Re: Gwoz Resigns from DU?
That's the rub, isn't it? They apparently couldn't agree on what he's worth. No organization will disregard their own valuation of an employee's worth and pay the employee what the employee thinks he is worth.
That's not necessarily true in professional sports or business, and especially in cases like this unless the organizational leadership is clearly myopic and deluded which I believe is the case here. The inherent added marketing and entertainment value of a high profile and successful sports figure or coach goes far beyond the win and loss column. I remember reading what a difference the presence of Micheal Jordan meant to the Chicago economy during a Bulls home game. When the Bulls played at home local revenue soared in excess of $60M.
The notoriety of George Gwozdecky and his resume alone drew some of the finest college hockey recruits in the nation to DU, sold tickets, merchandise, etc. The man's industry connections are far and wide, a network comprised of some of the top coaches and sport figures in college and professional sports today. Moreover, Gwoz's coaching expertise took a losing, dysfunctional DU hockey program in 1994 with ONE NCAA postseason appearance in 20 years and elevated it to one of the top 5 college hockey programs in the nation with 11 NCAA appearances, 21 seasons winning 21 or more games, 2 national championships, conference championships, coached the only Hobey Baker winner from DU/Matt Carle, produced lots of NHL talent, etc. He is currently 4th all time in Ws among active coaches behind Jerry York, Red Berenson and Don Lucia.
I recall Don Lucia stating recently when asked what he will miss and not miss about the WCHA. When asked, "Which road trip will you miss the least?" He said, "Denver, because we can never win out there" (Laughs). DU and Gwoz always seemed to have the Gophers number and this season Gwoz became the winningest coach ever against the Gophers.
There's little question Gwoz was the face of the DU hockey program. If Doppes and staff can't negotiate on a fair market value salary commensurate with Gwoz's record, character and coaching ability, IMO they are nothing more than redundant clods disconnected to today's high standard of what is required to consistently win in college hockey. Gwoz stated during his farewell press conference, he expected Denver to come back to the negotiating table after initial talks four years ago, but Doppes and co. never did. I don't pretend to know how much Gwozdecky wanted, but it's uncanny that DU wouldn’t even come to the table to discuss the options before delivering the pink slip. From where I'm sitting, the lack of sufficient effort to develop rapport and negotiate a contract deal should concern those who care about the ongoing admin. of DU hockey and its future. Typically, the college hockey coaching landscape does not change much from year to year, especially with a coach of Gwoz's caliber, until after many consecutive seasons of near futility. IMO this is one of the worst coaching change decisions in recent college hockey memory...a complete admin blunder in my opinion which all began by DU over investing in their BB program.
I have to echo what a recent writer stated, if Gwoz couldn't keep his job after 19 years of winning, how will a younger, cheaper and less experienced coach (where ever he is) live up to any higher expectations? This is nothing but a disastrous and fatal clash of egos, in which DU emerges as the big loser.
