OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

[osualum86]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

Dispatch reporter Shawn Mitchell just tweeted, "little doubt that was Oseicki frustrated by status quo of hockey program at OSU, including lack of urgency in regarding new facility."

This. And I hate to say it, but until AD Gene Smith and the university actually make a committment to the sport of ice hockey, they will always have trouble keeping good coaches in Columbus. I would love to get Gwozdecky, but I doubt he comes here with the administration's lack of committment to hockey. It's a sad day and a sad state of affairs for Buckeye Hockey fans. The athletic department has money to build new boathouses, new practice gyms for hoops, renovations to the football stadium, new volleyball/gymnastics/wrestling/fencing facility, but they don't want to build a new hockey arena for our hockey programs. It's almost like they are trying to bury our programs.

 

[duper]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

This sucks. Gwoz will bring is recruiting guru Miller with him and OSU will improve at a faster pace. Gwoz is for surely an upgrade over Oz. But if the AD has commitment issues to hockey, maybe Gwoz will pass.

I wouldn't count on Gwoz, and if Gwoz comes, I wouldn't count on Miller.

 

[Sterling Cooper]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

Effing ridiculous. Once the pedsters are up and running and recruiting the NE, I have little doubt that Ohio State will be the perennial bottom feeder in the BTHC until Gene Smith is shown the door.

I wouldn't come anywhere near this program if I was Gwoz. It's clear that GS wants a yes-man who won't question his fundamental neglect of the program.

Disgusting turn of events today.

 

[osualum86]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

I wouldn't count on Gwoz, and if Gwoz comes, I wouldn't count on Miller.

I am not counting on Gwoz, either. As long as our athletic department continues to make next to no committment to our mens hockey program, it will be tough to get a bigtime coach in here. We were fortunate that were able to bring Oz in here. I am speechless on this one. I would love to know how this really went down. If I were a betting man, I would bet my paycheck that Oz wanted more of a committment from the athletic department and they basically told him to take a hike. I am thinking about sending an email to AD Gene Smith. If I am going to do that, though, I should probably wait until the smoke stops billowing out of my ears. Gene Smith always says he expects all our programs to be championship-caliber. Well, if that's what he wants and expects, maybe the athletic department should reciprocate with a championship-caliber committment to the OSU mens hockey program (and the womens hockey program for that matter).

 

[osualum86]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

Effing ridiculous. Once the pedsters are up and running and recruiting the NE, I have little doubt that Ohio State will be the perennial bottom feeder in the BTHC until Gene Smith is shown the door.

I wouldn't come anywhere near this program if I was Gwoz. It's clear that GS wants a yes-man who won't question his fundamental neglect of the program.

Disgusting turn of events today.

Couldn't agree more. AD Gene Smith is burying our hockey program, plain and simple.

 

[Hockeybuckeye]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

I was stunned as well as I thought Oz had the pieces in place for next season to see where we truly stand. My thoughts are Oz told Gene Smith where he could go and THAT is your unresolved difference as Gene probably doesn't believe he should wear his a*s for a hat!
Another sad setback for our program! I have seen one constant theme out of OSU's athletic department over the years and that is they will NEVER stand by ANY coach in ANY sport and no one's job is ever secure. Also - they lie!
We will never know the truth of what happened unless Oz at some point in the future speaks out about it and I hope he does so everyone will know where the blame really lies (but I think we already know).

 

[THE OHIO STATE]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

I see it as 50/50. AD & Coach. Word on the street about Coach OZ getting the boot is he was very rude to his staff & some players. He always looked like a SOUR PUSS. He was so bitter & he had a big head.

Go back & look at some of my earlier post. I have always said he's just using this program as a stepping stone & his heart was not into the program. This is a BIG blow to his career. I started this topic as a JOKE because of his attitude thinking he's the big man on campus. LOL. He can now go back and Coach at the USHL level again.

Goodbye to the GREAT & POWERFUL COACH OZ.

 

[Hockeybuckeye]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

I see it as 50/50. AD & Coach. Word on the street about Coach OZ getting the boot is he was very rude to his staff & some players.

