NU Speed Racer
Doghouse Alum
Re: Northeastern 2012-2013 Season Thread: A New Hope
I never understood how people argue over how long a coach should be given to "prove" themselves. Why should we give someone who's failing 3-5 years to turn things around? I swear, we are the only fan base that openly apologizes for coaches and give them the benefit of a doubt for years. I myself have done it, I supported Crowder until the very end.
The fact of the matter is that NU is quickly distancing themselves from their hockey program. It's been happening for the last 10 years. Every step we've made in the athletic department has been in favor of other sports (Basketball getting more attention. Soccer, VB, Field Hockey in NCAA tourneys). Hockey is just not a priority. And that's a very scary and sad fact. The hockey program is still the most attended program. Attendance is still strong, and the strongest its ever been.
The problem goes beyond a goalie who shouldn't be seeing the ice for the rest of his career. The problem goes beyond a coach who while trying his best to get through the season has struggled getting the job done and sends out apologetic emails every week. The problem goes beyond an AD that hired a man with no coaching background as a head coach. The problem goes beyond the hiring of an AD that is clearly a basketball minded man and as mentioned, is too worried with sanctions and political correctness to get things done.
The problem is overwhelming. While its nice to see that people are sending e-mails with their anger in the lack of success of the program, it's just not enough. As someone who's been on these boards for over a decade, you can notice that there's a lack of NU comments and threads. Why? Because the fans have moved to DieHardDogs. Over there, all you get is gum drops and lollipops and debates over lines and only the positively blinded viewpoint of people that actually are fine with 10 win seasons. Over there no one wants to hurt people's feelings in fear for a slightly awkward conversation in the Varsity Club after another 9-3 loss.
A handful of letters are helpful but won't change the culture of "I'll take a 6-5 win vs. BU, and a 9-3 loss to BC. Hey, we got 2 pts this weekend" mindset. It won't change the "It's been 25 years since we won a beanpot, but I got a good feeling about next year." mindset. The letters and outcry need to be overwhelming for a change to success to happen. In my 15 years involved in this team and program, I have never seen it outside of a select few.
Look at the teams that have been building programs in that time. Penn St., Robert Morris, Nebraska Omaha, UConn. Programs making leaps and bounds of progress. Programs that will make the NCAA tourney before we do. They have a goal, they have a mission. We just don't. The program is just a glorified book club for men to get away from their families for a night.
To the point, is 2 years enough for a coach? Absolutely. Until we get cutthroat with the program, we'll be in the same rut we've been in since Fern.
I never understood how people argue over how long a coach should be given to "prove" themselves. Why should we give someone who's failing 3-5 years to turn things around? I swear, we are the only fan base that openly apologizes for coaches and give them the benefit of a doubt for years. I myself have done it, I supported Crowder until the very end.
The fact of the matter is that NU is quickly distancing themselves from their hockey program. It's been happening for the last 10 years. Every step we've made in the athletic department has been in favor of other sports (Basketball getting more attention. Soccer, VB, Field Hockey in NCAA tourneys). Hockey is just not a priority. And that's a very scary and sad fact. The hockey program is still the most attended program. Attendance is still strong, and the strongest its ever been.
The problem goes beyond a goalie who shouldn't be seeing the ice for the rest of his career. The problem goes beyond a coach who while trying his best to get through the season has struggled getting the job done and sends out apologetic emails every week. The problem goes beyond an AD that hired a man with no coaching background as a head coach. The problem goes beyond the hiring of an AD that is clearly a basketball minded man and as mentioned, is too worried with sanctions and political correctness to get things done.
The problem is overwhelming. While its nice to see that people are sending e-mails with their anger in the lack of success of the program, it's just not enough. As someone who's been on these boards for over a decade, you can notice that there's a lack of NU comments and threads. Why? Because the fans have moved to DieHardDogs. Over there, all you get is gum drops and lollipops and debates over lines and only the positively blinded viewpoint of people that actually are fine with 10 win seasons. Over there no one wants to hurt people's feelings in fear for a slightly awkward conversation in the Varsity Club after another 9-3 loss.
A handful of letters are helpful but won't change the culture of "I'll take a 6-5 win vs. BU, and a 9-3 loss to BC. Hey, we got 2 pts this weekend" mindset. It won't change the "It's been 25 years since we won a beanpot, but I got a good feeling about next year." mindset. The letters and outcry need to be overwhelming for a change to success to happen. In my 15 years involved in this team and program, I have never seen it outside of a select few.
Look at the teams that have been building programs in that time. Penn St., Robert Morris, Nebraska Omaha, UConn. Programs making leaps and bounds of progress. Programs that will make the NCAA tourney before we do. They have a goal, they have a mission. We just don't. The program is just a glorified book club for men to get away from their families for a night.
To the point, is 2 years enough for a coach? Absolutely. Until we get cutthroat with the program, we'll be in the same rut we've been in since Fern.
