Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

[626575NC]

Re: Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

Supposedly, Suzanne got in touch with a lot of hockey alumni and got all (or nearly all) of them to chip in quite a bit.

Man, Rick was our AD for way to f-ing long.

 

[JOHN SCOTT ROCKS]

Re: Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

Johnson=>OHL

It appeared to me Johnson's interest in the OHL peaked after the bigger name candidates (Pearson/Hastings/Blaise) turned down MTU and the less experienced candidates started being interviewed. My guess is with Pearson now in, and likely some quality assistants, he strongly considers MTU. Pearson also has his eye on Jacques.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

Man, Rick was our AD for way to f-ing long.

This...is an understatement.

 

[JOHN SCOTT ROCKS]

Re: Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

“No, I had no idea,” Vinik said when asked if he thought the Lightning would win this big this soon after he took ownership of the franchise. “But you know what, these guys have fought hard all year, and I think (general manager) Steve Yzerman and (coach) Guy (Boucher) have done a great job here.

“So nothing shocks me about these guys. I mean, they’re doing a great job here and it’s fun and exciting for everyone and fortunately we hired good people and this is what happens when you do that.”

Give Sanregret credit for not giving up on Pearson; it's what she needed to do.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

Pros are different than college. I don't expect Mel to deliver an NCAA appearance in his first season (though it would certainly be nice).

Even Mel himself has allegedly been realistic - 4-5 years to be playing .500 hockey. Perhaps playing it a little conservative, but certainly not off the mark given our lack of depth at defense.

 

[yooper(UP) hockey]

Re: Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

It appeared to me Johnson's interest in the OHL peaked after the bigger name candidates (Pearson/Hastings/Blaise) turned down MTU and the less experienced candidates started being interviewed.

Ben Johnson should not consider the OHL look at a former Calumet player Chris Cygan played three years in the OHL and never made it further.

Ben should go the college route, have time to develop, and close to home. Consider MTU since he was considering UM.

 

[manurespreader]

Re: Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

Give Sanregret credit for not giving up on Pearson; it's what she needed to do.

Agree 100%. it would have been easy to just go with the flow, but she put in the time to get the right guy. Having a young coach or even an up and coming young coach might not have gotten the job done long term. We had to have the program turned around fairly quickly. And yes wayyyyy better than rick. Suzanne is a tough cookie.

 

[JOHN SCOTT ROCKS]

Re: Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

Pros are different than college. I don't expect Mel to deliver an NCAA appearance in his first season (though it would certainly be nice).

Even Mel himself has allegedly been realistic - 4-5 years to be playing .500 hockey. Perhaps playing it a little conservative, but certainly not off the mark given our lack of depth at defense.

My point of emphasis (hence the bold) was that it's critical to hire good people for good things to happen and in no way comparing the states of the two teams. The one other comparison I will make is between Yzerman and Pearson in that they both brought/bring instant credibility and respect to their respective organizations which has a significant impact in attracting both coaches (head or assistant) and players.

 

[JOHN SCOTT ROCKS]

Re: Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

Agree 100%. it would have been easy to just go with the flow, but she put in the time to get the right guy. Having a young coach or even an up and coming young coach might not have gotten the job done long term. We had to have the program turned around fairly quickly. And yes wayyyyy better than rick. Suzanne is a tough cookie.

There are no guarantees with even Pearson but in my opinion even if the expected success is not seen, she will not be faulted for putting her best foot forward.

 

[Huskiefan906]

Re: Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

All, Celebrate this morning, the quality of hockey player coming to Tech is going to be enhanced. The BI6 conference has only so many spots, we are now finally going to get some of the top end talent and that can only help the situation at Tech.

I was really surprised at the news yesterday, but very excited.

Good job MTU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[oldish husky]

Re: Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

If Pearson is half as successful as Suzanne's last head coaching hire I'll be thrilled. I know, apples and oranges, but still...

 

[manurespreader]

Re: Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

If Pearson is half as successful as Suzanne's last head coaching hire I'll be thrilled. I know, apples and oranges, but still...

Me too.

 

[Burnt Orange Husky]

Re: Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

"It’s not Michigan, it’s not Wisconsin, it’s not the Big Ten," Pearson said. "There’s a number of Division I players who would love to play at a place like Michigan Tech. Your recruiting strategy has to be a little different, but you have to sell what you have. Michigan Tech has things they can sell, like their tradition, a quality education, the unique setting. I think those are positives."

When I read this quote in the Free Press article, I immediately knew that we hired the right guy and that Mel will be a successful recruiter. Bravo!!!

