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BU 2021-22: Albie's Great Adventure

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That’s not even true at all. Leaman was already gone for 3 years when Union won the title. They only had 5 seniors that year that played when Leaman last coached at Union. Now you can make the case that Bennett took Leaman’s team to the Frozen Four in 2012 because that exactly was the case.

The 2012 team is probably what I had in mind. But the part about Union sucking for a few years now is certainly true. So again, Rick Bennett has become overrated. Maybe he can get his groove back but it's not gonna be at a program like BU.
 
"National searches" for the "most qualified candidate" can be conducted in a matter of days. They definitely do not need almost three weeks to do so. It's like some of you guys don't even follow DI sports.

On that note, when did BU get good at lacrosse? Looks like they are a top 15 team this year. Wish BC men's lacrosse would happen but probably a Title IX issue.
 
"National searches" for the "most qualified candidate" can be conducted in a matter of days. They definitely do not need almost three weeks to do so. It's like some of you guys don't even follow DI sports.

You make it sound as if just because BU “selects” someone they will be here the next day. They DO have to have some negotiation and time to work out a deal before they introduce the replacement.
 
You make it sound as if just because BU “selects” someone they will be here the next day. They DO have to have some negotiation and time to work out a deal before they introduce the replacement.

The AD ALWAYS has a short list built of coaches they would like to bring in if/when an opening happens. When an opening occurs, you then conduct your search over a week or two, offer the job, get an acceptance, and then announce the new coach within 24 hours of acceptance.

If Pandolfo is the one, he'd be announced by now (unless the bigger search turns up no one better and then you'd throw him additional reasons to say yes).

We should know next week or the thereafter.
 
You make it sound as if just because BU “selects” someone they will be here the next day. They DO have to have some negotiation and time to work out a deal before they introduce the replacement.

Yeah - didn't they have to wait until Quinn's season with the Lake Erie Monsters ended to interview him? Am I completely making that up? Seems like there was some issue like that going on.
 
The AD ALWAYS has a short list built of coaches they would like to bring in if/when an opening happens. When an opening occurs, you then conduct your search over a week or two, offer the job, get an acceptance, and then announce the new coach within 24 hours of acceptance.

If Pandolfo is the one, he'd be announced by now (unless the bigger search turns up no one better and then you'd throw him additional reasons to say yes).

We should know next week or the thereafter.

I don't agree that they would have Pandolfo announced by now. If they announce too soon it seems like it as pre-ordained and makes it look like AOC was a lame duck this year (which may have been the case, but hey would not want to make it that obvious).

There is also a benefit to at least seeing who puts their name in before jumping to a decision. What if someone really good unexpectedly raises their hand?
 
You make it sound as if just because BU “selects” someone they will be here the next day. They DO have to have some negotiation and time to work out a deal before they introduce the replacement.

I agree. Most candidates are likely under current contracts so there are all sorts of steps you have to work through. "Hey, I am interested, but I don't know if I would seriously be considered, and I don't want to rock the boat in my current role if I don't have a pretty good shot at getting this job". This is a common scenario in the world that sometimes requires some finesse to get through.
 
I've posted a lot since the news, but wanted to give some actual initial reaction:
- Thanks to Albie - I appreciate his efforts. He was a 4-year Terrier, a Senior Captain (in the tough year following Drury's departure), and a very effective assistant coach/recruiter at several programs, including BU. I have no doubt that Albie sank everything he had into this job.
- Unfortunately, it appears that being the HC at a top-flight program like BU was beyond his skill set. Maybe he'll get another shot somewhere and learn from this. But at the end of the day, given the talent on his teams, they underachieved. I sincerely hope he lands on his feet somewhere, in some capacity.
- One thing that Albie did figure out was getting a good blend of high talent young kids (USNTDP) and more experienced older kids. Many on these boards have discussed how this is critical to be able to compete with the St. Clouds and Minnesota States of the world.
- Despite it not working out, I am glad they didn't go with Bennett, I think that could have had a bigger negative impact on the program long term.
- After going 40 years with one coach, we will now have our third coach in less than 10 years. The pressure is on to get it right this time.
- I am hoping that the new coach and coaching staff in general brings youthful energy to the program, focuses on a good mix of skill and grit, and emphasizes team over individual.
 
If they had already decided on Pandolfo, that would have been announced already. There is nothing worse than a program without a leader. There is no way they would sit on this unless the new coach is still currently in season somewhere.

Chickod, contract negotiations should begin and end within twenty-four hours.

My guess is there is a new coach by the end of the weekend. If there isn't, then Marochello/Brown are doing something wrong, or there is some glaring issue - for example, no one wants the job. I'd assume that won't be the case or they would've just kept Albie for another year to begin with.

What I am curious about is the source for that original post on this forum that said Albie was back on a one-year deal. Forget who posted it now. I wonder if that source had mostly accurate information - for example, they were intending on bring Albie back for a year but then changed their mind. No way the "post-season review process" took two+ weeks to complete = that's done within two or three days. Maybe their candidate to replace him initially said he needed another year and then changed his mind and was ready to go now. That points to someone like Quinn. I can't recall reading anything else about any coaches being let go or not renewed over the past two weeks. Of course, the source could have been completely wrong.

In any event, if this drags out til the 20th, there are some major problems.
 
