RPI 2025 Off-Season: HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tony/troy]

Great summary, Tony/Troy, thanks very much. I was born and raised in Troy, child of two RPI grads, one of whom worked at RPI for 30+ years, grew up going to RPI games, and I'd never heard all that.

Back to the coaching search, as others have said, surely this has been in the works for some time - particularly given how quickly the decision was announced. I would imagine that they've had a short-list or target list for a while, too. But even though they need to be mindful of recruitment timelines, I hope they take their time to conduct a really rigorous interview process that finds the right fit for RPI from an athletics, culture and academic standpoint. They have to get this one right.

I'm not sure how desirable the RPI would be. Generally a one-bid league to NCAAs, high academic standards, and potentially some question over financial commitment. But a good hockey tradition, an arena that could be really good if renovated properly, and a school that in general is doing well in sports right now. Lots of potential, but won't be an easy job.

You left out one other reason (probably the most important one) for the job not being all that desirable. It was quite noticeable to those who see these guys in person a lot while they work here. Of the last half dozen or so RPI Hockey coaches, approximately half visibly aged terribly and rapidly while they were working here. Well above the norm in any place that has a working environment that remotely resembles positive.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Today is 17 March 2025. There are 201 days until RPI's next game.


This is based upon 4 October 2025 for the start of next season.

 

[engineerhockeyfan]

Look EHF, if I offend your sensibilities just scroll by. Not going to be cancelled.

I had no intention of cancelling you. You can say anything you want. I just don't see how being fixated on the past gets us a new coach.
I have enjoyed reading your posts for years. Keep up the good work.

 

[DrDemento]

I had no intention of cancelling you. You can say anything you want. I just don't see how being fixated on the past gets us a new coach.
I have enjoyed reading your posts for years. Keep up the good work.

Those who ignore the mistakes of history are doomed to repeat them. (George Santayana (born Jorge Agustín Nicolás Ruiz de Santayana y Borrás). I believe he was in my Freshman class at RPI. This once great program and perhaps this once great school may not be able to survive another 20+ year mistake. At my age, I certainly would not!

 

[DrDemento]

So we're going to condemn Coach Harkness on the word of a TU reporter?!

Why not? In these modern times we find that they quickly condemn virtually anyone on the supposed leaks from unnamed sources? When the investigative reporter said "Harkness had everything well hidden" perhaps it meant either nothing was ever there to be found, or that the reporter might not have been really the 'best'??

 

[Ralph Baer]

Those who ignore the mistakes of history are doomed to repeat them. (George Santayana (born Jorge Agustín Nicolás Ruiz de Santayana y Borrás). I believe he was in my Freshman class at RPI. This once great program and perhaps this once great school may not be able to survive another 20+ year mistake. At my age, I certainly would not!

Could he play defense?

 

[DrDemento]

Could he play defense?

No but he was very out spoken!! Your post however really sums up exactly the question we need to keep asking. Anyone who comes into this program now has to be able to commit to playing the game where defense is the firs priority.

 

[Engineers]

No but he was very out spoken!! Your post however really sums up exactly the question we need to keep asking. Anyone who comes into this program now has to be able to commit to playing the game where defense is the firs priority.

There is a reason Cornell has been so successful. They play great team defense. I agree I think the next head coach is going to have make defense first priority. Bowers even commented we have been crushed defensively.