UNH- How Far West Do We Go?

[TheGrouchyCat]

UNH is general is declining. Where's the accountability? Oh that's right, the purpose of UNH is to furnish you with a good hockey team.

As you know, Potroast, large organizations which are struggling often have a division or two that out perform. While only a % of the balance sheet and EBITDA, they are often the only highlight of a moribund organization's Financials.

So, yes. Accountability matters in the athletic department, but that assumes it also has competent leadership.

It doesn't.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Lol, it wasn't me!

Of course it wasn't, I would recognize you pretty quickly, mon ami.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Is Andy Jones from Bentley making more than MS7? Doubtful. Offer him $230,000 so you save a few dollars, use the extra bucks to cater a Thank You event for all of the old Friends of Hockey group and hand them funds to establish a new group. To sweeten the Jones deal financially and incentivize him to kick ass and put more asses in the seats, offer him a % % % of the increased ticket revenue (the REAL attendance figures, not the fans disguised as seats numbers) to supplement his salary. Win more, seat more, make more. Even if he moves on 5 years down the road after turning the program around, you are STILL in a better position than Fluffer's Eeyore depression scenario.

Fluffers idea - UNH Hockey - Sponsored by Rexulti - Is your hockey team making you depressed? Put on a brave face, with Rexulti!!

The "HC Andy Jones to UNH" bandwagon is picking up steam. I do expect, however, that someone who's got a professional CV that includes at least one (and possibly/probably two by the end of this weekend) trips to the NCAA's is gonna be able to demand at least $300K, and will expect to be able to utilize all 3 paid assistant coaches' slots immediately, as an absolute baseline. Even if no one else in HEA is looking right now, that's not necessarily gonna be the same a year from now, and there will be other suitors. Jones himself may be biding his time to see if former boss Norm Bazin's job might open up in the near future??

I'd feel a whole lot better about UNH's chances on this front if we had more than a souped-up compliance officer running the department, but we don't ...

 

[HockeyRef]

Looked into this a bit more. I wonder if something happened off the ice, as it mentioned “after a full review of program performance on and off the ice”… I wonder if there was some misbehavior of some sort that also led to this.

I imagine more will come out on this over the next week or two. I agree though it is wild - they made it to the QUARTERFINALS for the NCAAs just this year!

If/when we ever make it back there, I think we would all be happy handing out 3-5 year contract extensions without a second thought.

I think it all depends on how he does next season. And I don't think it's a great feat to make it to the qtrs...but don't tell Merrimack that! Personally? He could finish last
and UNH will extend him anyway. I know others feel this way as well. This whole argument about him is getting pretty stale. Same stuff. Wash, rinse, repeat. UNH athletics
has never been very 'forward thinking'...that a new coach could make a huge difference. It's pretty obvious isn't it?

Sigh...well, I renewed my seasons tickets at least, so there's 2 of us that didn't turn their backs on the program.

 

[FlagUp17]

The "HC Andy Jones to UNH" bandwagon is picking up steam. I do expect, however, that someone who's got a professional CV that includes at least one (and possibly/probably two by the end of this weekend) trips to the NCAA's is gonna be able to demand at least $300K, and will expect to be able to utilize all 3 paid assistant coaches' slots immediately, as an absolute baseline. Even if no one else in HEA is looking right now, that's not necessarily gonna be the same a year from now, and there will be other suitors. Jones himself may be biding his time to see if former boss Norm Bazin's job might open up in the near future??

I'd feel a whole lot better about UNH's chances on this front if we had more than a souped-up compliance officer running the department, but we don't ...

This x10000. I would not be surprised in the slightest if, should Bazin continue to slide next year (when his contract expires) that UML pivots him to an admin/early retirement job (he will be 56, but he’s certainly made good enough money to retire) and they swoop in and grab his former assistant Jones. This is what good team/programs do when they notice the wheels starting to fall off. They nip it in the butt WAY before it becomes a gangrenous infection…

What he has done at Bentley makes me feel he could be another Barr/Carvel. It would add to a new wave of great coaches in HEA (parallel to Umile, Parker, Walsh, York, etc. ~30 years ago)

UML has probably also seen what UNH did to Borek, and how he has come back to haunt his old school with his new team in the same conference. UML likely wants to try and avoid that…

 

[norbert]

