Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

[jcarter7669]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

Not only are you wrong, but you're probably ugly too!

Just kidding, in fact this is a great point. I was always of the idea that Parker was stuck in the 70's and 80's mentality of coaches/management having an adversarial relationship with players. It could very well be that he never made that connection, but other circumstances (good assistants, less competition, better recruits) made the difference between then and now.

I would agree with this as well. Parker seems to be the coach that is more adversial as opposed to all in tune with his players. And that can work well when your players respect you and your role in that position. But what happens when kids start getting booted from the team under wierd circumstances? When you just walk into the locker room one day and find your locker is empty with no notification. Then the adversial nature is still their but the respect starts to fade and you are simply left wondering if the coach is a hamburger short of a happy meal. I think that maybe where Parker is, he isn't getting the most out of his players because they don't respect him as much as other teams possibly have. Just a thought

 

[bantam75]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

Took a week long break from USCHO and just read 12 pages in one sitting. That was a bad decision.

I lied, I have a second comment, well question actually. Not taking sides on the should he stay or should he go, but if Quinn and Sullivan are unavailable is anyone out there a step up from Parker? Given that whoever will be coach will have either played or coached at BU.

Since I took the whole season off from the Forum and only chimed in after watching the final debacle vs Northeastern a week ago Sunday, I sometimes wonder why I bother caring so much, but after 45 years, I am still addicted to BU hockey so Agganis, a week off is nothing. I decided to jump into this discussion last Monday more because watching BC return as a #1 seed and be the favorite AGAIN is really hard to take. And some of the reasons for why the program is not operating at that level of achievement we all feel it should be, IMHO, is not due to a lack of talent.

I really don't know anyone on this board, but try to get a perspective based on others' observations and online comments of the program over the past 10-15 years. There are a couple of you that have some 1st hand dealings with the program and with Parker that I don't, but some of my perspectives come through a variety of hockey and coaching circles that I tap into from time-to-time, plus a variety of conversations with other long-time followers. As a result, getting to what the real story is or may be is a function of patching together all these perspectives, anecdotes and observations and see where the overlaps occur.

With that as a prelude, Agganis, you ask a great question about Quinn and SUllivan, and so did Friend_of_BU_Hockey and FL with regard to John Hynes. I did not know that Hynes turned down the position until now, but it is beginning to look like that top assistants are becoming wary of coming to BU because the top ones would only come if they believe that they are being groomed to replace Parker. Since Parker does not want to leave anytime soon, why would a top coaching talent come to BU? Don't you think that is why Quinn came here? To become the next coach?

Put yourself in the shoes of one of these top coaching recruits: Wouldn't you expect them to ask about the future and the prospects to become the next coach? Wouldn't you expect Hynes to check with Quinn on why he left and with other former assistants? It is very troubling to me that Quinn left and now to learn that Hynes turned it down. The college hockey community is a very small community, especially among the coaches. Over the past few years I have been privy to some very open and frank conversations at HE tournaments and NCAA regionals and FFs among mostly former coaches. For instance in 2009 at Bridgeport, one former assistant from the CCHA absolutely ranted about Red Berenson that was both startling and revealing about how the coaches and scouts talk about one another.

It is even more troubling to think that Parker is starting to look like college hockey's version of Joe Paterno. Bavis and Buddy Powers are nice guys and work hard, but are not considered "top" assistants in anyone's book. This whole conversation this past week now leads me to say that BU won't get an assistant before Parker retires who would be a serious candidate to replace JP. I think that if the timing is right and not too far in the future, then Sullivan, Quinn and Hynes would consider the head coaching position. But to think that a serious candidate would come here now and hang out for 4-5 years and not feel they have the inside track for the job is delusional.

Now I will say something that many consider blasphemous: I am rooting for BC to win it all and want to see them play Merrimack in the final game. As much as i hate to admit it, but listening to the WCHA whining this week and hear Barry Melrose (Mr Western hockey Bigot) pick UND the same way he picked Wisco last year and UND in 2006-2008 ... well, my "Hockey East is best" pride has kicked in. I have met York several times and he is a genuinely nice guy and he runs a great program at a school that really does not care that much about hockey - Even the most fanatical BC fan has to admit that. Football and Basketball rule the alumni and athletic program focus. The way they have been winning is hard to hate and despise.

