Ohio State Coach???

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

Interesting read from the Toronto Sun.

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/03/20/ohio-state-coach-blindsided-by-reports-about-sexual-comments

 

[D2D]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

Interesting read from the Toronto Sun.

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/03/20/ohio-state-coach-blindsided-by-reports-about-sexual-comments

Unfortunate comments from most of the readers.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

Yeah, I couldn't believe some of the comments. I can just about guarantee some of those people this did not come about because Coach was "a Canadian coaching at an American university." I should have just read the story and not the comments. I totally lowered my IQ after reading the comments section.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

Unfortunate comments from most of the readers.

Good luck in the National Title Game tomorrow, or should I say later today, vs Harvard. Bring it home! Congrats on the BIG Ten Title and NCAA Tournament berth on the men's side! I will be glad when this coaching search is over and we have someone in place. We have a recruiting class to salvage and some great players returning. With the right coaching hire, we could actually get this program to the next level. I am skeptical of our athletic department's ability or willingness to make a big time hire, but I am hoping the athletic department surprises me.

 

[ne7minder]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

Good luck in the National Title Game tomorrow, or should I say later today, vs Harvard.

Thanks. I know OSU has some talent & is getting some big guns coming in and I wish them the best. I was not happy with the teams play this season and I will lay that on the coach because in my experience that is the source of that sort of thing. But I really hope OSU picks a winner and that talent produces more success. I want the WCHA to be more than a 2, maybe 3, team league that forces my Gophers to be even better to win titles . Seriously, it would be painful to not make the NCAA finals but it would be great for the sport to have an OSU or a BSU win the whole thing (anybody but UND!). It has to be tough in Ohio where hockey is viewed as less than, particularly in these days where cash is king so football & basketball rule to the detriment of every other sport so I hope the admin does the right thing for their fans.

 

[Puckdrop14]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

Good luck in the National Title Game tomorrow, or should I say later today, vs Harvard. Bring it home! Congrats on the BIG Ten Title and NCAA Tournament berth on the men's side! I will be glad when this coaching search is over and we have someone in place. We have a recruiting class to salvage and some great players returning. With the right coaching hire, we could actually get this program to the next level. I am skeptical of our athletic department's ability or willingness to make a big time hire, but I am hoping the athletic department surprises me.

Like many, I have been following the Ohio State story with interest and reading the commentary made on this forum. I have to admit that I have been confused with your comments on the athletic department administration's performance. You were a strong supporter of Handrahan's, making positive comments about the team's progress under his leadership and praised his recruiting prowess. As you mentioned in a long ago post, this particular coach was hired by the same admin that you now continuously berate. When he resigned, you immediately came to his defense blaming the admin. When the real story came out regarding his resignation, you reverted your position somewhat but have since gone back to making negative comments about the athletic department and question their commitment to the women's hockey program. If I had a daughter playing for OSU, I would be quite pleased and impressed with how they have handled the current situation. They have not made a mess of it like UMD has with Miller. I also believe that they will make the right decision for this talented group of young women and for the group waiting in the wings.

I can only hope osualum86 that the recruits are not reading your repeated negative comments about the athletic department. If they are, they may think twice about joining the program. You would best serve the program by being positive and maybe commend the athletic department for looking after the best interest of the team.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

Like many, I have been following the Ohio State story with interest and reading the commentary made on this forum. I have to admit that I have been confused with your comments on the athletic department administration's performance. You were a strong supporter of Handrahan's, making positive comments about the team's progress under his leadership and praised his recruiting prowess. As you mentioned in a long ago post, this particular coach was hired by the same admin that you now continuously berate. When he resigned, you immediately came to his defense blaming the admin. When the real story came out regarding his resignation, you reverted your position somewhat but have since gone back to making negative comments about the athletic department and question their commitment to the women's hockey program. If I had a daughter playing for OSU, I would be quite pleased and impressed with how they have handled the current situation. They have not made a mess of it like UMD has with Miller. I also believe that they will make the right decision for this talented group of young women and for the group waiting in the wings.

I can only hope osualum86 that the recruits are not reading your repeated negative comments about the athletic department. If they are, they may think twice about joining the program. You would best serve the program by being positive and maybe commend the athletic department for looking after the best interest of the team.

