Re: We Cannot Have Nice Things: Michigan Tech 2010-2011 Season Thread: Part Tre
I guess with some justification, everyone points at Jamie when it comes to W's and L's, however with the number of man games lost to injury, MacInnes couldn't coach this time to a 0.500 record. I think it is chicken and the egg when it comes to a coach and talent. Does great talent make the coach look good or does a good coach make better players want to join the team?
Just look at the number of talented NHL level players that came through the doors during the MacInnes era. Now we would have a hard time putting together one line of NHL level players from the last decade combined. Sutton and Scott have been at least solid NHL regulars on the line and Wilson has had a sniff. Putting Teslak in net is a serious stretch (or back up even farther to Rhodes) and up front you are looking at Durno, Conner and one-year wonder Ruutu. Now put those Tech teams up against others in the WCHA who in come cases have multiple NHL top draft picks playing on the same line.
You can have the greatest coach in the world, but if your talent level isn't on par with other teams you're playing, there is only so much a coach can get out of them. Don't fool yourself into thinking that the other coaches are coasting. They are trying to the get the most out of their players too, but they are starting with a little more raw talent.
It sucks to keep having this debate and keep laying the lack of wins at Russel's feet. As a started, I do agree that ultimately the head coach is the guy in charge, but let's not fool ourselves into thinking that simply because we spend $2M on a coach, suddenly Houghton again becomes the center of the D-I hockey world.
Ryan J
I guess with some justification, everyone points at Jamie when it comes to W's and L's, however with the number of man games lost to injury, MacInnes couldn't coach this time to a 0.500 record. I think it is chicken and the egg when it comes to a coach and talent. Does great talent make the coach look good or does a good coach make better players want to join the team?
Just look at the number of talented NHL level players that came through the doors during the MacInnes era. Now we would have a hard time putting together one line of NHL level players from the last decade combined. Sutton and Scott have been at least solid NHL regulars on the line and Wilson has had a sniff. Putting Teslak in net is a serious stretch (or back up even farther to Rhodes) and up front you are looking at Durno, Conner and one-year wonder Ruutu. Now put those Tech teams up against others in the WCHA who in come cases have multiple NHL top draft picks playing on the same line.
You can have the greatest coach in the world, but if your talent level isn't on par with other teams you're playing, there is only so much a coach can get out of them. Don't fool yourself into thinking that the other coaches are coasting. They are trying to the get the most out of their players too, but they are starting with a little more raw talent.
It sucks to keep having this debate and keep laying the lack of wins at Russel's feet. As a started, I do agree that ultimately the head coach is the guy in charge, but let's not fool ourselves into thinking that simply because we spend $2M on a coach, suddenly Houghton again becomes the center of the D-I hockey world.
Ryan J
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