What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

As much as he likely enjoys working with the athletes at UNH, I am positive that McCloskey would not care to return to his position under the present Athletic Administration after the way he has been treated and how this has all unfolded. I certainly hope he is considering a wrongful dismissal suit, going after lost wages and the financial fulfillment of his contract. Either way, you would think the University would want to get past this 'bad press' and rectify/clean-up the situation ASAP but that doesn't seem to be the case.
 
Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

If the same administration was to be there, you might be right StickBoy, but what if the size of the settlement awakens the Trustees.....and the alternative is that the real cause of this fiasco is released along with the University saving a whole lotta cash.....then what? I have no idea what his intentions are but given the way that this has been handled, nothing is beyond belief....I can guarantee you one thing though, given Brian's return, we wouldn't lose more than half the team!! Probably the player at the root of the incident would be gone though.....
 
Last edited:
Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

Scott said:
Hey, I think that I just may attend this UNH Alumni event, just to hear the "guest speaker" ;):

http://unh.imodules.com/controls/em...e=1&puid=96671b41-9df2-4647-b742-f6981d85dc72

Who's with me? ;)
Click to expand...

I'm an alum, silent until now on this thread....but it's killing me to watch my alma mater run our team into chaos if not oblivion. I'd love to be there but can't. I'd encourage all other alums to get there if you can and press this man hard on his plans for the program.
 
D2D said:
But unfortunately for him, today he was rejected by the players:
http://www.startribune.com/local/255553011.html
Click to expand...

Probably more a show of support for "old" head coach - probably soon to be new associate head coach. Hopefully they will resolve difficult situation.

My point posting that example was to demonstrate the situation UNH is possibly in. Given the situation, it wouldn't shock me to see Wood named as interim head coach - probably best way to deal with uncertainty.
 
Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

Would love to be there and see the show but to be honest, we'd better have a solution to this quagmire by May 8, for Christ's sake!! And it would be nice if the players would be consulted as they were told they would be come interviews and decisions....
 
Last edited:
Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

My thought now is that they're going to offer the HC position internally. Two very good and successful D1 coaches I know got the form email letter from HR at UNH stating the position is being filled (these two had longer resumes than current staff, too). It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
 
Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

ExHockeyguy said:
My thought now is that they're going to offer the HC position internally. Two very good and successful D1 coaches I know got the form email letter from HR at UNH stating the position is being filled (these two had longer resumes than current staff, too). It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Click to expand...


Would make sense given that the job was up on the NCAA website for what seemed like just a few days and was up on the UNH website for just 10 days which is the minimum amount of time that they are required to have jobs posted for.
 
Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

The good news is that candidates are on campus and the process is moving forward. I have no doubt they are looking at qualified candidates and may have some additional options to review. This needs to be completed before the weekend of May 2nd. The players and their peers that are affected need to have stability before they buckle down for finals prep the following week.

There’s been a lot of talk in hockey circles since the frozen four and even with other qualified candidates in the mix the consensus is that they should move forward with Wood. He’s getting endorsements from the most influential/respected coaches as well as Players/Olympians who feel that he can replicate the MN model for attracting and developing talent and creating a strong positive culture within the program and with boosters. Their perspective is straightforward and makes sense. Wood is known as one of the best recruiters in college hockey because of his ties across NA and his credibility with HS/Academy coaches and families. He’s committed to player development and understands that this is a day in / day out commitment that accelerates the teams’ effectiveness. He plays an aggressive offensive style that is exciting for players/recruits and especially for the fans which is crucial to building the fan base. He’s a positive male role model that the girls’ desire in their leadership with a consistent commitment to accountability with his players as well as himself. He’s a tireless worker who understands all of the facets of the program on and off the ice. The belief is that the issues that have plagued this program over the years just won’t surface again.

