# days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

[Bale]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

Just thinking out loud here but what happens that, on the day he was hired and for several years after, he is a great coach but sometime in there he loses his abilities and gets canned? Certainly some coaches are better than others, but I wonder, if he is such a crummy coach, why did you hire him in the first place.?

Frankly, he got hired due to his ties to MSU. He's been affiliated with the school for 26 years running. He's a good dude that played here, was an assistant coach here, and then became the coach because he was hand picked by Don Brose. He's not a bad guy and probably not a bad coach, but a new voice was needed. I don't condone the "reveling" that people are doing. And I always was uncomfortable with the "Fire Jutting" chants (as I am with anyone having to hear that). I can't imagine what it's like to hear that kind of thing about your spouse or dad. That would be horrible.

Unfortunately, all civility goes out the window when it comes to sports. No team is immune to it because people feel that them paying $17 for a ticket gives them the right to say or do anything. It's unfortunate, but I do think most of these guys understand what they're getting into when they are hired. They know at some point it's going to happen to them. That doesn't make it right, it just makes it realistic.

 

[Bale]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

Would not surprise me to see Jutting end up in some role with USA Hockey. He has been an active participant in the past, and they seem to provide a soft landing for those who help with the program.

I don't think he will. The man bleeds purple and gold. He loves MSU and the athletics program. The things that he's done behind the scenes to help MSU hockey and other MSU athletic teams is something you won't see from most coaches. Check out the story below from CHN. Maybe he'll end up somewhere else over time and I could be wrong. Wherever he is, he will be an asset to that organization.

Jutting a Class Act All the Way
Posted by: Dan Myers

A lot has been said by fans over the years about the job done by now-former Minnesota State coach Troy Jutting.

Some have been supportive. Some have been critical. Some have been ridiculously critical. Ask Shane Frederick of the Mankato Free Press. Moderating his live blog on game nights has become a bigger and bigger chore for him over the years.

Calling for a coach’s job is nothing new. Since the advent of talk radio and message boards on the internet, it’s become almost customary. Heck, as a sophomore at Minnesota State, I once wrote an editorial calling for Jutting’s job. I even named guys I would replace him with.

A couple of months later, I was handed the men’s hockey beat.

Talk about awkward. The guy I wrote a scathing story about, calling for his job, was now a guy I was going to have to cover on a daily basis. To his credit, he never held it against me. He gave me his cell phone number, said I could give him a call anytime. He gave me incredible access to his team, when he didn’t have to. He allowed an aspiring journalist — someone who had always wanted to cover football — to fall in love with covering hockey.

Anyone that has covered the Mavericks and the WCHA for any amount of time has their favorite Jutting stories. For those that don’t know him on that level, trust me when I say, there is only one Troy Jutting. I seriously hope Shane writes the book someday. We’ve spent countless hours on the road, going to Minneapolis, St. Cloud, Bemidji… re-hashing old Jutts stories. They never get old.

Talk to Jutting about MSU sometime and you can feel his genuine passion for the school he has dedicated more than a quarter of a century to building. After the women’s golf coach resigned midseason back in 2006, Jutting volunteered to take over. He had never coached women. He had never coached golf. But the school was in a tough spot, and he answered the call. “I can’t judge their golf swings. But I can judge desire and competitiveness,” he said at the time. I have friends that played on the team and they adore Troy for doing what he did.

He’s had plenty of success at MSU at the rink too. Not many coaches have won a pair of WCHA Coach of the Year awards, but Jutting has. But in the end, the losing became too much. Injuries ravaged Mavericks early-on this year and it set them back from the very beginning. Despite a very respectable second half, MSU had dug too deep of a hole, finishing in 11th place for the second straight season.

Jutting’s legacy at MSU is a good one. He is one of the best players to ever wear purple and gold. He was an assistant under Don Brose for a decade, taking over a young WCHA program in its infancy and bringing it to a Final Five and an NCAA Tournament. But it’s been almost 10 years since it happened, and some think perhaps Jutting has brought this team as far as he can.

Certainly, the next coach will have a great opportunity to pick up where he left off. MSU’s best players will be sophomores next season. They have a rock-solid freshman group on its way in. If everyone sticks around, the Mavs have some solid upperclassmen sprinkled in too.

Whomever takes over will have success and will get a lot of credit. Hopefully Troy Jutting gets his share too.

 

[Bale]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

Out of curiosity, does Mankato have any alums that are in coaching elsewhere (whether juniors, college, pro)?

I can't see Eades or Hastings at Mankato. I do think a Lalonde or a Rud would be a good fit. Maybe not quite the bigger names some Mavs fans may wish for but youngish guys that probably would have some fire in their belly to show their stuff.

The only alum that I know of is Ryan McKelvie, but he's still a bit inexperienced as he's in his first year at Lake Forest (D3).

