Harvard 2022-23: What's Up?

[Timothy A]

So the Stonester gets a free get out of jail card that allows her to be somewhat hirable vs just getting flat out fired, which would make her un-hirable. This way she admits nothing and pretends it never happened. At least she's out. That was a must.

So who might the candidates be to replace her? MN and OSU seem to have revolving doors with assistants, so looking for someone from there is not likely. The UW assistants have been there for a long time, but I don't know if either wants to uproot their families and head east. Both would be viable options. Maybe Crowell heads back east, she might be the best choice as far as my western bias goes. Her or Muzzy.

[Trillium]

For now. To fire the AD on the heels of Stone's exit would be the acknowledgement of dysfunction and scandal that Stone's “retirement” statement is designed to avoid, and so would be a PR gaff worthy of McDermott herself. A seemly interval has to pass before she gets her “Onward and Outward” email. Meanwhile her punishment will be to live on borrowed time. Should other heads roll? Yes, but we should live so long.

Great point. But who leads finding the right new coach? Can't be anyone now associated with the dysfunction that is Harvard Athletics.

[hab]

I have no direct experience with the Harvard program. As someone who had a daughter on an opposing team I was well aware of Stone's unique coaching style. But because I was not close to the program I have tried to stay out of this messy situation. By I do want to say that I am impressed at how various folks who have had a history of intelligent commentary on the Harvard program, in this forum, have come forward to help the University work its way through this. They didn't need to do that....their daughters, friends etc, have move on, but they came forward for the sake of the program.

[Skate79]

How about asking the program's first coach, Joe Bertagna, to take the reins as interim head coach for 2023-2024? Uniquely experienced at starting a Harvard women's hockey program from scratch.....

And wondering how many, if any, of the players who dropped out but are still eligible will be interested in rejoining the team

Great idea. I would love to see Joey come in and restore order. I was a senior when he started the Harvard program and we've seen each other at various times during hockey games where HE came to Harvard. Or the other way around.

[Skate79]

So the Stonester gets a free get out of jail card that allows her to be somewhat hirable vs just getting flat out fired, which would make her un-hirable. This way she admits nothing and pretends it never happened. At least she's out. That was a must.

So who might the candidates be to replace her? MN and OSU seem to have revolving doors with assistants, so looking for someone from there is not likely. The UW assistants have been there for a long time, but I don't know if either wants to uproot their families and head east. Both would be viable options. Maybe Crowell heads back east, she might be the best choice as far as my western bias goes. Her or Muzzy.

Well she may be 'hireable' but not within college hockey circles. Perhaps one of the donors that backed her through all of this will find her suitable employment. I just can't see a hockey program or women's professional team seeking her out for a head coaching gig. Not after what's transpired.

[hawkhockey]

Kerstin Matthews, former associate coach at BU , should be on the short list.
Great coach, recruiter and mentor . Almost forgot , a good person.
IMO , should have been chosen as Head of BU buT they went w an alumna .

[shelfit]

I have no direct experience with the Harvard program. As someone who had a daughter on an opposing team I was well aware of Stone's unique coaching style. But because I was not close to the program I have tried to stay out of this messy situation. By I do want to say that I am impressed at how various folks who have had a history of intelligent commentary on the Harvard program, in this forum, have come forward to help the University work its way through this. They didn't need to do that....their daughters, friends etc, have move on, but they came forward for the sake of the program.

Nothing unique about her coaching style. She didn't invent shortening the bench to try to win. I see it in girls' hockey all the time even at the very young age groups, mostly dumb male coaches that think a win is a positive reflection on themselves personally so their fragile egos rule the day at the expense of developing players for the next season and next age level and that's because the truth is they don't really know how to develop players so they play the best ones most often to try to win instead. It's a widespread problem, youth coaches that don't know how to develop players.

[Skate79]

Kerstin Matthews, former associate coach at BU , should be on the short list.
Great coach, recruiter and mentor . Almost forgot , a good person.
IMO , should have been chosen as Head of BU buT they went w an alumna .

I just read her bio. .742 winning % at St. Anselm College. She looks like an excellent choice. Hope Harvard gives her an interview. Actually, I hope they hire her.

[Prowler]

Nothing unique about her coaching style. She didn't invent shortening the bench to try to win. I see it in girls' hockey all the time even at the very young age groups, mostly dumb male coaches that think a win is a positive reflection on themselves personally so their fragile egos rule the day at the expense of developing players for the next season and next age level and that's because the truth is they don't really know how to develop players so they play the best ones most often to try to win instead. It's a widespread problem, youth coaches that don't know how to develop players.

"Shortening the bench" is at the very bottom of her faults if it even registers at all...

[shelfit]

"Shortening the bench" is at the very bottom of her faults if it even registers at all...

I was simply addressing her "unique coaching style," not her evidently long list of faults. I was keeping the two categories of who she is very separate. The culture she created and seems to have maintained over her 3 decades is shocking to read about. If any of my teammates had urged me to participate in the annual naked skate because it's a tradition for rookies I would have told them to shove it and I would have called our coaches. If my coaches had supported the naked skate I would have gone to the AD and maybe higher. If those people had supported the naked skate I would have been shocked and I would have started looking for a school to transfer to right away. I also would have informed my parents right away too. Fortunately I didn't go to Harvard so I never had to feel like my veteran teammates and coaches were complete a**holes.

[Scott_TG]

I just read her bio. .742 winning % at St. Anselm College. She looks like an excellent choice. Hope Harvard gives her an interview. Actually, I hope they hire her.

I was surprised BU brought her back only to pass over her for a more inexperienced HC when Durocher retired. I remember reading she was the BU club HC when they transitioned to varsity back in the day and was an assistant for them before going to St. A's. Age descrimination?

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[Skate79]

I was surprised BU brought her back only to pass over her for a more inexperienced HC when Durocher retired. I remember reading she was the BU club HC when they transitioned to varsity back in the day and was an assistant for them before going to St. A's. Age descrimination?

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In the Coaching Changes thread on this board, the press release sent to Harvard Alumna and supporters detailing Coach Stone's retirement also lists the email address for the Associate AD. For anyone who wants to nominate someone for Harvard to interview for the position. I decided to write to him and put Kerstin Matthew's name in the ring for HC. He wrote me today saying that he has heard good things about her. They are in the research phase of putting together a list of names. I hope she's on it.

[Scott_TG]

Funny to think that as awful as Stone was she may not have even been the most corrupt person on campus

https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/06/14...ers-indictment

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[Skate79]

Funny to think that as awful as Stone was she may not have even been the most corrupt person on campus

https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/06/14...ers-indictment

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Technically, the Med School is not 'on campus'. But I get your point. Disgusting on so many levels.

[thirdtime's . . .]

The AD’s press release of June 6 would have you believe that she has done nothing over the course of months to prepare for the contingency of Stone’s departure. I believe her.
I also believe her when she says she wants alums to help her out, so caught by surprise as she was. So, I’ve heard of this Mites guy in Watertown, who knows this Peewees guy in Gloucester . . . or is it the Squirts guy in Billerica? Gimme a call.

It’s all beyond embarrassing. Meanwhile the women’s program continues rudderless.