So my FF prediction is Yale (over UMD), Merrimack (over Miami - yeh!!), UND and BC (over Michigan and "Red"). Merrimack will expose Yale and we all know that BC is UND's daddy. We need to keep this Hockey East run going and hope that Parker can figure out another "Burn the Boats" motivational ploy to get next year's team in a position to compete in 2012.

 

[chickod]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

I am rooting for BC to win it all

Very insightful commentary; I used to think that BC winning would give BU more "incentive" (or whatever term you want to use) to regain that "top perch" in Boston, but I think that the circumstances you alluded to are precluding that from happening at the moment...but I do agree that it certainly is prestgious for the league. I suspect Melrose is biased because he's an old NHL guy who likes the goon style that is played out West and is evaluating the games based on how many NHL players are on these rosters. Remember when we won in '09 how he went on and on about the "talent of BU?" (not that he was wrong, but he just likes those kind of players) I'm not he "appreciates" how BC is winning with their style of play which is totally contradictory to what all the teams seem to be doing now in the "underage draft" era.

 

[defkit]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

I absolutely believe that we need to have a transition plan in place for some time into the future. However, from this list, I think we lose a lot more than just "38 years experience" and "a name." Indeed, even assuming losing 38 years experience and is as easily replaced as your flippant post suggests, I don't think anyone can argue legitimately that Parker brings as little to the program as you claim. Fundraising, hockey knowledge, his relationship with Boyle, the list goes on.

Additionally, this claim that "youth" motivates (which is really what 2 of your 4 "likely gains" are) is not necessarily true. Some young guys fail to motivate and lose their team early while other older guys are apparently excellent motivators (York anyone?). And I see a lot of posts here about how Parker is "out of touch" with his players, but it seems to be based on a lot of speculation and no substance.

Further, I don't see where this young, smart, experienced motivator coach is coming from. The names floated around here (Bavis, Quinn, etc.) are not sufficiently experienced. The last two "gains" are essentially he'll do everything Parker does, and then some and I simply don't see that. So tell us who this magical mystery coach so we can begin to at least evaluate him.

There is no question we need to groom a successor for sometime within the next 3-5 years. Replacing Parker now (which is a pointless discussion anyway because it is not happening) would be foolhardy and would hurt the program far more than it would help.

I really get the sense that a lot of posts here recently are overly, and perhaps understandably, reactionary. Maybe my perspective has changed over the years, but I don't remember having such a knee-jerk reaction to a short period of mediocrity after being 2 years out of the ultimate success. Well, except for Ray Handley.

A couple comments to add to those that others have made:
- I do not want Parker out the door now. What I want is for him to announce he will coach one more year, get his successor in as an assistant for the year, and to hand the reigns over for 2012-2013.
- Perhaps it isn't strictly an age thing with Parker. It may be combination of age and style. Bottom line, I don't think he is able to motivate the way he used to.
- I agree I sold Parker short on what value he adds - I was posting with limited time. I do not think he has gone scenile or anything. I am not surprised that he still has a sharp tactical mind for the game. My concern is that I am not seeing it in the results on the ice. How much longer can we go back to 1997 versus Michigan when we want to give an example of Parker really pulling off a big upset in a big game?
- I don't consider 1 FF in 14 years to be reactionary. I am well aware that there was a dry spell in the 80s as well, that we bouunced back from. And sure, BC doing so well makes it harder to bear. But I have defended Parker for many years against the pinheads. I have stuck with the program since my first game against Maine in the fall of 1987. Like bantam75, I am pretty much addicted to BU Hockey. I just don't see success in the future until a change is made.

 

[Rover]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

Two follow up points:

1) Will someone in the DC area alert the real limey that his ID has been hacked and the hacker is posting like Ned Flanders.

2) Regarding potential coaches not named Quinn or Sullivan, I'd take a look at the Merrimac coach if he banks a couple more good seasons or someone similar to that (as in a guy who's taken a program higher than what it ought to be over a sustained period of time).

I worry far, far less over hiring a lesser coach than Parker. Say you do that, and the guy's a bozo. Fire his *** and then hire somebody else. Back in the 90's BC did the same thing, made a couple of bad decisions, but eventually found the right guy. Programs like BU and BC in hockey, much like the Alabama's and Michigan's of the football world, can make a mistake now and then because the program is bigger than one person.

