UConn's Next Hockey Coach just free up? National power DU fires coach

[freescooter]

Getting back to the original post, though, I agree that hiring a big name coach would give the program a jolt. But I think they could get an equal benefit buy announcing a plan to expand/upgrade/replace Freitas and hire a younger coach. I'm not against hiring Gwoz by any means. He's a terrific coach. And if he's interested they need to have a conversation. Even if he isn't they need to have a conversation and find out what it would take to get him interested.

 

[upstater]

I know. I certainly went over-the-top on gear. My point is, I don't think many people want to watch baseball and feel like they're in an icebox when there are games to go to in the summer and feel much more comfortable. Baseball is a summer game. It doesn't feel right in 45 degrees in March.

When I was at Boston U., I used to leave class and go sit in the Fenway bleachers for free during games. Granted, it was only for 3 innings, because that's the time when they used to open up the gates and let anyone walk off the street without paying, but that's when I most fell in love with baseball. Nothing like watching a Red Sox game at Fenway after a Calculus class, drinking beer in the sunshine in early April. We used to do this practically every single day.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Getting back to the original post, though, I agree that hiring a big name coach would give the program a jolt. But I think they could get an equal benefit buy announcing a plan to expand/upgrade/replace Freitas and hire a younger coach. I'm not against hiring Gwoz by any means. He's a terrific coach. And if he's interested they need to have a conversation. Even if he isn't they need to have a conversation and find out what it would take to get him interested.

So is Berard the guy then? The team was better in the second half than the first, so he did the job. He's got the connections locally. He went to Bishop Hendricken, might help recruiting there. I assume he is not related to Bryan Berard right?

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

Getting back to the original post, though, I agree that hiring a big name coach would give the program a jolt. But I think they could get an equal benefit buy announcing a plan to expand/upgrade/replace Freitas and hire a younger coach. I'm not against hiring Gwoz by any means. He's a terrific coach. And if he's interested they need to have a conversation. Even if he isn't they need to have a conversation and find out what it would take to get him interested.

A meaningful facilities upgrade plan would be another help. The problem I'd see in hiring an assistant from the previous coaching staff would be, even if he did well this season, it's a sign that you're just staying with what you've done for the past 20 years, which hasn't worked. Yes, there's the bit about no scholarships, etc., but from a competitive standpoint, when there's a national championship winning coach (presuming he's interested) interviewing for your position, you'd better have a damn good reason not to hire him. As a relatively uninformed outsider, if they chose Berard over Gwoz, I'd see that as a terrible move. And recruits likely would ask the same question, why would you choose the assistant of an unsuccessful period of time in your history over a guy who's less than 10 years removed from winning two consecutive national titles?

 

[HuskyHawk]

A meaningful facilities upgrade plan would be another help. The problem I'd see in hiring an assistant from the previous coaching staff would be, even if he did well this season, it's a sign that you're just staying with what you've done for the past 20 years, which hasn't worked. Yes, there's the bit about no scholarships, etc., but from a competitive standpoint, when there's a national championship winning coach (presuming he's interested) interviewing for your position, you'd better have a damn good reason not to hire him. As a relatively uninformed outsider, if they chose Berard over Gwoz, I'd see that as a terrible move. And recruits likely would ask the same question, why would you choose the assistant of an unsuccessful period of time in your history over a guy who's less than 10 years removed from winning two consecutive national titles?

I they went for Gwoz, is there any reason to think Berard couldn't stay on as an assistant?

 

[Whale22]

So is Berard the guy then? The team was better in the second half than the first, so he did the job. He's got the connections locally. He went to Bishop Hendricken, might help recruiting there. I assume he is not related to Bryan Berard right?

No top D1 college players are recruited out of HS anymore. As far as minor league coaches, similar to football and bball they need connections to the recruiting world so rules most of them out.

 

[huskymedic]

I think they were always planning to open up a national search at the end of the year once Marshall left, regardless of the performance of Berard in the interim. Berard's great performance this year just put his name a little higher on the list, AFAIC.

