MinnesotaNorthStar
Minding the gap
Good luck with that...interferes with WoW raids, I think.On the plus side, their new location hides their smell. Someone should tell them to shower more.

Good luck with that...interferes with WoW raids, I think.On the plus side, their new location hides their smell. Someone should tell them to shower more.
It would be nice to hear the TRUE Dean Blais story on who approached who? why? how? when? where?
Also, it will be intresting when he takes his team to Hoton for 2012 Winter Carnival.
Two points that may add to the conversation, but not answer the question. First, Blais likes to hunt and fish, and keeps a cabin in International Falls, where he was born and raised. Houghton appears to be closer, not only in proximity, but in environment, to what he enjoys.
Secondly, but equally important, is that Blais likes to be well compensated. He didn't come in to high value contracts until his mid-40's. Now he is getting while the getting is good. Hard to blame him. His first "big deal" was in '99 when the Gophers were looking for a coach. UND gave him $125,000 for 4 years, and a private benefactor funded a $500,000 match, in the form of an annuity. Since leaving Columbus he has continuously sought the highest bidder. Fargo was an unbelievable deal, but was upped by UNO. If MTU could have upped it again, money and environment may have tipped the scales.
No children at home and the fact that UMTC likely will not be a destination, makes him very mobile.
Houghton appears to be closer, not only in proximity, but in environment, to what he enjoys.
Two points that may add to the conversation, but not answer the question. First, Blais likes to hunt and fish, and keeps a cabin in International Falls, where he was born and raised. Houghton appears to be closer, not only in proximity, but in environment, to what he enjoys.
Secondly, but equally important, is that Blais likes to be well compensated. He didn't come in to high value contracts until his mid-40's. Now he is getting while the getting is good. Hard to blame him. His first "big deal" was in '99 when the Gophers were looking for a coach. UND gave him $125,000 for 4 years, and a private benefactor funded a $500,000 match, in the form of an annuity. Since leaving Columbus he has continuously sought the highest bidder. Fargo was an unbelievable deal, but was upped by UNO. If MTU could have upped it again, money and environment may have tipped the scales.
No children at home and the fact that UMTC likely will not be a destination, makes him very mobile.
I'm ready for this search to get wrapped up. Let's stop talking about Blais and Pearson, and what might've been. If money isn't an issue, there are plenty of very good coaches we can hire, and we can do some winning without Dean or Mel.
We can stop talking about Pearson; I'll probably keep talking about Blais; when the greatest coach in the country was inches away from coming to Tech, why would you stop talking about that? That's a story that helps bring back credibility to a program that has little to none in recent years and we should just forget about it? no big deal? Or is it because you stated numerous times that there is no truth whatsoever to Blais possibly considering MTU?
I agree that there is added concern with the UMD job opening up but these coaches already know that.
I say do what you can do as fast as you can do it, but do a good job at it. We cannot afford for this to not be the right guy.
I do not expect an announcement this week. I do expect another coach or two to show up for interviews.
We can stop talking about Pearson; I'll probably keep talking about Blais; when the greatest coach in the country was inches away from coming to Tech, why would you stop talking about that? That's a story that helps bring back credibility to a program that has little to none in recent years and we should just forget about it? no big deal? Or is it because you stated numerous times that there is no truth whatsoever to Blais possibly considering MTU?
But speaking of wrapping this up, if this went anything like the Pearson trip, there is an outstanding offer that is being considered by Hastings with a possible announcement next week. I would imagine it's a little (or alot) more hush this time around with what happened with Pearson. Of course this is pure speculation as with Pearson it was pretty common knowledge that an announcement was likely coming the following Monday.
Hastings was described as a short "fiery" type of guy.
No I don't think it was random at all. But lets for the sake of argument say that the next guy in town is Eades, and further that Eades impresses her. Then what?Do you think Hastings was just a random choice to bring in? For one, in this business your past record speaks for itself (and Hastings is excellent), and two I would be very surprised if there is not a connection between Blais being the initial candidate and now his top assistant coming in. Unless there were some major red flags, is Sanregret going to indicate to Blais, eh, I don't quite trust your recommendation, I'm going to interview some more candidates and see what I can find because I'm more in tune to who we should hire?
