Re: Michigan Tech Offseason Thread I: Not Winning and the ensuing drama.
I wasn't sure if this had been posted:
http://www.mininggazette.com/page/c...for-new-Tech-coach-moving-along.html?nav=5009
Search for new Tech coach moving along
April 8, 2011
By K.D. Warvie - DMG Sports Writer (kwarvie@mininggazette.com) , The Daily Mining Gazette
HOUGHTON - Michigan Tech athletic director Suzanne Sanregret has had her hands full in recent weeks.
There was her trip to Missouri with the women's basketball team for the Elite Eight. Then there was the trip to Green Bay to host the NCAA Midwest hockey regionals.
And as if that was not more than enough, she had also just begun a search for a new head hockey coach.
But despite all the other commitments monopolizing her time, Sanregret has made significant progress in the search. She has been in contact with several potential candidates and had others contact her to inquire about the position.
"Obviously the hire itself is of the highest priority," Sanregret said. "It will be one of the most important hires that we make to re-establish the hockey program.
"We have done a lot of informal work, respecting the fact that other teams are still playing. It's a small world, a small network of hockey people, so the information is out there.
"We've had several contacts with good, quality coaches who are interested. The process is well on its way, with a completion goal of April 30, however, the priority is not necessarily the time line. The priority is to find the right fit."
And that right fit may mean someone with prior head coaching experience or someone who has none. There are a lot of variables that factor into the process.
"As an institution what we are looking for are individuals who are driven to win, a proven recruiter, a proven leader, someone with a positive attitude and strong communication skills," Sanregret said. "I'm not sure that the criteria necessarily has to be (a current) head coach, but it has to be someone with a diverse set of experiences."
There are a couple of candidates on that list who seem to fit all the criteria. But due diligence is of the utmost importance now.
"I think we definitely have specific candidates in mind and we are also considering some candidates we were surprised (applied for the position), so at this point we're looking at both," Sanregret said. "I've been very pleased with the quality of the candidates who are interested."
Choosing the right man for the job among all those quality candidates will be a difficult task. But Sanregret believes the right choice could put Michigan Tech back among college hockey's elite.
"I firmly believe that," Sanregret said of the program's return to prominence. "I think that returning Michigan Tech to one of the Original Six (other WCHA) teams, reestablishing that is a challenge, but I think it can be done.
"I think there are coaches out there who believe it can be done and that's what we're going after."