I have been an ongoing supporter of the current staff (Wood and Jones) and after all of these recent discussions it just seems very straightforward now. The consensus is that they will identify other strong candidates but not anyone “better” prepared to move the program forward. The view is that a totally new staff will cause a reset in the program. Hiring Wood HC and Jones would stabilize incoming recruits (good classes) and with control they could immediately begin the cultural transformation before the players leave campus. The other ancillary facts that coaches pointed out may be just as compelling to the program as a whole. He is engrained in the local hockey community and his wife is a key contributor in the community through work and volunteerism. And maybe just as important, the off-ice legal issues with the former coach are likely to surface again soon and he is in the best position to insulate the players/team from those distractions. The push should be for a competitive team in the mix when hosting the NCAA’s in 2016 and Wood provides the highest probability of success in that regards. Of course, all of these hard/soft attributes are also attractive to the other five programs looking for head coaches’ right now and I would assume both Wood and Jones will be pursued.

This is what I am hearing and the rationale makes sense. Whatever the coaching decision, UNH is a fabulous place for student athletes and this will become a warm/inviting program that will attract great kids and great players. It’s a terrific destination where players are challenged academically and surrounded by a unique mix of students, faculty, and local supporters. The faculty supports the student athletes without academic compromise and there is a unique bond/respect across the entire student population. And finally, the location is ideal and centric to so many activities. Where else can you practice on a Sat. morning and be surfing, hiking, kayaking, Red Sox game, other in the afternoon.
Go CATS!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: D2D
puckskillz said:
The push should be for a competitive team in the mix when hosting the NCAA’s in 2016 and Wood provides the highest probability of success in that regards.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that informative post.

I know that you aren't saying that UNH will be in the mix in 2016, only that it would be ideal to keep sight of the home-ice FF. That goal may be a tad ambitious for a new regime, though, and IMO it would be an unfair expectation to place upon a new coach. UNH currently trails at least four Hockey East programs in talent. While it is hard to say what Vermont will look like in two years in the aftermath of Pelkey and Zuback, BC will still be loaded, Northeastern will have Coyne, and BU will have Lefort. Given the Wildcats will start next season with a roster without anyone who has ever won a postseason game in college, it may be better to expect smaller positive steps at first.
 
Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

Yea, yea ARM...picky, picky. Not saying you're wrong just being picky. :)
 
zoofer said:
Yea, yea ARM...picky, picky. Not saying you're wrong just being picky. :)
Click to expand...
Yeah, I know. It's just important for fans to remember going in that this isn't the roster of six years ago, and Hockey East has come a long way in that time.
 
Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

zoofer said:
And it would be nice if the players would be consulted as they were told they would be come interviews and decisions....
Click to expand...

Consulted on the hiring of a coach ?.....I'd be surprised if a school, any school would do that. Usually hirings are announced, and the staff (in this case the players), are informed, and potentially asked for a reaction on the hire, rather than being consulted about a specific candidate during the hiring process.

Leads me to the general question...Has that been done before.....Players being consulted about potential candidates during the hiring process ?
 
Last edited:
Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

OnMAA said:
Consulted on the hiring of a coach ?.....I'd be surprised if a school, any school would do that. Usually hirings are announced, and the staff (in this case the players), are informed, and potentially asked for a reaction on the hire, rather than being consulted about a specific candidate during the hiring process.

Leads me to the general question...Has that been done before.....Players being consulted about potential candidates during the hiring process ?
Click to expand...

I've heard on occasion of a team member, usually a captain, being part of the search committee...but I'd say it's probably not a general practice, and even in those instances it may be more for the appearance of transparency and keeping the team involved/informed than for actually getting feedback or opinion from the team members
 
Re: 2014 UNH Wildcats: Ending Strong and Starting Fresh

OnMAA said:
Consulted on the hiring of a coach ?.....I'd be surprised if a school, any school would do that. Usually hirings are announced, and the staff (in this case the players), are informed, and potentially asked for a reaction on the hire, rather than being consulted about a specific candidate during the hiring process.

Leads me to the general question...Has that been done before.....Players being consulted about potential candidates during the hiring process ?
Click to expand...

Amherst administration consulted their players after Plumer left. Many of them gave the thumbs up to Tracy Johnson before she was hired. That didn' go so well if I remember correctly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top