If he wants the job, there will be no more interviews.
Rud and some of the other USHL coaches are great candidates but the issue there is waiting for the playoffs to be over...Mark Carlson (Ceder Rapids) or Kevin Patrick (Muskegon) will be available as soon as April 28, after their playoff series is over. Eric Rud (Green Bay) faces the winner of that series. Jim Montgomery (Dubuque) and Kevin Hartzell (Sioux Falls) will meet in the other semifinal so 4 of the 5 USHL coaches on my list will not be available for interview until around May 6. Last Years USHL championship was determined on May 12. I do agree that Michigan Teh needs to interview other candidates but if you can bring in 2 guys like Brett Larson and Cary Eades...I feel completely comfortable choosing between those 3 coaches.No I don't think it was random at all. But lets for the sake of argument say that the next guy in town is Eades, and further that Eades impresses her. Then what?
I disagree that the job should belong to Hastings right away.
I think she has to take her time at least somewhat, interview everyone who is interested and qualified and then decide.
Certainly I would love for this to be done in the next week, but you know maybe Eades can't come to town until a week and a half from now. I'd rather she wait and do a better job than rush it and miss out.
I also think she should interview Rud.
Rud and some of the other USHL coaches are great candidates but the issue there is waiting for the playoffs to be over...Mark Carlson (Ceder Rapids) or Kevin Patrick (Muskegon) will be available as soon as April 28, after their playoff series is over. Eric Rud (Green Bay) faces the winner of that series. Jim Montgomery (Dubuque) and Kevin Hartzell (Sioux Falls) will meet in the other semifinal so 4 of the 5 USHL coaches on my list will not be available for interview until around May 6. Last Years USHL championship was determined on May 12. I do agree that Michigan Teh needs to interview other candidates but if you can bring in 2 guys like Brett Larson and Cary Eades...I feel completely comfortable choosing between those 3 coaches.
The last time there was an opening there were 3 "finalists," Penn State interviewed 3 finalists, after Michigan Tech missed out on the slam dunk in Blais and got rejected by the golden alum in Mel, there is no reason to think that Suzanne wouldn't consider a small group of other candidates vs pushing for one, that way hopefully one of them accepts instead of losing face on another almost deal. Penn State can claim Guy was there guy even if the reason he is their HC is because Mark Johnson and Scott Sandelin both said no...we'll never know will we? Michigan Tech can not have another "almost hire."I'll stick to my opinion that if Hastings wants the jobs and there were no red flags, the job is his. It worked this way with Blais then with Pearson; why would all of the sudden the mode of operation change? Because some fans think it should? If she wanted Eades and there was mutual interest, he likely would've been brought in before Hastings. Also I'll tell you right now that any coach who agrees to an interview process, you don't want because they will not be a top candidate. Do you think Cary Eades would come up here for an "interview"? He's coming from UND for gosh sakes. If anything he'd be interviewing Tech on why he should come there. These guys records speak for them selves; they are pursued not interviewed. It's either offer me the job or not.
The last time there was an opening there were 3 "finalists," Penn State interviewed 3 finalists, after Michigan Tech missed out on the slam dunk in Blais and got rejected by the golden alum in Mel, there is no reason to think that Suzanne wouldn't consider a small group of other candidates vs pushing for one, that way hopefully one of them accepts instead of losing face on another almost deal. Penn State can claim Guy was there guy even if the reason he is their HC is because Mark Johnson and Scott Sandelin both said no...we'll never know will we? Michigan Tech can not have another "almost hire."
Also, the fact that we haven't heard anything on a possible offer to Hastings makes me believe there will be other candidates interviewed before anyone is extended an offer. Not to mention the fact that if Suzanne was convinced that Hastings is the guy (and he may end up being the guy), she should have never let him leave without signing a contract.Well you noticed there has been no word on how the Hastings visit went. I think she learned her lesson from the Pearson ordeal. So now we'll likely not know what happened with Hastings either beside if he accepts the job so by keeping it quiet there will be no "almost hire" whether it was or not.