This x10000. I would not be surprised in the slightest if, should Bazin continue to slide next year (when his contract expires) that UML pivots him to an admin/early retirement job (he will be 56, but he’s certainly made good enough money to retire) and they swoop in and grab his former assistant Jones. This is what good team/programs do when they notice the wheels starting to fall off. They nip it in the butt WAY before it becomes a gangrenous infection…

What he has done at Bentley makes me feel he could be another Barr/Carvel. It would add to a new wave of great coaches in HEA (parallel to Umile, Parker, Walsh, York, etc. ~30 years ago)

UML has probably also seen what UNH did to Borek, and how he has come back to haunt his old school with his new team in the same conference. UML likely wants to try and avoid that…

Based on the 2024 Bentley 990 he is not on the list of top paid staff like Borek is at MC. So he’s probably under $200k based on the salaries listed on the filing.

 

[freak]

Hilary Witt is on a little less than half his wage, fwiw.
Would bite your hand off to make that switch and reboot the UNH women's program; but as you say, the resources just wouldn't be there.

Counting her 8 years at Yale, she only has 5 seasons of .500 or better out of 20.

 

[Whalers]

There’s the typical New Hampshire level of financial acumen and creativity! It’s pretty clear now why Whalers lives with his parents at age 50 and delivers pizzas part time.

Tomorrow Whalers will post that UNH should offer $225k and save $15k! And add a half price hot dog night next January to help with ticket sales!

Spoken like a true robotic bureaucrat, ie fantasy land. What is the salary, do I get a pension at some point, how many weeks vacation. Yes, that is so motivating, especially when implementing a turnaround.

In the real world, and athletics, there is a thing called competition. Beat the next guy, take his account/trophy, put the dough in your pocket +portfolio + 401k and buy your 2nd (or 3rd) home. What I set out would compensate Jones at a higher salary than his current, incentivize him to a much higher salary for continued improvement, additional future opportunities as UNH coach or elsewhere, AND bring back a group of previously loyal supporters into the fold. Sounds motivating to me.

Me thinks the only supporter you are interested in is the one MS7 has on, sniff sniff. Actually, I envision you as Tucker (ie Norm) from Something About Mary. A total fraud. Hey Fluffer, put your pizza hat back on and drive over a large cheese. Will let you know which house to bring it to.

 

[Robert Balin]

Read earlier today that Minnesota women’s hockey HC is moving on from Brad Frost after 19 seasons leading the program (including 4 NCAA championships). The program did tail off a bit the last couple of years. But they still made the NCAA quarterfinals, and won 20+ games every year of his tenure outside of the COVID shortened 2020-2021, including an insanely perfect 41-0 in 2012-2013. He finishes with a record of 556-131-43.

Talk about demanding excellence. If Minnesota can move on from a coach with that resume, what does it say about UNH holding on to a coach with only ONE winning season under his belt?

I wonder if Frost will get interest to coach on the mens side. He is probably priced out at UNH, but he clearly knows how to coach, even with I imagine ubiquitous resources at Minnesota.

Brad Frost out as Gophers women’s hockey coach

The University of Minnesota has dismissed women’s hockey coach Brad Frost after 19 seasons, citing a full review of the program’s performance.

kstp.com

Looks like Bob Motzko is out as men's head coach at Minnesota after 8 seasons. Maine's coach Ben Barr who's from Minnesota is on their short list.

 

[Potluck]

In the real world, and athletics, there is a thing called competition. Beat the next guy, take his account/trophy, put the dough in your pocket +portfolio + 401k and buy your 2nd (or 3rd) home.

It's pretty clear you've never been in any type of successful private business. Not even close. Private industry would appoint a group to do a complete breakdown of the program, determine why it's no longer competitive, make recommendations with costs to the CEO, who would accept partially, in total or reject the recommendations with approval of the Board.

UNH is not private. State owned and operated organizations are political. Your per seat proposal is LOL dumb. The key is not revenue. It's all about getting political types involved to agree that UNH needs to be better supported. The key is to have a person or two get the ear of the politicians who can work with Board of Trustees to better fund hockey. Money becomes available in state agencies or organizations such as UNH when politicians decide to make it available. That's why lobbyists exist. Ever notice the lobbyists are often ex pols and almost never MBAs? Yet they still move as much money in this country as wall street bankers.