I can tell you one of his faults I was familiar with and that is he came here and had no regard for our traditions. The hockey alumni were already upset that Paul Pooley wasn't given the courtesy of even an interview for the job and then Oz suspends the tradition of Alumni Weekend where one home series the hockey alumni were given the use of a suite, played a alumni game at the Schott Saturday morning and then get together at the Varsity Club that night and Oz got rid of it and seemed to have no interest in bringing it back.
He also didn't care for the booster Center Ice Club because no big buck donations came from it. Sorry OSU's hockey fans aren't rich like some football boosters but there was a real feeling of family with them and a great relationship with the players. Oz wanted everyone to keep their distance from them even though the club and it's members always obeyed all the NCAA rules.

 

[alfablue]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

I hope some of you can clarify this a little. Many are posting that you need a new rink- what's wrong with the Schott?

I do know that they have to play in the old rink during playoff time (although, that can now be avoided with the B1G, since all 6 make it). But having been at the Schott for the FF a few years ago, that was a good facility.

What changed?

It's not a BB+hockey thing, since Wisconsin seems to be able to deal with it.

Now, if that is true- I agree that Gwoz wasn't the target of this firing.

Thanks.

 

[huskyfan]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

I'll predict Gwoz is named tomorrow.

 

[robertearle]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

I'll predict Gwoz is named tomorrow.

Both Gwozdecki and Osiecki are former Wisconsin guys. I'll predict that Gwoz will give Osiecki a call to hear first hand about the "difference of opinion over the management of the program", and you will hear nothing at all tomorrow.

 

[Hockeybuckeye]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

I hope some of you can clarify this a little. Many are posting that you need a new rink- what's wrong with the Schott?

I do know that they have to play in the old rink during playoff time (although, that can now be avoided with the B1G, since all 6 make it). But having been at the Schott for the FF a few years ago, that was a good facility.

What changed?

It's not a BB+hockey thing, since Wisconsin seems to be able to deal with it.

Now, if that is true- I agree that Gwoz wasn't the target of this firing.

Thanks.

They feel here the Schott is too big to be a good college hockey venue which is why they curtained off the upper level to "small it up" and a venue such as Yost where it's a sell out and the fans are packed close motivates a team better. Scheduling got even tighter when they moved the women's basketball team from St.John Arena across the street to the Schott and they sell less seats than the hockey team and I feel they should have left them where they were. Add scheduling 3 teams around a concert schedule and it's just a nightmare!
Personally I think if Oz got this program to the level they should have been at filling the lower 2 levels were doable as we always could sell 10,000 seats for games against you guys and it could have been the same against Minnesota & Wisconsin.

 

[alfablue]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

They feel here the Schott is too big to be a good college hockey venue which is why they curtained off the upper level to "small it up" and a venue such as Yost where it's a sell out and the fans are packed close motivates a team better. Scheduling got even tighter when they moved the women's basketball team from St.John Arena across the street to the Schott and they sell less seats than the hockey team and I feel they should have left them where they were. Add scheduling 3 teams around a concert schedule and it's just a nightmare!
Personally I think if Oz got this program to the level they should have been at filling the lower 2 levels were doable as we always could sell 10,000 seats for games against you guys and it could have been the same against Minnesota & Wisconsin.

Ok, so it's a usage problem more than the actual facility. That makes more sense. Thanks.

 

[Hockeybuckeye]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

Ok, so it's a usage problem more than the actual facility. That makes more sense. Thanks.

Yeah but a lot of people here advocate a much smaller arena, a long running debate among us. There's also a lot of work in converting it back and forth between basketball and hockey all the time. I personally take pride in having an NHL size arena for our team and it will be interesting to see if attendance goes up and fills it better with the B1G next season.

 

[osualum86]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

Ok, so it's a usage problem more than the actual facility. That makes more sense. Thanks.

