UNH Hockey 2023 Off Season Thread Turn and Face the Strange

[Chuck Murray]

I believe that, like faculty, coaches are exempt employees usually under contract through collective bargaining agreements at public universities, which I think would make it extremely difficult to mandate a cut in pay without an institutional financial exigency or something like that. But, my larger question is what would be the point of a contract extension, regardless of salary, given eight years of demonstrated utter incompetency?

I still say Darius was trolling me/us. Maybe he's waiting for Dan and/or 'Watcher to heap scorn and ridicule upon his "something just popped into my head" hare-brained scheme?? Y'know, maybe for a change of pace or something???

[Darius]

I still say Darius was trolling me/us. Maybe he's waiting for Dan and/or 'Watcher to heap scorn and ridicule upon his "something just popped into my head" hare-brained scheme?? Y'know, maybe for a change of pace or something???

Nope. Just a legit random thought. Maybe AD Rich would like to trim the budget with a new hire, but the right person isn't available so, "We're paying you $240K. Last season that equated to $22K per win. If we were a minimally acceptable 500 team you'd be making $13K per win so..."

I was just curious if NCAA coaches ever received pay cuts. Snively may have already answered for UNH and a quick web search reveals that it happened to football coaches in 2020 although many were or will likely be reimbursed.

[NCAA watcher]

Something that popped into my head the other day, maybe Dan or 'watcher have a thought: Would AD Rich offer an extension with a pay cut?

I'd hope AD Rich is smart enough to see the marginal revenue from a good program is in the 100 thousands. Giving up that additional revenue just to save $20,000 doesn't move the needle. If you simply want to reduce salary, and hope, wish, and dream on doing better and getting revenues, you don't have to stick with the proven guy, you can find another hungry lower-tier candidate willing to take a chance for the same amount. At least that kid would have a clean slate and not be burdened with the W/L/T reputation MS7 has earned.

I mean, the beauty of switching horses in 2024 is there's no way to get worse.

(Remember, I said there was no way Marty, as a lame duck out the door in 2021, would give MS7 a two-year extension. That's why I only spout off on the internet, and don't bet money.)

[Chuck Murray]

In the real world:

* If you're not doing your job up to your employer's expectations, you usually get fired - or offered a chance to resign.

* If someone threatens to cut your pay but wants to keep you on, if you have any self-respect, you find another job.

MAYBE if you're the HC of the UNH Archery Team (or pick another non-revenue sport?), and the AD wants to cut your pay AND extend you (so the newly-hired revenue sport HC can be paid within the existing budget), and there is no overwhelming supply of Archery HC jobs in your neck of the woods, you swallow hard and accept it.

UNH retaining an underperforming HC of its top revenue producing Athletics program AND adding term makes no sense, as any "savings" on the extension will be exponentially lost in further decreased revenue on the back end.

MS7 agreeing to stick around longer for less pay just oozes abject desperation on his part, and still ends in him getting fired UNLESS he agrees to stay on and accept even less the next time around.

Question: how long do you think Belichick sticks around in Foxboro if Kraft cuts his pay by (fill-in-the-blank)%?

[Chuck Murray]

(Remember, I said there was no way Marty, as a lame duck out the door in 2021, would give MS7 a two-year extension. That's why I only spout off on the internet, and don't bet money.)

All truthful prognosticators have had an epic fail or two. Yours can be forgiven for the illogical nature of BS' final act.

[Whalers]

Sorry to sound like a broken record, but an easy solution. Submit a redacted/blind Case Study of "a sports teams" recent performance vs the competition to the Paul BUSINESS School and ask for their feedback on what needs to be done. With all of their worldly experience, business knowledge, exposure to sports, etc, even a 2nd semester freshmen, who finished at the bottom of the Paul Business School class could easily figure things out. Heck, I bet you if you took the same Case Study to people at the Paul Creative Arts Center, they could figure it as well. What excuse does someone smart enough to work at Princeton have?

[Snively65]

Yes, good summary, thanks, Ref.

But, what is the connection between MS7 and KD (i.e., how is KD a mentor to MS7 as stated in later posts)?

Like Whalers, I am another broken record as I am still trying to figure out from two days ago how KD apparently became MS7’s mentor. Through summer hockey camps? Penpals? Facebook friends? I cannot find any overlaps in their hockey history as players, coaches, or scouts. What am I missing?

[Chuck Murray]

Like Whalers, I am another broken record as I am still trying to figure out from two days ago how KD apparently became MS7’s mentor. Through summer hockey camps? Penpals? Facebook friends? I cannot find any overlaps in their hockey history as players, coaches, or scouts. What am I missing?

