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Dean Blais steps down at Omaha
- Thread starter Riz
- Start date
Re: Dean Blais steps down at Omaha
I saw something that said he'd be back too just yesterday. I guess he or the program changed their mind(s).
I saw something that said he'd be back too just yesterday. I guess he or the program changed their mind(s).
Happy
Registered User
Re: Dean Blais steps down at Omaha
I doubt they will do better with him gone. I can think of a lot of places a really good recruit might want to go, before they pick Omaha.
I doubt they will do better with him gone. I can think of a lot of places a really good recruit might want to go, before they pick Omaha.
willythekid
New member
Re: Dean Blais steps down at Omaha
Dean Blais got recruits to go to Omaha that very few other coaches could have... I can count 4-5 that were shoo-ins for North Dakota over the years that he "stole". He also was the driving force behind getting UNO a new barn. I think that most UNO fans thought that by just hiring Deano that they would automatically become a top 5 program... not going to happen with any coach. What's that saying, you can only shine a turd so much? I may have that one wrong...
Dean Blais got recruits to go to Omaha that very few other coaches could have... I can count 4-5 that were shoo-ins for North Dakota over the years that he "stole". He also was the driving force behind getting UNO a new barn. I think that most UNO fans thought that by just hiring Deano that they would automatically become a top 5 program... not going to happen with any coach. What's that saying, you can only shine a turd so much? I may have that one wrong...
Re: Dean Blais steps down at Omaha
Yet, he barely had a better record than Kemp. Maybe some of that was CCHA versus WCHA/NCHC but I expected him to perform better at Omaha. Only 2 NCAA wins and 2 appearances in 8 years for an "elite" coach. I understand Omaha moved into a much better conference with the WCHA/NCHC but you'd think they could do better with an "elite" coach. That being said, Blais leaving does not send this program into the right direction.
5thYearFreshman
New member
Golden Tuuk
Registered User
Re: Dean Blais steps down at Omaha
He's an icon, no doubt.
He's an icon, no doubt.
5thYearFreshman
New member
Re: Dean Blais steps down at Omaha
I think 2 wins in the NCAAs in two appearances is respectable for UNO. A Frozen Four appearance was impressive even if it did come thanks to RIT The early exits in the conference tournaments was the extremely disappointing part. Last year, going from #1 in the country to not making the NCAAs in less than 3 months was tragic.
He pretty much skated on his reputation while he was at UNO, not his results.
I think 2 wins in the NCAAs in two appearances is respectable for UNO. A Frozen Four appearance was impressive even if it did come thanks to RIT The early exits in the conference tournaments was the extremely disappointing part. Last year, going from #1 in the country to not making the NCAAs in less than 3 months was tragic.
He pretty much skated on his reputation while he was at UNO, not his results.
Re: Dean Blais steps down at Omaha
Well two wins in two appearances isn't terrible but the appearances in the NCAA usually define whether the team had a successful regular season or not. AS we know, crazy things can happen in a single-elimination hockey game.
ole ole ole ole
Registered User
Re: Dean Blais steps down at Omaha
The lone Frozen Four appearance was a gift from MSU-Mankato that year. MSUM entered as the number 1 seed in the country and couldn't take care of business in the regionals.
The lone Frozen Four appearance was a gift from MSU-Mankato that year. MSUM entered as the number 1 seed in the country and couldn't take care of business in the regionals.
Last edited:
MAVFANJEFF
broomslinger
Re: Dean Blais steps down at Omaha
I'm glad he's gone. He lost his touch. He's too expensive. We have a problem. No recruiting budget. Snuggerud left. They might try to get Mike Hastings but I'm sure he won't budge. Trev needs to go next. Don't be surprised to see Mike Kemp back behind the bench to save $$$. OR,,,, he could end up as the new AD. We are screwed.
I'm glad he's gone. He lost his touch. He's too expensive. We have a problem. No recruiting budget. Snuggerud left. They might try to get Mike Hastings but I'm sure he won't budge. Trev needs to go next. Don't be surprised to see Mike Kemp back behind the bench to save $$$. OR,,,, he could end up as the new AD. We are screwed.
Re: Dean Blais steps down at Omaha
Not surprised. He never lived up to his billing and even hinted at the administration not having his back last year. I kind of feel for the guy. Kind of.
That being said, I think this was a cost-cutting move more than a performance move. The state's in the middle of a budget crisis, and whenever that happens, UNO gets absolutely gutted in every department possible. It happened in the mid-2000s and it's happening now.
To add to this, the baseball manager Bob Herold, who was one of the most underrated in the country and made UNO finish top two in the conference over the last three years, was "fired over an altercation on the team bus." The players all very vocally protested in favor of keeping him, and fans think it was a cost-cutting measure, especially when you consider them hiring some alum who was playing semi-pro ball in Sweden when he got the call to manage his alma mater. Now Herold's managing the Phillies' rookie league team and UNO baseball went from vying for an NCAA bid to 2-17. That's where we are. If I'm the basketball or soccer coaches, I'm updating my resume in case the year goes a little below expectations or I yell at a player a little too loud and word gets to the AD.