I still think that Kato is a bit more attractive to "bigger" names. It's still one of a very limited amount of jobs out there. Yes, there are challenges, but those guys have a simple question to ask: do I want to be "the man" or do I want to be answering to "the man"? If they want to be a head coach, they are going to need to elsewhere in many cases. You don't get the best job right from being the assistant very often and the supposedly better jobs don't open up that often. MSU has a good core group of kids that just need some direction. If there is an on-ice group to hit the ground running with, this very well could be it.

 

[davyd83]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

First, it's not like we want Troy to go burn in hell, we think he's a terrible person, etc. He hasn't been the right guy for an investment many of us make, spending 300 dollars a seat to watch an insufficient product for our investment. Should we be happy? Why not? Our administration has finally understood what we believed was the problem, which was that Troy has done all that he can with our program. We're grateful Troy took us to an NCAA tournament, but our program hasn't evolved since, and it time toove on, which generates excitement someone new can maybe begin to take the program a step further.

Well said.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

I saw a tweet yesterday that Shjon Podein may be a candidate. The jump from coaching at St. Louis Park to going to the WCHA would be quite huge...

 

[Hammy]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

If they want to be a head coach, they are going to need to elsewhere in many cases.

"In many cases" is the key part of your sentence and that is my point with some of the candidate names thrown around.

Unless a head coach is getting fired, it tends to be the second in command that benefits from a change in guard. The second in command tends to lead to a smooth transition and most of the "big name" schools have that clear cut 2nd guy. A man that knows the school, knows the players, knows the administration and he provides stability. That's why it is tough for those types of guys to leave for head coaching at another school in which the risks are higher.

 

[MavHockey14]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

I saw a tweet yesterday that Shjon Podein may be a candidate. The jump from coaching at St. Louis Park to going to the WCHA would be quite huge...

I believe it was Let's Play Hockey. I don't know that it could have too much behind it, or rather just some kind of a plug as he was a Minnesota guy..

 

[Bale]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

"In many cases" is the key part of your sentence and that is my point with some of the candidate names thrown around.

Unless a head coach is getting fired, it tends to be the second in command that benefits from a change in guard. The second in command tends to lead to a smooth transition and most of the "big name" schools have that clear cut 2nd guy. A man that knows the school, knows the players, knows the administration and he provides stability. That's why it is tough for those types of guys to leave for head coaching at another school in which the risks are higher.

I don't disagree entirely, but that certainly wouldn't take Eades out of the discussion. I think the part you're leaving out is that most of these guys are impatient (as Guentzel proved the last couple of years) and have egos that drive them to make those changes. That's why Pearson left Michigan. It's why Sandelin left UND. That's why you see the jumping around of assistants in college and pro football and the same in college basketball. Sure, the risks are higher, but I don't think moving is as big of a stretch as you do. That's just a difference of opinion, I guess.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

I don't disagree entirely, but that certainly wouldn't take Eades out of the discussion. I think the part you're leaving out is that most of these guys are impatient (as Guentzel proved the last couple of years) and have egos that drive them to make those changes. That's why Pearson left Michigan. It's why Sandelin left UND. That's why you see the jumping around of assistants in college and pro football and the same in college basketball. Sure, the risks are higher, but I don't think moving is as big of a stretch as you do. That's just a difference of opinion, I guess.

If I remember correctly there were some indications that Eades had some interest in the Tech job, but Tech didn't pursue him and we put all our eggs in the Mel Pearson basket. If Eades had even a little interest in Tech, you'd think he'd have some in Mankato, probably more.

 

[MavHockey14]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

I don't disagree entirely, but that certainly wouldn't take Eades out of the discussion. I think the part you're leaving out is that most of these guys are impatient (as Guentzel proved the last couple of years) and have egos that drive them to make those changes. That's why Pearson left Michigan. It's why Sandelin left UND. That's why you see the jumping around of assistants in college and pro football and the same in college basketball. Sure, the risks are higher, but I don't think moving is as big of a stretch as you do. That's just a difference of opinion, I guess.

I think it is a case by case situation. I don't think there's a chance in hell that Eades, who mind you is an assistant at his alma mater, would take the job in Mankato. Take 8 consecutive 20 win seasons, a fairly good salary, and coaching at the place you call home? Or go to a new league that isn't even close to what Pearson thought he was getting into, etc. He's got a pretty good gig.

 

[davyd83]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

I don't disagree entirely, but that certainly wouldn't take Eades out of the discussion. I think the part you're leaving out is that most of these guys are impatient (as Guentzel proved the last couple of years) and have egos that drive them to make those changes. That's why Pearson left Michigan. It's why Sandelin left UND. That's why you see the jumping around of assistants in college and pro football and the same in college basketball. Sure, the risks are higher, but I don't think moving is as big of a stretch as you do. That's just a difference of opinion, I guess.