I think UConn would be foolish not to consider Gwozdecky if he's actually interested in the job. Whether that means they hire him is a different story, but he merits a serious look-see. One thing in UConn's favor re: Gwoz's interest is that there are few openings this year in D-I (other than DU's, which is not a job he can get for obvious reasons, and UConn's, there's only Anchorage and possibly Maine* open at the moment), and I can't believe after the way he was ousted he doesn't want to at least stay at this level, if not make a run upwards (and he's got the resume to at least pull an pro assistantship or a minor league head gig).

*And we would know the exact moment when that happens, for we be able to hear the seismic screams of joy down here in Connecticut if Whitehead is formally canned.

Hmmm...

MikeMcMahonCHN 1:11pm via TweetDeck
Source: Maine will announce at 4pm press conference that Tim Whitehead is out as head coach at Maine.

goalmouthradio 1:14pm via Web
If Whitehead is out at Maine, that makes things more interesting for UConn search. Now not the only available HEA job.

 

[freescooter]

A meaningful facilities upgrade plan would be another help. The problem I'd see in hiring an assistant from the previous coaching staff would be, even if he did well this season, it's a sign that you're just staying with what you've done for the past 20 years, which hasn't worked. Yes, there's the bit about no scholarships, etc., but from a competitive standpoint, when there's a national championship winning coach (presuming he's interested) interviewing for your position, you'd better have a damn good reason not to hire him. As a relatively uninformed outsider, if they chose Berard over Gwoz, I'd see that as a terrible move. And recruits likely would ask the same question, why would you choose the assistant of an unsuccessful period of time in your history over a guy who's less than 10 years removed from winning two consecutive national titles?

I agree with you that if Gwoz wanted the job they'd be foolish not to give it to him, but I'm less than convinced that he would want it for all the reasons already discussed. As for the rest of your argument, if not Gwoz, who are they going to get? Most likely an assistant from a higher profile program or a real retread. Not sure even a startup program like UConn would want Timmay nor would they want Toot Cahoon and while you could argue that Berard is just another assistant, if you look at his background he comes from a Hockey East program, and was recruiting coordinator for Providence AND he has now shown some ability to actually do the job as a head coach. Again, if its Gwoz or Berard, its an easy choice. But if Gwoz is out of the equation, unless you can land another successful current head coach,(Bennett has been mentioned occasionally and I'd take him too) I'm not sure Berard isn't as good at least on paper as the assistants at UNH or Vermont. And while I'm not sure it is completely comparable, Pecknold coached in the Atlantic Hockey league before he took Quinnipiac to the ECAC. He has done ok. And UMass apparently offered Pearl from Holy Cross before Michelletto.

 

[huskymedic]

\ And UMass apparently offered Pearl from Holy Cross before Michelletto.

... and Pecknold before that.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

*And we would know the exact moment when that happens, for we be able to hear the seismic screams of joy down here in Connecticut if Whitehead is formally canned.

Cue seismic screams of joy.

Good news, it seems at this point, Maine isn't interested in talking to Gwoz.

Re: UMass job, they offered just about everyone but Carl Spackler the job before they got someone to take it.

 

[huskymedic]

Cue seismic screams of joy.

Good news, it seems at this point, Maine isn't interested in talking to Gwoz.

Re: UMass job, they offered just about everyone but Carl Spackler the job before they got someone to take it.

MikeMcMahonCHN1:55pm via TweetDeck
Source: "Maine wants to talk to an NHL assistant, USHL head coach and AHL head coach, in that order. All have ties to Maine"

MikeMcMahonCHN1:56pm via TweetDeck
Translation: "Maine wants to talk to Greg Cronin, Jim Montgomery and Scott Pellerin."

MikeMcMahonCHN1:58pm via TweetDeck
I'm sure they'd like to talk to George Gwozdecky now, too.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

Yeah, I posted before finishing reading Mike's tweets. Something tells me he won't end up there, but I'm sure they'll look at him. I'd put money on Cronin or Montgomery. Montgomery is the one that Maine fans have been clamoring for for years.

