UConn profile as a guy who will over time put his stamp on the program, like Calhoun, to a degree maybe Ollie, Edsall built the football program. Gwoz will always be Denver, even if he's coaching UConn. But on the other hand if he seriously had an interest, I'm not sure how you'd say no. 2national championships, 6 consecutive tournament appearances, 11 in 19 years. Pretty tough to turn that down unless you were damned confident in Berard.
Yeah Sullivan was one of the candidates, but has never coached the college game, and hasn't even been involved in anything at the collegiate level since he left BU in the early '90s.
Agree. If he has an interest you'd have to give him a serious look. Even if he doesn't, I think you'd have to contact him and ask.
I don't know that that's the case. I don't think they ever expected a guy of his stature to be available really. But here's the thing about college hockey...there is not a ton of movement. It isn't like basketball where there are a bunch of openings at every level and people are always moving up, down or out. Seems like BU had their guy lined up before Jack Parker even made his announcement. Supposedly BC has their replacement lined up for whenever York decides to hang it up which might not be ever! And its not like there are many levels, either. So unlike football or basketball, the head coach at Quinnipiac isn't going to have lots of opportunities to move up to to a bigger name program, partly because there aren't many and partly because coaches don't leave, even if they have the occasional bad year. If the head coach of Quinny's hoop team miraculously got a team to the final four, or even the Sweet 16, he'd almost assuredly get offers from much bigger programs. All of that is a complicated way of saying that this is likely a long term choice. At least 5 and probably closer to 10 years. They will be looking for someone who will grow the program and who is willing to be in it for the long term, recognizing that there will likely be more downs than ups for the first few seaosns in Hockey East.
FS, great point, I'm sure we can get into a debate on the reasons for that lack of movement, but at its core is the lack of big money like bball and fball, but I wonder if that will change in the future as college hockey seems like the next sport that could move from its niche following into the limelight with the BIG 10 sure to push hcokey on its network and the new NCHC contract. Part of me hopes college hockey stays a niche sport. The NHL tried that mainstream thing and we all now how well that worked. Granted, far more people I know watched the college hockey this past weekend and I don't think it was just because of QU and Yale being from CT. Guy in my office from UVA said he watched and I asked how he found it. He said ESPNU is programed into his favorites and he was surprised how much he liked it. Visibility at work.
Barefoot and uphill both ways.
And they don't schedule weddings or funerals during the fall.
