Re: LSSU Laker Hockey 2012-2013, Part 2
In my opiion, it'll be a real stretch forScott Borek toearn another shot at a D1 head coaching job.While he is an absolutely fantastic recruiting assistant, after helpingto turn around the brown program with
Brian McCloskey for Bob Gaudet, he failed miserably at Lake State. Although the program was clearly headed south two years before ZJeff Jackson bailed out and both his assistants had fled the sinking ship,
Borek, out of respect for Jackson and fear of the vocal minority, stubornly refused to change the Lakers stye of play and it cost him. IMO, he had an abundance of talent that he continually smouthered. We
had forwards who came in with scorers labels who died on the vine and defensemen, my son included, who were known as offensive defensemen who only could bank the puck off the glsss coming out of their own end and not join the rush coming over the offensve blue line. Right now, you can pick a new D1 head coach from a pretty long list of just D1 woemn's coaches (McCloskey & Brian Durocher (BU) quickly
come to mind, ahead of somebody like Borek who is carrying some significant baggage. Bummer................
Did I see Borek doing quite well at UNH as an assistant for the past 11 years? He is still there and highly respected.
And a shortreview of Borek's coaching resume prior to landing at LSSU shows a steady stream of success upon success -- as a D-I assistant and a very highly-regarded D-III head coach. Landing him -- at the time -- was considered something of a coup. He was arguably one of the more impressive "climbers" in college hockey. He was considered a very solid recruiter and did amazing work at Brown (and has done great things at UNH since).
I think of these things when I hear Ron Fogarty's name being kicked around (Adrian coach). For every "Guy Gadowski" type success story in coaching, there are 10 "Scott Boreks." Guys who, for one reason or another, could not get it done as the main man in a D-I program. But that is a risk programs take in an effort to be the best, and find the best. In some ways, you can't be totally Risk-adverse.
I believe you have to try. Scott Borek did not do a good job at LSSU. He is generally blamed for driving the program into the dirt -- and he certainly must partially share that blame regardless of circumstances and situations.
But I contend that LSSU did not make a mistake bringing in Borek, and perhaps -- perhaps -- if Scott Borek wasn't wearing the weight of pressure he mayl have been more free to impliment his own style? I don't know. But after it was decided to move Borek along down the road, LSSU made a huge mistake in not trying to grab the next up-and-comer and bring in a fresh set of eyes to run what was -- still at that point -- a well regarded and financially sound and supporte and attractive program. Instead of opening up the program to a national search to see who would guide this still-excellent program -- the administration foolishly fell back to Frank Anzalone -- who by this time was hopelessly out of date regarding college hockey -- from recruiting, to coaching, to overall program management. Times had changed in D-I hockey. LSSU was well positioned, with a great stadium, great facilities, and still-valid name recognition with multiple top-tier NHL players flying the flag in Rolston and Weight -- and instead the program moved decidedly backwards.
After it was more-than-clear that Anzalone was a D-I fossil who was horribly past his prime, LSSU then doubled down on its Anzalone mistake by moving to Roque. Why Roque? Other than his long ties to the program, was he a nationally-sought-after rising star? Oh, I think I understand the reasoning -- he was cheap, he was willing to remain cheap, he had a direct link to the Glory Days, and he was a solid administrator who ran a clean and trouble free locker room. And as some have commented here and elsewhere, he had some good friends in the community.
Now we are many years down the line. Coach Roque has stabilized the program from the free-fall under Anzalone and Borek's final year. He guided the program through 2009-2011 when it appeared the Michigan Depression might actually destroy all of LSSU, not just the athetics program. His players are good kids, decent students, and rarely cause any trouble. And the financial state of the program (Recruiting, facilities, and most of all fund-raising) is much more modernized than it was when he arrived. And he appears to get along well with the College administration.
But looking at the big picture, the last time LSSU did any serious national search for New Blood was maybe when Borek was brought in as an assistant.
I don't foresee Coach Roque leaving anytime soon.
However, if the Lakers did move Roque, I would prefer a large nationwide search. In my opinion, the program needs new blood, new attitude, a new set of eyes.