Yes, I defended Coach before I knew all the facts. In this country, someone is innocent until proven guilty, and as I stated previously, I had no idea of the things that were going on behind the scenes. The athletic department made the decision that they felt was correct and I support that decision. In regard to negative comments, as long as we play in the worst facilities in our respective leagues (WCHA & BIG Ten) and the athletic administration continues to have hockey at or near the bottom of the totem pole (I know this because I live here, I am not watching from afar), I will continue to comment on what is happening here. My comments aren't about how the administration handled this coaching situation, it's about how they have treated hockey as an afterthought for years. One thing you will learn about me if you haven't already is that I am incapable of sugarcoating. The athletic department's treatment of hockey here is something that has been going on for a long time, it's not new. I am not the only one who feels this way, nor am I the only one who has commented on the lack of commitment to our hockey programs. I am not going to get on here and say how great our athletic department treats the hockey programs when it's simply not true, and hasn't been that way for a long time. Oh, and I sincerely doubt if a recruit is going to suddenly change their mind about coming here based on comments they read on a message board. I am a huge supporter of the program. I donate monetarily when I can, and I show up at almost every home game, and a road trip or two each season. If a recruit is not coming here, it's certainly not due to avid supporters like me. I support both of our hockey programs 100%. It's the athletic department's treatment of those programs that I do not agree with. There is a difference there. Hope that clears up your confusion about me. I think the reason there is some confusion is because I am posting this on a thread that is about the coaching situation. That is my mistake. My comments are about how the athletic department treats hockey in general, and how they have treated hockey for a long time. If the athletic department makes a home run hire for the next coach (the girls deserve that) and the program gets to the next level, I will definitely commend the athletic department. I give credit where it's due. I will also commend the athletic department when they actually build a hockey-only facility for our programs (only hope I live long enough to see that) and quit prioritizing every other athletic project ahead of that like they have for years and years and years. I do agree with you that OSU has not made a mess of this, and that is a good thing. They conducted an investigation before doing anything because they were burned by a knee-jerk firing of a former men's hoops coach years ago. I won't bore you with the details, but the fired coach sued and won a large chunk of change over a technicality in his contract. Anyway, maybe I should take some time off here until the athletic department hires a new coach. Then you won't have to read any of my negative comments.

 

[ne7minder]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

Bad news guys - I talked to Joel Johnson at the party tonight & he made it clear he is thrilled to be where he is & has no desire to go anywhere else. I still think there have been some good names floated & hope you get a winner but you can't have ours!

 

[Puckdrop14]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

Osualum86 - I am now clear on your position and the "why" of your comments regarding the athletic department. For the sake of this thread, maybe it is best to focus on the coaching situation and we all hope that OSU does the right thing. Don't get me wrong, your passion and support for OSU hockey is undeniable and respected by the readers of this forum. Don't stop. As for players reading this forum, don't kid yourself, they do and if an avid supporter like yourself is down on the school for any reason that affects the hockey programs, it could set off warning signals to potential recruits.

As for Joel Johnson, he's bluffing!

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

Osualum86 - I am now clear on your position and the "why" of your comments regarding the athletic department. For the sake of this thread, maybe it is best to focus on the coaching situation and we all hope that OSU does the right thing. Don't get me wrong, your passion and support for OSU hockey is undeniable and respected by the readers of this forum. Don't stop. As for players reading this forum, don't kid yourself, they do and if an avid supporter like yourself is down on the school for any reason that affects the hockey programs, it could set off warning signals to potential recruits.

As for Joel Johnson, he's bluffing!

Fair enough, and sorry, I just could not stay away! I knew you would have an answer. If we were to get Joel Johnson, currently an associate head coach at a school that has now won three National Titles in the last four seasons (dynasty), I would definitely characterize that as a home run hire and would commend our athletic department.

Hey Ne7minder, it's out of my hands! We'll see what happens!

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

Like many, I have been following the Ohio State story with interest and reading the commentary made on this forum. I have to admit that I have been confused with your comments on the athletic department administration's performance...

You and osualum86 handled your little dust-up just fine. But with your indulgence, let me add a few more comments to the mix.