 

[Beer Pong Horn]

Re: Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

In some ways, the recruiting has gotten easier since Mel was a student and assistant at Tech. There are many more eligible women around campus, Tech does a pretty good job of bringing in bands and other entertainment, the number of non-engineering majors has gone way up (if not easy A's, they're usually less time-intensive), and from what I understand the facilities easily meet the expectations of a modern D-1 hockey team. The staff is a big question mark, but as long as Mel can reasonably hire his own assistants and trainers - possibly including current staffers like Damon, Randy and Dieter, but preferably NOT Kyle - getting good players to consider Tech should be a non-issue.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

On the surface, the MacInnes obviously doesn't have the glitz and glam of, say, the Ralph. But how many other NCAA rinks compare to that? None, really. What's most important is the facilities underneath the stands, and the school has spent much of the last decade getting those up to par with the vast majority of the NCAA. Plus, with the updates over the past three years, with more changes likely to come in the next 3-5 (new scoreboard, etc), the public part of the rink is now following suit.

Mel should pretty much get free reign in terms of hiring his staff, since we all but begged him to take the job in the first place (regardless of the "interviews" and "visits" that occurred, we all know that it was pretty much Tech doing the selling). I'm sure he already knows some quality candidates who want to work with him, it's just a matter of who's willing to potentially uproot their family and live in Houghton to do it.

 

[giwan]

Re: Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

On the surface, the MacInnes obviously doesn't have the glitz and glam of, say, the Ralph. But how many other NCAA rinks compare to that? None, really. What's most important is the facilities underneath the stands, and the school has spent much of the last decade getting those up to par with the vast majority of the NCAA. Plus, with the updates over the past three years, with more changes likely to come in the next 3-5 (new scoreboard, etc), the public part of the rink is now following suit. Mel should pretty much get free reign in terms of hiring his staff, since we all but begged him to take the job in the first place (regardless of the "interviews" and "visits" that occurred, we all know that it was pretty much Tech doing the selling). I'm sure he already knows some quality candidates who want to work with him, it's just a matter of who's willing to potentially uproot their family and live in Houghton to do it.

There is no college rink that compares to the Ralph though I heard the new UMD is supposed to be quite nice. I do not believe facilities are the issue at Tech based on many of the rinks I have seen. I believe the issue has been finding the right recruits. If they were able to bring in recruits to places like NMU and LSSU and win a NC then why not Tech?

Only part of Mel's interview I didn't care for was his comment about the great tradition. No question Mac was great but that was a long time ago. Maybe he only said it because of Alumni and the press and realizes he can't sell on that feature at least not at first. It was the reason I was against hiring an Alum as they needed a change, a shakeup. I truly believe the issue is that of the culture of losing and that is not easy to break. Hopefully Mel being at UM so long has enough drive and taste for winning that it will be infectious.

 

[manurespreader]

Re: Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

There is no college rink that compares to the Ralph though I heard the new UMD is supposed to be quite nice. I do not believe facilities are the issue at Tech based on many of the rinks I have seen. I believe the issue has been finding the right recruits. If they were able to bring in recruits to places like NMU and LSSU and win a NC then why not Tech?

Only part of Mel's interview I didn't care for was his comment about the great tradition. No question Mac was great but that was a long time ago. Maybe he only said it because of Alumni and the press and realizes he can't sell on that feature at least not at first. It was the reason I was against hiring an Alum as they needed a change, a shakeup. I truly believe the issue is that of the culture of losing and that is not easy to break. Hopefully Mel being at UM so long has enough drive and taste for winning that it will be infectious.

BTW, I think that Yost is going to be replaced quite soon. ( If you believe David Brandon) and yes the new UMD arena is nice, but it's not on campus is it? I think that on campus rinks have a unique flavor and among them, I like the Mac.

I like what he said about recruiting, but you know I bet Russell said that too. What will get recruits in the door imho is his reputation with the rest of the world on the quality of hockey education the kid is going to get, after that its everything else. ( I think that hurt us with hauswirth and others as well)
I don't think the culture will take too much time to change to tell the truth.

 

[yooper(UP) hockey]

Re: Michigan Tech Coach Search, Part II: Only We Would Need a Second Thread

Mel should pretty much get free reign in terms of hiring his staff, since we all but begged him to take the job in the first place (regardless of the "interviews" and "visits" that occurred, we all know that it was pretty much Tech doing the selling). I'm sure he already knows some quality candidates who want to work with him, it's just a matter of who's willing to potentially uproot their family and live in Houghton to do it.

I believe this to be key to the future. He better know somebody to be his right hand man ie Billy Powers..........