2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

[whoop87]

Re: ... Starting Fresh or Status Quo?

Re: ... Starting Fresh or Status Quo?

I have attended the banquets the last 7 years for both men's and women's hockey. AD Marty Scarano has been to every one on the men's side - I don't recall ever seeing him at the women's banquet. Deputy AD Steve Metcalf usually attends the women's banquet, but not always. I have been to the women's banquet in years past when there was no representative from the AD's office. I'm guessing that either Marty or Steve may have been with the women's gymnastics team at the NCAA Regional at Penn State which was held late in the afternoon on Saturday.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

Alright, so here is the latest info, which comes from a highly credible source whose information on other recent developments with the program has been spot on.

* UNH has extended an offer to a high profile coach. The job offer was declined.
* UNH is poised to announce a proverbial "national search" shortly to fill the position.
* In the meantime, a high profile returning player has committed to transfer to another HE program.
* Other "returning" players are advancing their plans to play elsewhere next season.

Wish I had better news to report ... ... silver lining, I guess at least the *process* is finally umderway.

 

[zoofer]

Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

Not that you need me to keep you honest Chuck, I've heard exactly the same thing....when other girls have transferred from UNH, it was because of their personal desire for more playing time for the most part, that's why I'm so saddened to see and lose some of our returning players, because they are doing so now because UNH has let them down! Given no information, let alone certainty of what the program will become, said players are being practical and judicious with their athletic careers....I'll miss these girls, big time!! Not for their on ice talent but because their great, great kids!! Awesome families that love them and support them, and oh yea, loved being at UNH! I am really po'd at this point....losing these athletes, losing these friends is beyond stupidity!!!

 

[Scott]

Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

Alright, so here is the latest info, which comes from a highly credible source whose information on other recent developments with the program has been spot on.

* UNH has extended an offer to a high profile coach. The job offer was declined.
* UNH is poised to announce a proverbial "national search" shortly to fill the position.
* In the meantime, a high profile returning player has committed to transfer to another HE program.
* Other "returning" players are advancing their plans to play elsewhere next season.

Wish I had better news to report ... ... silver lining, I guess at least the *process* is finally underway.

It's just sad. The cloud of uncertainty that has been festering for nearly five months is forcing people's hands. When was the "search" conducted before "said offer" was extended to "said high-profile" candidate?? Someone....Mark Huddleston, the Board of Trustees....had better be demanding some answers from Scarano soon.

 

[puckskillz]

Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

It's time to elevate Wood to the HC role. They will spend additional time and money and not find a more qualified candidate. He has the hockey intelligence, the rapport with the players, and is engrained in the local community. He has been a positive messenger for the University and the program through this entire season. He has recruited a stellar class and has kept that class together. He's exactly what this program needs and more importantly what these players need. As far as players choosing to leave school, there are a lot of reasons this occurs and it isn't always about hockey. (There were 4 that left last year and those were not all hockey related). There are a lot of things going on in a 20 yr olds' life and sometimes a change in scenery is desired and even warranted and we should respect their need to move on and understand that it is their personal choice. At the end of the day the players who love UNH will stay and they'll share a locker room with players who are equally committed to moving this program forward. There is a big class coming in next year and they all want to be Wildcats. This program will have renewed energy and momentum and they need the coach that recruited them to help them reach their full potential. Having said that, the players have already had fall finals disrupted, don't make the team go through interviews this spring when coach Wood can get everyone situated for a great end of the year.

 

[Scott]

Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

From your mouth (er, computer screen ) to Marty Scarano's ears.

This is what irks me. Instead of trying to provide some modicum of stability, Scarano continues to cast the program in an uncertain light. If his sheer incompetence in the handling of this affair was not apparent to Huddleston and the Board of Trustees early on, it should be crystal clear to them by now.

 

[DC78-82]

Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

It's time to elevate Wood to the HC role. They will spend additional time and money and not find a more qualified candidate. He has the hockey intelligence, the rapport with the players, and is engrained in the local community. He has been a positive messenger for the University and the program through this entire season. He has recruited a stellar class and has kept that class together. He's exactly what this program needs and more importantly what these players need. As far as players choosing to leave school, there are a lot of reasons this occurs and it isn't always about hockey. (There were 4 that left last year and those were not all hockey related). There are a lot of things going on in a 20 yr olds' life and sometimes a change in scenery is desired and even warranted and we should respect their need to move on and understand that it is their personal choice. At the end of the day the players who love UNH will stay and they'll share a locker room with players who are equally committed to moving this program forward. There is a big class coming in next year and they all want to be Wildcats. This program will have renewed energy and momentum and they need the coach that recruited them to help them reach their full potential. Having said that, the players have already had fall finals disrupted, don't make the team go through interviews this spring when coach Wood can get everyone situated for a great end of the year.