Having said that, I'd really like to see them land Quinn. Sure seemed like the recruiting got back to its heyday when he was here. With replacing Parker, that's the key as its his reputation that you can't replace. All the other things (new rink, good school, Boston location, etc) will still be there and I would expect the motivation of the team to improve as the general consensus seems to be that the team currently isn't getting as much as it could out of the players. I find it hard to believe that could get any worse.

 

[Friend_of_BU_Hockey]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

2) Regarding potential coaches not named Quinn or Sullivan, I'd take a look at the Merrimac coach if he banks a couple more good seasons or someone similar to that (as in a guy who's taken a program higher than what it ought to be over a sustained period of time).

I don't see Dennehy from MC in the mix. He's BC guy, plus I think he may be first in line to replace York. I don't think the coaching pipeline to replace York when the day comes is as deep as BU's pipeline.

 

[J.D.]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

I don't think the coaching pipeline to replace York when the day comes is as deep as BU's pipeline.

This is silly IMO. Both schools will have endless candidates who'd be interested in the job. Guys with BC connections are Mike Cavanagh, Greg Brown, Scott Paluch (didn't work at BG, but who does?), Ron Rolston, Mark Dennehy...not to mention outside candidates who'd be interested.

Edit: forgot Scott Gordon

 

[sterlippo1]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

What the hell does "french kiss the deuce horse face" mean? Is it a movie, television or music reference?

i shouldn't even try to answer for Steve F (aka F Steve) but i think that had something to do with some bad rep he got from someone. i remember it on the thread some months back and even tried to google it to no avail but i'm sure he will clue you in. oh, and steve, i met someone at the game saturday who knows you quite well

 

[WildShawn]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

This is silly IMO. Both schools will have endless candidates who'd be interested in the job. Guys with BC connections are Mike Cavanagh, Greg Brown, Scott Paluch (didn't work at BG, but who does?)

no one EVER works at BG.... and then BC...

 

[J.D.]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

no one EVER works at BG.... and then BC...

Ha, ya, saw that coming. We'll call it the modern day BG...

 

[claver2010]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

I don't see Dennehy from MC in the mix. He's BC guy, plus I think he may be first in line to replace York. I don't think the coaching pipeline to replace York when the day comes is as deep as BU's pipeline.

I think the man to replace York is on BC's bench right now....

 

[Friend_of_BU_Hockey]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

This is silly IMO. Both schools will have endless candidates who'd be interested in the job. Guys with BC connections are Mike Cavanagh, Greg Brown, Scott Paluch (didn't work at BG, but who does?), Ron Rolston, Mark Dennehy...not to mention outside candidates who'd be interested.

Edit: forgot Scott Gordon

I was thinking solely of BC alums in coaching ranks. I'm inclined to believe it would be an one of the important, but not required, qualifications.

 

[bignick33]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

Anything on early departures?

 

[Agganis]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

Regarding potential coaches not named Quinn or Sullivan, I'd take a look at the Merrimac coach if he banks a couple more good seasons or someone similar to that (as in a guy who's taken a program higher than what it ought to be over a sustained period of time).

I worry far, far less over hiring a lesser coach than Parker. Say you do that, and the guy's a bozo. Fire his *** and then hire somebody else. Back in the 90's BC did the same thing, made a couple of bad decisions, but eventually found the right guy. Programs like BU and BC in hockey, much like the Alabama's and Michigan's of the football world, can make a mistake now and then because the program is bigger than one person.

Having said that, I'd really like to see them land Quinn. Sure seemed like the recruiting got back to its heyday when he was here. With replacing Parker, that's the key as its his reputation that you can't replace. All the other things (new rink, good school, Boston location, etc) will still be there and I would expect the motivation of the team to improve as the general consensus seems to be that the team currently isn't getting as much as it could out of the players. I find it hard to believe that could get any worse.

Jack has made it abundantly clear that his successor will be a BU guy, so that significant reduction of the applicant pool is what caused my previous post. Like most Quinn would be my first choice, but if him Sullivan and Hynes fall through it appears Dennehy, Blasi, etc are not options. So what is plan B?