Since Captain Turtleneck retired, Dean was designated to take the heat for MS7's hire to allow for Umile's dotage.

[lindah]

Glenn Stewart and Kevin Dean were teammates at UNH and that may be the link. MS7 may have connected with KD through Mike's friend Butch Cassidy as well.

[Whalers]

Glenn Stewart and Kevin Dean were teammates at UNH

Only teammates for one year in 90-91. So if they bonded during that season, then obviously Dean didnt buy into Umile's mantra - freshmen are seen but not heard, or given a lot of ice time, or responsibilities. Unless your name is Haydar (even he was only seeing 3&4 line time until Dec) or JVR. We need to have senior grinders who have put in their dues on the 4th line to show you the ropes and win those all important December Championships (banners hanging proudly next to the new sound system).

[Chuck Murray]

Is Kevin Dean related to Dean Dean perhaps?

[HockeyRef]

Glenn Stewart and Kevin Dean were teammates at UNH and that may be the link. MS7 may have connected with KD through Mike's friend Butch Cassidy as well.

Speaking of Butch saw Souza Dean with him and the Stanley Cup today...online of course.

[Snively65]

Only teammates for one year in 90-91. So if they bonded during that season, then obviously Dean didnt buy into Umile's mantra - freshmen are seen but not heard, or given a lot of ice time, or responsibilities. Unless your name is Haydar (even he was only seeing 3&4 line time until Dec) or JVR. We need to have senior grinders who have put in their dues on the 4th line to show you the ropes and win those all important December Championships (banners hanging proudly next to the new sound system).

Are you saying that senior Kevin Dean (was he Captain?) lobbied Umile to give frosh ice time (Stewart, 29 games, 4 goals, 15 points; Jason Dexter, 28 games, 3 goals, 8 points; Rob Donovan, 22 games, 3 goals, 7 points; Bob Chebator, 33 games, 4 goals, 6 points)? Interesting to me, the 1990/91 team had 13 NHL draft picks, but five of them played only 18 games total amongst them, three seniors and two juniors. Trivia quiz: only one player on that team other than Kevin Dean (drafted #86 overall by Devils in 1987; 331 NHL games, 14th most for UNH alums) played more than 20 NHL games. “Who am I.” Bonus question: What NHL team drafted him?

[Chuck Murray]

Are you saying that senior Kevin Dean (was he Captain?) lobbied Umile to give frosh ice time (Stewart, 29 games, 4 goals, 15 points; Jason Dexter, 28 games, 3 goals, 8 points; Rob Donovan, 22 games, 3 goals, 7 points; Bob Chebator, 33 games, 4 goals, 6 points)? Interesting to me, the 1990/91 team had 13 NHL draft picks, but five of them played only 18 games total amongst them, three seniors and two juniors.

Trivia quiz: only one player on that team other than Kevin Dean (drafted #86 overall by Devils in 1987; 331 NHL games, 14th most for UNH alums) played more than 20 NHL games. “Who am I.” Bonus question: What NHL team drafted him?

That would be "Who is Chris Winnes, drafted by the B's?" Snives.

I'll take "Forgotten UNH Players Who Logged Huge Bus Miles in the AHL" next for $400 ...

[Snively65]

That would be "Who is Chris Winnes, drafted by the B's?" Snives.

I'll take "Forgotten UNH Players Who Logged Huge Bus Miles in the AHL" next for $400 ...

Yes! Chris Winnes was NHL draft pick #161 in 1987 by the Bruins, and scored 1 goal and 7 points in his 2+ seasons and 33 games in the NHL, 29th in NHL games played by UNH alums, behind Mike Sislo at 42 games and ahead of Paul Thompson at 24 games.

Lots!! One of our most successful UNH alums who logged all those bus miles in the AHL was aforementioned Darren Haydar (NHL draft pick #248 by the Predators in 1999), who ranks #31 of our alums with NHL games played at 23 (1 goal, 8 points, 2 pen minutes, over 3 seasons).

The limited number of UNH alums with NHL games played may be testament to how much our teams have still accomplished in NCAA hockey going back 51 seasons with Jaime Hislop’s arrival from Sarnia, Ontario, for the 972/73 season (#3 in points scored at UNH behind Jason Krog and Darren Haydar, #13 in NHL games played by UNH alums at 345; but if add to that 206 games played in the WHA puts him in 7th between Brett Pesce and Trevor van Riemsdyk).