I agree, but want to add that Coach Jones is also a part of this, not just as a coach and mentor, but a former standout player at the University of New Hampshire. She loves her job, loves her school, and has the respect of the team. She deserves to be a part of this program's future, and the message it would / will send if she is not, well I don't even have the words.

 

[zoofer]

Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

Received a call from one of the player's parents last night, totally frustrated that NOW we have a "national search" being conducted! As has been written by puckskillz, DC and Scott above, stability is needed, how was an offer made without a national search opened, and as always where is the leadership....

 

[claw]

Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

I agree, but want to add that Coach Jones is also a part of this, not just as a coach and mentor, but a former standout player at the University of New Hampshire. She loves her job, loves her school, and has the respect of the team. She deserves to be a part of this program's future, and the message it would / will send if she is not, well I don't even have the words.

Unfortunate for her, but I think her only shot is if Wood is retained as the HC. I can't see any new incoming HC keeping either of the assistants, even though they are by all accounts very gifted hockey coaches and quality people. It's nothing personal against them, but I think anyone coming in is going to want to wipe the slate clean and start fresh. The great bonds that Wood and Jones have almost certainly forged with the team through an event like this could work against them in the end, because through no fault of their own those bonds could, even unintentionally, lead to some team members looking more towards the AC's for leadership than the HC...and a new HC is not going risk that.

 

[Stick Boy]

Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

Really!!!! Geez, I had hoped by now, for the sake of the wonderful tradition/history forged by this program over the years, that a page could be turned and forward progress established after this past weekend. Truly, what a shame that this has happened to this team and these ladies. The treatment these particular student athletes have been given from the outset is totally unprofessional, unethical, and UNBELIEVABLE!. They have been s--t on every step of the way. It was topped off with an unapologetic, dismissive and rude team meeting with the AD yesterday in which a number of girls walked away disheartened and wanting out!!

This is truly CRAZY! I do not blame any of the ladies for looking or going elsewhere at the present time and have respect for those that choose to stay. I feel bad for Jones and Wood for being placed on the back-burner and over-looked through the selection process and ultimately having to deal with all the crap while staying on the front lines. I do hope for a clearing ahead especially for those that choose to ride it out and stick with it through this tough period...surely there has to be better days on the horizon for this team!

 

[Stick Boy]

Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

By the way, I think you might see the University seek out a female head coach this time through. Just a guess though!

 

[Hux]

By the way, I think you might see the University seek out a female head coach this time through. Just a guess though!

A female AD would be a better place to start the rebuilding process.

 

[hab]

Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

Unfortunate for her, but I think her only shot is if Wood is retained as the HC. I can't see any new incoming HC keeping either of the assistants, even though they are by all accounts very gifted hockey coaches and quality people. It's nothing personal against them, but I think anyone coming in is going to want to wipe the slate clean and start fresh. The great bonds that Wood and Jones have almost certainly forged with the team through an event like this could work against them in the end, because through no fault of their own those bonds could, even unintentionally, lead to some team members looking more towards the AC's for leadership than the HC...and a new HC is not going risk that.

This seems to imply that the new head coach would be either: a) so lacking in self confidence that she/he would not be able to tolerate a situation where the players' respect and attention is shared with experienced assistants; or b) so dictatorial that she/he would insist on having assistants that she/he had personally recruited, regardless of the qualifications of the current ones. Either case would seem to be a bad choice for this program moving forward. I don't know either of the current assistants, but if they are good at their jobs, want to stay, and have the respect of the team, I would think that a new head coach with experience and maturity would do everything possible to keep them on.

 

[DC78-82]

Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

Really!!!! Geez, I had hoped by now, for the sake of the wonderful tradition/history forged by this program over the years, that a page could be turned and forward progress established after this past weekend. Truly, what a shame that this has happened to this team and these ladies. The treatment these particular student athletes have been given from the outset is totally unprofessional, unethical, and UNBELIEVABLE!. They have been s--t on every step of the way. It was topped off with an unapologetic, dismissive and rude team meeting with the AD yesterday in which a number of girls walked away disheartened and wanting out!!

This is truly CRAZY! I do not blame any of the ladies for looking or going elsewhere at the present time and have respect for those that choose to stay. I feel bad for Jones and Wood for being placed on the back-burner and over-looked through the selection process and ultimately having to deal with all the crap while staying on the front lines. I do hope for a clearing ahead especially for those that choose to ride it out and stick with it through this tough period...surely there has to be better days on the horizon for this team!

I would be lying if I said I couldn't picture the student - athletes being treated with disdain, as I too heard they were. We were treated exactly in the same manner when the Friends group met with him. I can't count how many times we heard "the well being of our student-athletes is our main concern, it's our foremost priority...Just words to say.