I'm truly amazed that you, TheDumbCat, Emily the Flunky, Buford, and Elwood have been spending decades following UNH hockey without understanding what UNH actually is. You support a school you don't understand.

Revenue means close to nothing. How else can you explain the existence of 1AA football? It's the singles biggest financial boondoggle that exists is American collegiate sports. I mean it. Do your research. It's impossible for UNH football to be anything other than a massive financial loss. Yet it continues to survive. Why?

 

[Dan]

Looks like Bob Motzko is out as men's head coach at Minnesota after 8 seasons. Maine's coach Ben Barr who's from Minnesota is on their short list.

I think Barr would take the job. From the outside looking in, he seems especially ambitious. What a position for Maine. They either retain a great coach, or they hire another from a place of much improved strength/finances/facilities relative to the last time they searched. I envy that.

Garrett Raboin (Augustana) would also be a great candidate, and one for the ME fans to root for...

 

[FlagUp17]

Looks like Bob Motzko is out as men's head coach at Minnesota after 8 seasons. Maine's coach Ben Barr who's from Minnesota is on their short list.

Oh man… full clean house of hockey in a matter of a day. I really understated this earlier. Minnesota truly DEMANDS excellence.

Looking into this a bit more. Motzko had one bad year this year going 11-22-3. This is after a 25-11-4 in 24/25, and 23-11-5 in 23/24. They’ve made the NCAAs every year (excluding COVID year) going back to 2018-2019. He finished with a record of 172-104-24. I think we would all be DANCING IN THE STREET for a run like that…


Also, the coach is still under contract until 2027-2028, and the school will have to pay a 750K termination fee. Could you ever see UNH doing that?!


Could you imagine if Barr left to go back home? Would certainly shake up the HEA world, and a lot of Mainers would be very VERY upset I presume. I imagine the Minnesota job would pay a lot more than Maine.

Who knows, maybe UNH can poach some guys who aren’t a fan of the new coach. They will likely have MANY suitors, but a guy can dream… I wonder if any NH natives on their roster? Can always go with that angle.

Gophers part ways with men's hockey coach Bob Motzko

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are moving on from men's hockey coach Bob Motzko after eight seasons.

kstp.com

 

[HockeyRef]

I think Barr would take the job. From the outside looking in, he seems especially ambitious. What a position for Maine. They either retain a great coach, or they hire another from a place of much improved strength/finances/facilities relative to the last time they searched. I envy that.

Garrett Raboin (Augustana) would also be a great candidate, and one for the ME fans to root for...

He's locked in til 2028? Does that matter?

 

[TheGrouchyCat]

It's pretty clear you've never been in any type of successful private business. Not even close. Private industry would appoint a group to do a complete breakdown of the program, determine why it's no longer competitive, make recommendations with costs to the CEO, who would accept partially, in total or reject the recommendations with approval of the Board.

UNH is not private. State owned and operated organizations are political. Your per seat proposal is LOL dumb. The key is not revenue. It's all about getting political types involved to agree that UNH needs to be better supported. The key is to have a person or two get the ear of the politicians who can work with Board of Trustees to better fund hockey. Money becomes available in state agencies or organizations such as UNH when politicians decide to make it available. That's why lobbyists exist. Ever notice the lobbyists are often ex pols and almost never MBAs? Yet they still move as much money in this country as wall street bankers.

I'm truly amazed that you, TheDumbCat, Emily the Flunky, Buford, and Elwood have been spending decades following UNH hockey without understanding what UNH actually is. You support a school you don't understand.

Revenue means close to nothing. How else can you explain the existence of 1AA football? It's the singles biggest financial boondoggle that exists is American collegiate sports. I mean it. Do your research. It's impossible for UNH football to be anything other than a massive financial loss. Yet it continues to survive. Why?

Potroast, I agree with much of what you have to say on this post, especially the financial boondoggle that is UNH football.

Said for years UNH should have followed BU's lead and eliminated the football program. Then Blue Skies wanted to build a totem to cement his legacy and pushed upgrade/build the "stadium''.

 

[TheGrouchyCat]

He's locked in til 2028? Does that matter?

Most contracts have escape clauses

 

[Robert Balin]

He's locked in til 2028? Does that matter?