Ego is why Mel left UM? Are you sure, because he has had opportunities in the past and chose to stay in Ann Arbor, and it took him a good long time to accept the job in Houghton. Pearson is one of the least ego driven guys I've met. Ever actually meet the guy?

 

[Bale]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

Ego is why Mel left UM? Are you sure, because he has had opportunities in the past and chose to stay in Ann Arbor, and it took him a good long time to accept the job in Houghton. Pearson is one of the least ego driven guys I've met.

No, not ego...but the idea that we was going to have to continue sitting behind Red and wait for the UM job. The writing was on the wall that it very well could be a long time before he got the chance to be a head coach. The point is that this happens all the time that a guy chooses to leave the the ideal company (assistant coaching job at a school in this case) to get a better, higher ranking job at a lesser company (or head coaching at a difference school in this case). I see people do it in my company on a weekly basis. I don't know why anyone thinks that college hockey is any different.

 

[Hammy]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

I don't disagree entirely, but that certainly wouldn't take Eades out of the discussion.

Eades may be the one that I could see an argument for. Hakstol seems like he's more likely to stick around a while yet.

I'm not going to go into specifics on Guentzel but he didn't move around out of impatience or ego. You're way off there.

 

[Hammy]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

No, not ego...but the idea that we was going to have to continue sitting behind Red and wait for the UM job. The writing was on the wall that it very well could be a long time before he got the chance to be a head coach. The point is that this happens all the time that a guy chooses to leave the the ideal company (assistant coaching job at a school in this case) to get a better, higher ranking job at a lesser company (or head coaching at a difference school in this case). I see people do it in my company on a weekly basis. I don't know why anyone thinks that college hockey is any different.

Pearson is also an alum to MTU and had been an assistant there previously. You can't tell me that alumni pride doesn't play a role with some of these guys.

Not to mention, they paid him something like 250K a year. That's in the upper echelon for base salary in the WCHA. Something I highly doubt Mankato will do.

 

[Flashy Man]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

Pearson is also an alum to MTU and had been an assistant there previously. You can't tell me that alumni pride doesn't play a role with some of these guys.

Not to mention, they paid him something like 250K a year. That's in the upper echelon for base salary in the WCHA. Something I highly doubt Mankato will do.

Pearson had applied and not been selected to coach Tech twice in his career as an assistant at Michigan. This year his salary was $250k + $25k signing bonus. Most likey to put money up front for things like moving expense and housing down payment since his salary is $275k for the next 4 season. I assume he received a bonus for winning coach of the year for the conference, however I have no documentation of such.

 

[Bale]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

Pearson is also an alum to MTU and had been an assistant there previously. You can't tell me that alumni pride doesn't play a role with some of these guys.

Not to mention, they paid him something like 250K a year. That's in the upper echelon for base salary in the WCHA. Something I highly doubt Mankato will do.

I admit circumstances are different in all situations and that alumni pride does come into play as well. All I'm saying is that changing jobs is akin to climbing the corporate ladder for the rest of us. It's not entirely out of the realm of possibility that coaches would go to a lesser school to be a HEAD Coach rather than stay and be an ASSISTANT Coach. I don't know the situation or goals of any specific coach out there. I'm just saying that it's not that unreasonable for MSU to go after a big name and see that coach make the move. MSU is still 1 of 59 jobs out there and for coaches that are trying to climb that ladder, it's a viable option. I guess I don't understand why that's so hard to fathom.

 

[gopheritall]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

The first guy that came to mind was Mike Hastings. I have no idea on the politics behind this but I thought that he was trying to position as a head-coach-in-waiting at both MN and UNO.

 

[Hammy]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

The first guy that came to mind was Mike Hastings. I have no idea on the politics behind this but I thought that he was trying to position as a head-coach-in-waiting at both MN and UNO.

Hastings was never going to be the head coach at the U. No chance.

He left because he didn't like Hill any more than MG did (combined with the assoc head coach opportunity at UNO that is).

 

[gopheritall]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

Hastings was never going to be the head coach at the U. No chance.

He left because he didn't like Hill any more than MG did (combined with the assoc head coach opportunity at UNO that is).

But would a head coach position in Kato draw him out of Omaha now that the "Fire Lucia and Hire Blais" has died down. I can't remember who was driving that bandwagon but it clearly has gone off the tracks somehow.

 

[Hammy]

Re: # days until Jutting is collecting unemnployment

But would a head coach position in Kato draw him out of Omaha now that the "Fire Lucia and Hire Blais" has died down. I can't remember who was driving that bandwagon but it clearly has gone off the tracks somehow.

When MG was brought back, those cries died down quickly for most.

I personally doubt that Hastings would leave UNO. Blais is going to be done relatively soon.