I truly wish the best for those who have chosen to finish their college careers elsewhere, and as I have said, once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat. Leaving isn't always about running away, sometimes it isa about running toward what is best. I hope that those who remain can build a strong foundation for the program going forward, and whoever is selected to lead this team can restore the pride of playing for UNH, because the way this team has been treated by the administration throughout this process is shameful.

 

[Blackbeard]

Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

With all these comments of players bailing out is UNH going to have a very short bench next season?

 

[DC78-82]

Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

With all these comments of players bailing out is UNH going to have a very short bench next season?

Well, they had a very short bench already...

 

[claw]

Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

This seems to imply that the new head coach would be either: a) so lacking in self confidence that she/he would not be able to tolerate a situation where the players' respect and attention is shared with experienced assistants; or b) so dictatorial that she/he would insist on having assistants that she/he had personally recruited, regardless of the qualifications of the current ones. Either case would seem to be a bad choice for this program moving forward. I don't know either of the current assistants, but if they are good at their jobs, want to stay, and have the respect of the team, I would think that a new head coach with experience and maturity would do everything possible to keep them on.

I appreciate the pie in the sky outlook, but I don't think it's how it works in the real world of college athletics, or several other fields for that matter.

As a new coaching hire, especially coming into a difficult and very damaged situation like this one, you are always going to have to earn the trust of your team members. Trying to do that in an environment where players are attached to assistants who maybe did things in a different way and haven't completely bought into the changes (remember, different does not always mean better OR worse) can cause a lot of unnecessary delays in earning that trust. It's not even that the AC's would not be showing support, but when players think another way was better, and those coaches are still there, they are going to relate more with those coaches and not buy in as they should with the new coaches overall vision of the program.

Especially as a coach coming into a difficult situation you should not be forced to potentially fight that obstacle too. Again, it's not even that the previous assistants would be doing anything actively wrong, it's just one of those human nature things that makes the transition harder.

As a coach, you have to be able to trust your assistants 10000%, and coming into a tough job where there's a lot of pressure to clean things up and succeed and having to do it with people that you maybe don't know or trust as well is difficult. A new coach deserves the opportunity to surround themselves with a staff they know and trust completely. Has zero to do with lack of confidence or any of the other things you mentioned. I understand your loyalty wants the AC's to stay, and under the circumstances, it would be most fair to them for that to happen. But it also has to be most fair to the incoming Head Coach, and I don't think keeping them is the best solution for whoever they bring in. Maybe that person will feel differently, who knows?

JMO.

 

[zoofer]

Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

Can someone at UNH please show me how Scarano still has his job? Is the women's hockey program so small a part of UNH Athletics that decimating a 40 year old program is an acceptable practice for the AD? Where is any leadership in Durham? Seriously......and don't think that this doesn't affect recruiting for the men's team! People see the way the whole athletic department is run....yea, they'll trust their sons/daughters to UNH....in a pig's eye!!

 

[KTDC]

Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

Can someone at UNH please show me how Scarano still has his job? Is the women's hockey program so small a part of UNH Athletics that decimating a 40 year old program is an acceptable practice for the AD? Where is any leadership in Durham? Seriously......and don't think that this doesn't affect recruiting for the men's team! People see the way the whole athletic department is run....yea, they'll trust their sons/daughters to UNH....in a pig's eye!!

Yes, I don't know what's happening over there, but it is very depressing to read this thread from 1500 miles away. There is that other thread going about televising the NCAA Women's frozen four and it's like Women's Hockey can't get the NCAA on the phone. But here it sounds like UNH Women's Hockey can't get their own AD on the phone! In an emergency when they are coach-less no less!

 

[ARM]

As a coach, you have to be able to trust your assistants 10000%, and coming into a tough job where there's a lot of pressure to clean things up and succeed and having to do it with people that you maybe don't know or trust as well is difficult. A new coach deserves the opportunity to surround themselves with a staff they know and trust completely. Has zero to do with lack of confidence or any of the other things you mentioned. I understand your loyalty wants the AC's to stay, and under the circumstances, it would be most fair to them for that to happen. But it also has to be most fair to the incoming Head Coach, and I don't think keeping them is the best solution for whoever they bring in. Maybe that person will feel differently, who knows?

In many sports, it is common for a coach coming in from elsewhere to want to start over with a new staff. That isn't the norm in women's hockey. To some extent, it depends on the experience of the new head coach. If you bring in someone from the men's hockey world, for example, if you dump the whole staff and start from scratch then recruiting starts from square one as well. For that reason if for no other, I don't see it in the best interest of the program to start over with a completely new staff in year one.