 

[huskymedic]

It's not right but one side of me would love for UConn to announce their choice for new hockey coach tomorrow afternoon

Ride the Yale/QU wave... Saturday night will be all about CT hockey, the pr about the upgrade would be awesome.

Ok - evil thoughts have subsided,

 

[Adios]

Anyone want to go to Pittsburgh?

 

[huskymedic]

Go B1G...

RustyMillerAP11:16am via TweetDeck
Mark Osiecki will not return as head coach of #OhioState's men’s hockey program, AD Gene Smith says. #Buckeyes

 

[freescooter]

My guess is that Gwozdecky lands in Columbus. By the way, that was 2 periods of terrififc hockey Saturday night. the 3rd, not so much. I thought Pecknold panicked. I also though he looked incredibly stressed and it influenced his team. They felt the pressure.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

My guess is that Gwozdecky lands in Columbus. By the way, that was 2 periods of terrififc hockey Saturday night. the 3rd, not so much. I thought Pecknold panicked. I also though he looked incredibly stressed and it influenced his team. They felt the pressure.

Yeah, I'd expect Gwoz to end up there, apparently he was interested in the job when it opened up a few years back.

I think that late 2nd goal rattled QU and then that uber softy let up by Hartzell in the early third was a backbreaker. Those late period goals kill you, and then when your goalie lets in something that soft it just kills you mentally. Props to Yale, they played a great game and Malcolm put on one hell of a performance against four of the best teams in the nation all through the tournament. Frankly, QU's run of Canisius, Union, St. Cloud, and Yale would've been the most BS title path ever.

 

[freescooter]

Yeah, I'd expect Gwoz to end up there, apparently he was interested in the job when it opened up a few years back.

I think that late 2nd goal rattled QU and then that uber softy let up by Hartzell in the early third was a backbreaker. Those late period goals kill you, and then when your goalie lets in something that soft it just kills you mentally. Props to Yale, they played a great game and Malcolm put on one hell of a performance against four of the best teams in the nation all through the tournament. Frankly, QU's run of Canisius, Union, St. Cloud, and Yale would've been the most BS title path ever.

Agree. But I think Pecknold looked rattled from the minute he entered the arena and sometimes teams feel that if the coach is feeling less than confident. But you're right that the first goal really rattled them and I don't think they ever got it back. I guess pulling the goalie that early to go 5-4 was fine. But I thought it flet like a total panic move. If it doesn't work, as it didn't, turn out the lights, warm up the bus and head out. On the other hand, Yale's run of Minney, NoDak, Lowell and Quinipiac is nothing to complain about. Beat 3 #1 seeds.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

Oh, Yale's path was extraordinary, to say the least. They ran through the top three teams in the country, and North Dakota.

Pecknold's decision to pull the goalie down 3 with 7:00+ and not on a PP was absurd. With Yale's puck possession ability, they weren't going to be held out of the offensive zone for more than 60 seconds. Three goals in 7 minutes is not at all unheard of, and QU has an explosive offense. That was a remarkably stupid decision. I'd agree with him looking rattled and making some knee-jerk decisions, such as that one.

The same thing happened with Bazin and Lowell on Thursday against Yale. That was one of the most epic chokejobs I've seen in recent years. Lowell had the best defense in the nation all season, and they came out Thursday and looked like they had no clue what to do. Lowell got a grand total of three shots in the 3rd and OT combined, utterly abysmal. I'm not sure whether that was the players' nerves, or just bad gameplanning by the coaching staff. Probably a bit of both, but either scenario falls on the coaches for not properly preparing their guys mentally and/or strategically. Naturally, some Lowell fans blamed officiating.

 

[upstater]

Oh, Yale's path was extraordinary, to say the least. They ran through the top three teams in the country, and North Dakota.

Pecknold's decision to pull the goalie down 3 with 7:00+ and not on a PP was absurd. With Yale's puck possession ability, they weren't going to be held out of the offensive zone for more than 60 seconds. Three goals in 7 minutes is not at all unheard of, and QU has an explosive offense. That was a remarkably stupid decision. I'd agree with him looking rattled and making some knee-jerk decisions, such as that one.