Fair point about being able to give the quick boot to the successor, I hadn't considered that, although given BU's reputation (Wolff) quick boots are not the norm, although hockey is a different animal than basketball, obviously.

 

[Rover]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

Jack has made it abundantly clear that his successor will be a BU guy, so that significant reduction of the applicant pool is what caused my previous post. Like most Quinn would be my first choice, but if him Sullivan and Hynes fall through it appears Dennehy, Blasi, etc are not options. So what is plan B?

Fair point about being able to give the quick boot to the successor, I hadn't considered that, although given BU's reputation (Wolff) quick boots are not the norm, although hockey is a different animal than basketball, obviously.

If that's the case (it HAS to be a BU guy) then that's a problem. The program should be striving to get the best available candidate out there. Its not the 1970's anymore and this sort of thing is ludicrious. While I certainly would like the best candidate to also be a BU guy, restricting it only to BU related people makes no sense. As has been said, what if Quinn doesn't want the job and Sullivan is waiting for another NHL gig? Really, after that there's not an abundance of BU affiliated people that I'd want running the program so you'd pretty much have to look outside the school at that point to get a quality guy.

 

[mookie1995]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

Just offering this up if anyone has the time.....

I just went through security with THE hottest collection of stews I have ever witnessed... Smoking hot, dark haired, dark skinned. They all turned right when I turned left down the J gates and boarded a Taca flight to Lima, Peru.

You can thank me later

 

[J.D.]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

I was thinking solely of BC alums in coaching ranks. I'm inclined to believe it would be an one of the important, but not required, qualifications.

Sure it's important, but Mike Cavanagh isn't a BC grad. BC would be foolish not to look at him.

But if you're strictly talking alums, I keep seeing Quinn, Sullivan and Hynes mentioned for BU. BC's top three would probably be Mark Dennehy, Greg Brown, and Scott Gordon.

 

[bantam75]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

Just offering this up if anyone has the time.....

I just went through security with THE hottest collection of stews I have ever witnessed... Smoking hot, dark haired, dark skinned. They all turned right when I turned left down the J gates and boarded a Taca flight to Lima, Peru.

You can thank me later

I'll thank you now. Reading and writing on this thread of late has my head ready to explode. Like I said yesterday, us diehards need an Animal HOuse diversion - ROAD TRIP: women, drugs and tequila!!!! I think the NCAA should have the FF in a warm climate each year. DC was a good party in 2009, but Tampa, San Antonio, Anaheim make for much better total experiences, especially when your team is not there.

Detroit last year??? who wants to go there? MSP this year? Seriously who wants to go to MSP this time of year. I have been offered tickets and housing there, but I've been to MSP early April and it looks like the tundra in Alaska and everyone is pasty white. Much rather follow those stews to Peru!!

 

[slurpees]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

I'll thank you now. Reading and writing on this thread of late has my head ready to explode. Like I said yesterday, us diehards need an Animal HOuse diversion - ROAD TRIP: women, drugs and tequila!!!! I think the NCAA should have the FF in a warm climate each year. DC was a good party in 2009, but Tampa, San Antonio, Anaheim make for much better total experiences, especially when your team is not there.

I've been to both San Antonio and Tampa for Final Fours. Tampa next year will be a task. The area, while nice, is SO spread out, which is the main reason the NCAA never went back for basketball. Team and designated fan hotels were right on the beach in Clearwater, but were a solid 45 minute drive from Tampa and St. Petersburg. Tampa to St. Pete itself is a drive as well. Point, rental car is a 100% must, and very little was close to each other. From what I remember, the downtown area of Tampa was nothing to write home about, but that was 1999. On the flip side, San Antonio was loads of fun, the downtown area is really, really nice, the Riverwalk can easily provide a weekend of entertainment by itself. But obviously, if you find three people in the city who can spell hockey, you'd be lucky.

 

[Federal League]

Re: Boston University Part IV: Off-Season or New Season?

There's some stuff to do right around the St. Pete Times Forum IIRC. But yeah, if you plan on getting out of the city and getting to the beaches or Busch Gardens or whatever, you're gonna need a car. I'm hoping to cover next year's FF because I'll be able to stay at my grandfather's place and probably snag his car.