The talk is that the replacement will be current assistant Mike Gabinet, and he won't be given full cost of attendance, so he'll be recruiting against UND and Miami who are while having only a year's knowledge of coaching in US college hockey. He was very successful in the CIS, but the NCHC is a different beast. Is this the "commitment to the sport" that got UNO brought into the NCHC?
If we lose, fans stay home or go to Creighton games, which means less money to pay off the new arena, which means more belt-tightening at the athletic department, which means more questionable firings of successful coaches in favor of newbies, which means more losses, which means...
TL:DR; UNO is screwed for the foreseeable future and probably has no business remaining in the NCHC if we can't find a way to pay off the new arena while offering FCOA to help out the new coach.
Not surprised. He never lived up to his billing and even hinted at the administration not having his back last year. I kind of feel for the guy. Kind of.
That being said, I think this was a cost-cutting move more than a performance move. The state's in the middle of a budget crisis, and whenever that happens, UNO gets absolutely gutted in every department possible. It happened in the mid-2000s and it's happening now.
To add to this, the baseball manager Bob Herold, who was one of the most underrated in the country and made UNO finish top two in the conference over the last three years, was "fired over an altercation on the team bus." The players all very vocally protested in favor of keeping him, and fans think it was a cost-cutting measure, especially when you consider them hiring some alum who was playing semi-pro ball in Sweden when he got the call to manage his alma mater. Now Herold's managing the Phillies' rookie league team and UNO baseball went from vying for an NCAA bid to 2-17. That's where we are. If I'm the basketball or soccer coaches, I'm updating my resume in case the year goes a little below expectations or I yell at a player a little too loud and word gets to the AD.
The talk is that the replacement will be current assistant Mike Gabinet, and he won't be given full cost of attendance, so he'll be recruiting against UND and Miami who are while having only a year's knowledge of coaching in US college hockey. He was very successful in the CIS, but the NCHC is a different beast. Is this the "commitment to the sport" that got UNO brought into the NCHC?
If we lose, fans stay home or go to Creighton games, which means less money to pay off the new arena, which means more belt-tightening at the athletic department, which means more questionable firings of successful coaches in favor of newbies, which means more losses, which means...
TL:DR; UNO is screwed for the foreseeable future and probably has no business remaining in the NCHC if we can't find a way to pay off the new arena while offering FCOA to help out the new coach.
Re: Dean Blais steps down at Omaha
Yup! A lot depends upon who Gabinet gets for assistants, if he ends up being the guy, and whether or not he will have control of that.
Yup! A lot depends upon who Gabinet gets for assistants, if he ends up being the guy, and whether or not he will have control of that.
JohnsonsJerseys
Michigan Tech Fan
Re: Dean Blais steps down at Omaha
Unless something completely unexpected happens, looks like Colorado College will have increased competition for the bottom spot of the NCHC next season. As other have noted, I'm sure DB was a big part of what talent UNO did get on their campus. With that name gone, I would expect recruiting to drop off further unless another big, established name comes to town.
Ryan J
Considering half of the NCHC makes the NCAA tourney every year thanks to the current tourney selection formula, it looks even worse that UNO wasn't making the tourney on a more frequent basis with DB behind the bench. Heck UND is going to the NCAA tourney with a sub 0.500 conference record. UNO only had two seasons with double digit conferences win (first two seasons) and has been in the bottom half since.
Unless something completely unexpected happens, looks like Colorado College will have increased competition for the bottom spot of the NCHC next season. As other have noted, I'm sure DB was a big part of what talent UNO did get on their campus. With that name gone, I would expect recruiting to drop off further unless another big, established name comes to town.
Ryan J
Re: Dean Blais steps down at Omaha
Half the NCHC making the tournament is tough though when Denver & North Dakota are almost guaranteed to make it no matter how good any other team in the conference is. So, that leaves 2-3 spots.
I'm predicting UNO to finish 8th as soon as next season. CC is slowly improving and has a good goalie that can steal them some games.
Half the NCHC making the tournament is tough though when Denver & North Dakota are almost guaranteed to make it no matter how good any other team in the conference is. So, that leaves 2-3 spots.
5thYearFreshman
New member
Re: Dean Blais steps down at Omaha
UNO hired Mike Gabinet in the most expected and budget-friendly move ever. I can see the recruiting trip now.
Coach: Hello, I'm Mike Gabinet and I'd like you to play hockey in Omaha.
Recruit: Who are you and where do you want me to play?
Rookie head coach in the NCHC? Say hello to the cellar rats because Gabinet's going to get schooled quick and often
UNO hired Mike Gabinet in the most expected and budget-friendly move ever. I can see the recruiting trip now.
Coach: Hello, I'm Mike Gabinet and I'd like you to play hockey in Omaha.
Recruit: Who are you and where do you want me to play?
Rookie head coach in the NCHC? Say hello to the cellar rats because Gabinet's going to get schooled quick and often