The same thing happened with Bazin and Lowell on Thursday against Yale. That was one of the most epic chokejobs I've seen in recent years. Lowell had the best defense in the nation all season, and they came out Thursday and looked like they had no clue what to do. Lowell got a grand total of three shots in the 3rd and OT combined, utterly abysmal. I'm not sure whether that was the players' nerves, or just bad gameplanning by the coaching staff. Probably a bit of both, but either scenario falls on the coaches for not properly preparing their guys mentally and/or strategically. Naturally, some Lowell fans blamed officiating.

Yale just simply looked faster than anyone. You could see it on a 3 on 2 break where the Yale kid carrying the puck into the zone simply skated around the defender and scored.

 

[freescooter]

I didn't see the Lowell-Yale game, but one thing I noticed is that they seemed to have guys who could make Samuels-Thomas a non-factor. Malcolm helped of course, but St Cloud for example, who just didn't seem able to contain him, Yale never let him get free. He skated over around and through the St Cloud guys. He never seemed able to do that against Yale. Part of it was speed, but they were also much more physical, something I hadn't seen from them earlier in the season.

For what its worth, the only reason I don't kill Pecknold totally for pulling Hartzell in that situation is that I think he was getting outplayed badly and he needed to try something to change the flow. If he didn't he wasn't going to win anyway. I wouldn't have done it and I thought it felt like a panic move at the time, and in a way I guess it was. But I guess you could make the case that Quinny's only hope was to panic a little bit.

 

[huskymedic]

I didn't see the Lowell-Yale game, but one thing I noticed is that they seemed to have guys who could make Samuels-Thomas a non-factor. Malcolm helped of course, but St Cloud for example, who just didn't seem able to contain him, Yale never let him get free. He skated over around and through the St Cloud guys. He never seemed able to do that against Yale. Part of it was speed, but they were also much more physical, something I hadn't seen from them earlier in the season.

As ND women now know... tough to beat a team a fourth time in same season. Familarity...

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

Yale just simply looked faster than anyone. You could see it on a 3 on 2 break where the Yale kid carrying the puck into the zone simply skated around the defender and scored.

Yale did look faster, but Lowell looked uncharacteristically slow, and made some absolutely stupid defensive plays. The kid got around the Lowell defender on the OT goal because he made the most obvious mistake in the book of going for the poke way too early and getting caught flat-footed and out of position, allowing the defender to easily skate around him. That's just not having your head in the game and making a rookie mistake.

 

[huskymedic]

Will Moran (@goalmouthradio)
4/16/13, 8:25 PM
Comments from Gwozdecky regarding UConn coaching job. Has not spoken with UConn AD. http://blogs.denverpost.com/college...openings-at-ohio-state-maine-and-uconn/27082/

Gwozdecky might explore openings at Ohio State, Maine and UConn

"Gwozdecky, who has another year left on his contract at DU, has not spoken to athletic directors or others affiliated with Ohio State, Maine or Connecticut, each with head hockey-coaching vacancies, but he admitted all three jobs are very attractive. Osiecki was ousted Monday after compiling a 46-50-16 record in three years for the Buckeyes, who are moving to the Big Ten Hockey Conference next season. Tim Whitehead was released from Maine after 12 years. And UConn, which has seemingly not been as interested in hockey as its basketball teams, is moving to Hockey East on the heels of a 19-14-4 season (14-10-3 Atlantic Hockey Association). The Huskies have field at team since 1960 but have won 20 games just twice, and not since 1998-99. “When UConn does things it’s in a full, complete way, and that could be a good up-and-coming program, a great addition to Hockey East,” Gwozdecky said"

Make the call WM... Have to at least have a chat.

 

[freescooter]

I agree that Manuel has to contact Gwoz. But I'm not sure that there's news here really. A respected coach is fired and he expresses interest in the 3 D1 jobs that are open. Not exactly a man bites dog story there. I do like his comments on UConn though.