First and very importantly, osualum86 quickly reconfirmed his status as a positive, constructive poster. As you've acknowledged, this is beyond question.

Second, my take on the tension between the Department of Athletics and the Hockey Fanbase is somewhat different than other Buckeye fans. The truth is that the Department does do a great deal for the hockey programs, and does care. But there are some important disagreements, along with a communications issue. Let's start with a story from a happier time.

Back in the 1990's, then Athletic Director Andy Geiger would occasionally come to the Ice Rink to attend games. He would express public regret over the shabbiness of the facility. Shabby was the exact term he used. Fighting words? Precisely the opposite. He cared enough to show up. He came with an open mind and saw the truth. He had the integrity to speak the truth. He was willing to do something about the problems that existed at that time, and did.

The post-renovations Ice Rink is a much better facility than the 1990's edition, but it's still very basic. The competition offers more bells and whistles; it's impossible not to notice. Then there's the Schott. Wonderful, deluxe, and much too big for D-1 Hockey. And not available for Men's Hockey playoffs, as the Men's program experienced on multiple occasions. These issues are festering wounds that can't seem to heal. One irony: With the advent of the B1G Hockey playoff format, there's no longer a need to put the Schott on hold for possible Men's playoff games. And yet the bad feelings persist.

It would do a world of good if the powers-that-be would simply reach out to the hockey community and acknowledge these issues in the manner that Geiger did. Instead, what the fanbase perceives goes something like this: The Department has done what it can for the hockey community. No further comment. And you get no further questions.

The apparent belief is that conceding there are problems would be a sign of weakness. If fact, the exact opposite is true: It's the stonewalling that's a sign of weakness, particularly in a university environment. From my particular vantage point, I find the disconnect very frustrating to behold.

If I had a daughter playing for OSU, I would be quite pleased and impressed with how they have handled the current situation. They have not made a mess of it like UMD has with Miller. I also believe that they will make the right decision for this talented group of young women and for the group waiting in the wings.

Excellent point.

I would add that Ohio State is a truly great place, both to go to school and to compete in Athletics. Pretty much every imaginable is major offered. Though we're huge, it can be close knit within your department or extracurricular activity. In athletics, we consistently compete against the best. We win our share, and then some.

Back to the Head Coach search.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

You and osualum86 handled your little dust-up just fine. But with your indulgence, let me add a few more comments to the mix.

First and very importantly, osualum86 quickly reconfirmed his status as a positive, constructive poster. As you've acknowledged, this is beyond question.

Second, my take on the tension between the Department of Athletics and the Hockey Fanbase is somewhat different than other Buckeye fans. The truth is that the Department does do a great deal for the hockey programs, and does care. But there are some important disagreements, along with a communications issue. Let's start with a story from a happier time.

Back in the 1990's, then Athletic Director Andy Geiger would occasionally come to the Ice Rink to attend games. He would express public regret over the shabbiness of the facility. Shabby was the exact term he used. Fighting words? Precisely the opposite. He cared enough to show up. He came with an open mind and saw the truth. He had the integrity to speak the truth. He was willing to do something about the problems that existed at that time, and did.

The post-renovations Ice Rink is a much better facility than the 1990's edition, but it's still very basic. The competition offers more bells and whistles; it's impossible not to notice. Then there's the Schott. Wonderful, deluxe, and much too big for D-1 Hockey. And not available for Men's Hockey playoffs, as the Men's program experienced on multiple occasions. These issues are festering wounds that can't seem to heal. One irony: With the advent of the B1G Hockey playoff format, there's no longer a need to put the Schott on hold for possible Men's playoff games. And yet the bad feelings persist.

It would do a world of good if the powers-that-be would simply reach out to the hockey community and acknowledge these issues in the manner that Geiger did. Instead, what the fanbase perceives goes something like this: The Department has done what it can for the hockey community. No further comment. And you get no further questions.

The apparent belief is that conceding there are problems would be a sign of weakness. If fact, the exact opposite is true: It's the stonewalling that's a sign of weakness, particularly in a university environment. From my particular vantage point, I find the disconnect very frustrating to behold.

Excellent point.