Yeah, the usage problem was more about the hockey team never getting to use it than anything else. Most practices were held at the OSU Ice Rink. In fact, before the quarterfinal series against Ferris State, when asked about home ice, Coach Oz said something about the OSU Ice Rink actually being more of a home ice advantage than the Schott anyway. When the Schott first opened I thought it would be a great facility for recruiting. Then the crowds started to dwindle. Having a 17,500-seat arena that is only 25% full for most games kills the atmosphere. The program needs their own building. As some have already alluded to, look for OSU to finish in the cellar in the new Big Ten Hockey Conference, that is, unless the athletic department has a sudden change of heart and makes a committment to the sport.

 

[osualum86]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

Both Gwozdecki and Osiecki are former Wisconsin guys. I'll predict that Gwoz will give Osiecki a call to hear first hand about the "difference of opinion over the management of the program", and you will hear nothing at all tomorrow.

This. After today's events, I doubt any bigtime coach gives OSU a sniff.

 

[Hockeybuckeye]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

This. After today's events, I doubt any bigtime coach gives OSU a sniff.

I could give my REAL opinion of Gene Smith in great detail but it wouldn't make the forum moderators too happy with me!

 

[THE OHIO STATE]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

OSU has issued a release that coach Oz is out over creative differences. How much time was left on his contract?

Wow. Now what?

He was 3 years into a 5 year contract.

 

[alfablue]

Re: OHIO STATE ( 2013 summer talk , The Great & Powerfull Coach OZ. )

Yeah but a lot of people here advocate a much smaller arena, a long running debate among us. There's also a lot of work in converting it back and forth between basketball and hockey all the time. I personally take pride in having an NHL size arena for our team and it will be interesting to see if attendance goes up and fills it better with the B1G next season.

Yeah, the usage problem was more about the hockey team never getting to use it than anything else. Most practices were held at the OSU Ice Rink. In fact, before the quarterfinal series against Ferris State, when asked about home ice, Coach Oz said something about the OSU Ice Rink actually being more of a home ice advantage than the Schott anyway. When the Schott first opened I thought it would be a great facility for recruiting. Then the crowds started to dwindle. Having a 17,500-seat arena that is only 25% full for most games kills the atmosphere. The program needs their own building. As some have already alluded to, look for OSU to finish in the cellar in the new Big Ten Hockey Conference, that is, unless the athletic department has a sudden change of heart and makes a committment to the sport.

I totally see the point about the smaller rink, but I'm also assuming that more crowds will come for Minny and Wisconsin- it's kind of nice to see them fill Yost when they come by- and the crowd is pretty electric. May be a stretch- but I'd be confident that more will show for familiar B1G opponents.

As for the practice and coordination- well, that's very valid, and I can see how Oz can see that as a slight to what he's trying to build. Or was.... But Wisconsin seems to deal with it- so it's not as if a big time program can't do it.

I'm really torn by the facility being able to recruit. To me, while I hate the school down south, I also don't hesitate at all when someone asks "should they be hired?" So OSU has the big advantage of being a big time opportunity school. And recent years has shown that path for hockey players as well. So, outside of the old rink, OSU sells itself- well more than the Schott does.

As odd as it sounds, I'm now more leaning toward the Gwoz theory, that he'll be the new head coach soon. Not that I dismiss your points, but it doesn't fully add up to me.

Interesting, that is without a doubt. To see Oz and Gwoz let go recently- really interesting.

 

[Almington]

Yeah, the usage problem was more about the hockey team never getting to use it than anything else. Most practices were held at the OSU Ice Rink. In fact, before the quarterfinal series against Ferris State, when asked about home ice, Coach Oz said something about the OSU Ice Rink actually being more of a home ice advantage than the Schott anyway. When the Schott first opened I thought it would be a great facility for recruiting. Then the crowds started to dwindle. Having a 17,500-seat arena that is only 25% full for most games kills the atmosphere. The program needs their own building. As some have already alluded to, look for OSU to finish in the cellar in the new Big Ten Hockey Conference, that is, unless the athletic department has a sudden change of heart and makes a committment to the sport.

UW has the same usage and scheduling issues, no way around it with multiple teams wanting to use the facility in different configurations.