1. The Buyout Provision

• Liquidated Damages: NCAA contracts usually specify a "buyout" amount—a set sum of money the coach owes the university if they break the contract early.
• Calculation: This amount is often calculated based on the remaining years of the contract. It might be a lump sum or a percentage of the remaining base salary for those four years.
• Payment Source: Frequently, the new school interested in hiring the coach will pay the buyout as part of the hiring package, or the coach will pay it using part of their new contract's signing bonus.
  Oklahoma Bar Association +4

2. Negotiation and Legal Counsel

• Negotiation: The two universities, the coach, and their agent will negotiate the final buyout figure. The initial amount in the contract might be high, but schools often settle on a lower, mutually agreed-upon sum.
• Offset Clauses: In some cases, if the coach immediately gets a new high-paying job, the previous school may be entitled to an "offset," reducing the amount they are owed because the coach is mitigating their damages by finding new income.
  Reddit +3

3. Contract Termination and Release

• Mutual Separation: Once the buyout is agreed upon and paid, the university and coach sign a "separation agreement" or release of all claims, officially ending the partnership.
• Exceptions: Occasionally, a contract may have specific clauses allowing a coach to leave for a professional team (NHL) or a higher-tier university without a high penalty, but this is rare in standard contracts.
  
  
  greenberglawoffice.com +2

In summary, the coach cannot simply walk away without penalty; it is a financial settlement negotiated by legal counsel, with the new team usually covering the cost to release the coach from the remaining four years.

 

[Dan]

He's locked in til 2028? Does that matter?

If he's Minnesota's top candidate? I'd doubt it. If its close, maybe.

Garrett Raboin has done a great job starting the program at Augustana. He's a candidate. If the Gophers want to swing big Pat Ferschweiler (WMU) is also a Minnesota native...

Let's hope they steer clear of any BIG assistants who might be candidates for a certain HE program down the line...

 

[Chuck Murray]

Looks like Bob Motzko is out as men's head coach at Minnesota after 8 seasons. Maine's coach Ben Barr who's from Minnesota is on their short list.

Nervous times now for hockey fans in the Downeast. I can't even imagine Barr refusing Minnesota if he's offered that job. That's the pinnacle of D-1 hockey.

And suddenly, the potential path of "Andy Jones to UNH" is ready to be gazumped by UMaine, just like when UNH clung to MS7 and let Barr go to Orono ...

... but then Motzko could also be a candidate for UMaine this year, or UNH next year (lol that would bust the Titletown budget for sure, so highly unlikely).

 

[Whalers]

Oh man… full clean house of hockey in a matter of a day. I really understated this earlier. Minnesota truly DEMANDS excellence.

Looking into this a bit more. Motzko had one bad year this year going 11-22-3. This is after a 25-11-4 in 24/25, and 23-11-5 in 23/24. They’ve made the NCAAs every year (excluding COVID year) going back to 2018-2019. He finished with a record of 172-104-24. I think we would all be DANCING IN THE STREET for a run like that…


Also, the coach is still under contract until 2027-2028, and the school will have to pay a 750K termination fee. Could you ever see UNH doing that?!


Could you imagine if Barr left to go back home? Would certainly shake up the HEA world, and a lot of Mainers would be very VERY upset I presume. I imagine the Minnesota job would pay a lot more than Maine.

Who knows, maybe UNH can poach some guys who aren’t a fan of the new coach. They will likely have MANY suitors, but a guy can dream… I wonder if any NH natives on their roster? Can always go with that angle.

Gophers part ways with men's hockey coach Bob Motzko

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are moving on from men's hockey coach Bob Motzko after eight seasons.

kstp.com

I can just see it now. MS7 holding Rich's feet to the fire - "Give me a lifetime contract, or I am going to Maine." Worked for Uncle Mario.

 

[cavbim]

If he's Minnesota's top candidate? I'd doubt it. If its close, maybe.

Garrett Raboin has done a great job starting the program at Augustana. He's a candidate. If the Gophers want to swing big Pat Ferschweiler (WMU) is also a Minnesota native...

Let's hope they steer clear of any BIG assistants who might be candidates for a certain HE program down the line...

Did you see Yale has begun their national search. Interim in running. Here is names from Yale fan blog

https://x.com/yale_hockeyblog/status/2034344931922231640?s=61&t=MR8UAqhVZs0qmkhcFhysuw

You can also look at buccigross’s xvaccount he’s tweeted on this too