Can anyone find information on a buyout clause in Mike Hastings' contract? I can only find that he has five years left and is making $336K with potential to go up to $350K. Weren't we paying Parker almost a million and Quinn $500K?
 
Completely disagree that if it was Jay it'd be announced already.

Why? Why would a decision be made and BU just sits on it? That literally makes no sense. This is DI hockey at the highest level. The thought that we wouldn't announce our next head coach to avoid hurting Albie's "feelings" is absurd.

I really don't think it's going to be Pandolfo, but if they've already determined it's him, they aren't sitting on it. We are already losing recruits, right?
 
Ya wasn't brassbonanza calling for them to hire a coach ASAP for that very reason? Although I will say with the portal/verbal commitments not meaning much, losing some recruits isn't a long term hit. Hiring the wrong coach is.
 
Whatever the case, a new HC needs to be in place *very* fast. With easy access to the transfer portal or the pros, our current roster and incoming recruits have many options elsewhere if BU drags their feet.

While my understanding is the final decision was made this morning, I would hope the AD has already put together a list and made backchannel contact with some candidates in advance of this morning's decision.

Here it is. So if Pandolfo, why the delay? Unless you think he'd be telling recruits behind the scenes that he's the guy. That seems doubtful. Word would get out.
 
Can anyone find information on a buyout clause in Mike Hastings' contract? I can only find that he has five years left and is making $336K with potential to go up to $350K. Weren't we paying Parker almost a million and Quinn $500K?

Hastings, SCSU grad, from Crookston, MN, would uproot for the BU job? I'm not so sure.
 
Can anyone find information on a buyout clause in Mike Hastings' contract? I can only find that he has five years left and is making $336K with potential to go up to $350K. Weren't we paying Parker almost a million and Quinn $500K?
Being a Minnesota guy I've been told he has no interest in relocating to the Boston area. But if BU makes the attempt they would likely need to be ready to pay. Boston is a far more expensive place to live than Mankato. BU would have to pay him almost $646 thousand to maintain his salary level in the Boston area. Even if he lives in Minneapolis BU would have pay him $524 thousand to maintain his salary level in Boston. Most of the cities and towns near Boston have even higher costs of living and would likely require paying him even more to maintain his salary level.

Sean
 
Regardless of whether he has interest or BU has interest, as a program, BU needs to be able to pay the head coach more than a small state school in Minnesota. If we cannot, the likelihood of remaining one of the top handful of programs in the country is low.
 
I think if BU was looking to cheap out on the coach's contact they just would have re-upped Albie. It's not like O'Connell has a bunch of D-1 jobs lined up and after the debacle of the last 4 years he couldn't exactly demand a raise. Agree though on comp. We have to be competitive or we'll be sifting through a never ending parade of ex players with no coaching experience.
 
Here it is. So if Pandolfo, why the delay? Unless you think he'd be telling recruits behind the scenes that he's the guy. That seems doubtful. Word would get out.

This and my original statement can both be true. What I'm saying is I don't believe the fact that there's been no announcement means Jay is not the HC. If we're having this conversation a week from now, I believe it does indicate it's not Jay.

A few things:

- We're only 72 hours out from when Albie was not renewed.
- If DQ is actually interested, there may be some time there for negotiations - particularly of his buyout if he were to leave. I don't believe this is likely.
- If BU (particularly Bob Brown) wants to interview multiple candidates, that would require the rest of the past week to complete and come to a decision. Bob Brown was heavily involved in the last coaching search. I suspect Brown would push Drew to interview multiple candidates, particularly non-BU ones, if Drew's first choice was Jay. There's no way to do realistically do this in <48 hours.
- If they came to an agreement on the contract with anyone at any point on Friday, they'd wait until Monday to make a formal announcement with a press conference. They want good PR for this, PR 101 - never make an announcement on a Friday afternoon. In the interim, they'd likely inform players and recruits what the decision is. Wouldn't shock me if there was a planned leak towards the end of the weekend if this were the case.

My calling for a quick hire was to not drag this out for a lengthy period. I said this to a friend, this needs to be resolved in a week. We're not there yet. Mostly in response to Drew's quote of targeting April 20 to have someone. That create 3+ weeks of instability and no leadership - players and recruits would be poached. My understanding is that date was more for a quote and not the actual target. They're moving quick.

There's no difference between announcing a coach this past Friday and Monday or Tuesday. There's little risk there of players/recruits leaving who wouldn't leave under any circumstance. If we get towards the end of next week and there's no announcement, there's a problem.

My actual thoughts?

Most likely Jay. It'd be announced early next week. I have no information on that, just a guess.

We've heard of no one hitting the portal since the Albie news hit Wednesday. No one else went pro. This indicates there's someone keeping things stable behind the scenes and there's an understanding in place. To me, that indicates it's Jay. The only wild card at this point would be DQ, but that seems highly unlikely.


Some other things:
- Eric's point about Giving Day is a good one. I suspect they're actually targeting that day. If possible, make the announcement Monday, presser Tuesday, collect donations Wednesday.
- Hastings is a pipe dream. I don't believe it's a $ issue, just doesn't line up. If you're going to go after him and outpay Mankato, why not go after Carvel or Leaman instead and get just as good of a coach with roots in the area already.
 
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