I would add that Ohio State is a truly great place, both to go to school and to compete in Athletics. Pretty much every imaginable is major offered. Though we're huge, it can be close knit within your department or extracurricular activity. In athletics, we consistently compete against the best. We win our share, and then some.

Back to the Head Coach search.

Thank you! You explained that so much better than I did. LOL, I didn't consider the little debate between Puckdrop14 and I a dust-up, but I am fine with you characterizing it as such. I wholeheartedly agree with you that this is a great university and a great community, not to mention a loyal, passionate fanbase! We'll see who we get. I expect this to be wrapped up soon. I was just in osu.edu and the job posting appears to have been taken down, which makes sense as yesterday was the last day to apply. It shouldn't be long now.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

LOL, I didn't consider the little debate between Puckdrop14 and I a dust-up, but I am fine with you characterizing it as such.

Well, I guess I should be clear that "a little dust-up" is 100% of what happened. People do use that phrase as an ironic understatement when an all-out mud fight has occurred. Obviously not the case here.

 

[Pens4]

Bad news guys - I talked to Joel Johnson at the party tonight & he made it clear he is thrilled to be where he is & has no desire to go anywhere else. I still think there have been some good names floated & hope you get a winner but you can't have ours!

So he didn't announce at a booster club event that he might want to advance his career elsewhere? Shocker.

 

[ne7minder]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

So he didn't announce at a booster club event that he might want to advance his career elsewhere? Shocker.

Its not the first time he has said that and many of the other times included reasons. I don't think he is interested.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

Well, I guess I should be clear that "a little dust-up" is 100% of what happened. People do use that phrase as an ironic understatement when an all-out mud fight has occurred. Obviously not the case here.

It's all good, Pgb! I really enjoy your contributions here, so you could have said we had a knock-down, drag-out fight and I would have laughed like I am while typing this. I have also enjoyed Puckdrop14's contributions here. It's good to get an outside perspective, especially on a subject like this one. I really believe everyone wishes us well and wants to see us get the best coach we can get. A good Ohio State Women's Hockey program that consistently challenges the league powers would be good for the WCHA. So, we're watching hockey tonight (surprise, surprise). Trying to make sure we get our money's worth out of this NHL Center Ice thing. I am going to sign off here for tonight. Talk to you all tomorrow.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

Its not the first time he has said that and many of the other times included reasons. I don't think he is interested.

Not to sound like I am being negative, but he is an associate head coach at a championship program. I would completely understand if he is not interested in building a program here at this juncture in his career. He has a good thing going there at Minnesota.

 

[ManBehindTheCurtain]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

With the FBS conferences all likely to go to full cost of attendance scholarships for all sports the landscape is going to change. All scholarships, including women's hockey at those schools, are going to be worth more in actual dollars.

Decisions based solely on academics will not be affected but realistically we all know that probably a majority of the decisions being made by women with the skills to be considered for D1 full rides are going to have the economic full dollar value of the scholarships be a consideration for these young women in where to go to college.

Like it or not, money is going to talk, the full cost of attendance scholarship schools are going to have an advantage in recruiting.

What does this mean in the niche world of women's hockey?

Well, here are some schools that are going to have an advantage in recruiting, in some cases, an additional advantage over and above advantages they already clearly have.

Big10 schools. Minnesota, Wisconsin and very clearly yes, Ohio State. And also very clearly yes, Penn State.

ACC: Boston College and Syracuse.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

Not to sound like I am being negative, but he is an associate head coach at a championship program. I would completely understand if he is not interested in building a program here at this juncture in his career. He has a good thing going there at Minnesota.

Agree with this. Also, the coaching challenges, notably in the area of recruiting, do differ between the two schools. Could be that Johnson's background and skillset are ideally matched with his current employer.

Beyond Johnson's interest, or lack thereof, I'm not sure that any assistant coach would be at the top of our wish list. The first two coaches in the program's history had D-1 head coaching experience prior to coming to Ohio State. While the ideal candidate might currently be at the assistant/associate level, a current head coach strikes me as a more likely outcome.

 

[Puckdrop14]

Re: Ohio State Coach???

Had Shannon Miller managed her dismissal differently, she would definitely be a top contender for the OSU position. With all of the noise that she has generated, she will likely have scared away all potential suitors. Can this be overlooked???