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Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Second

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A Letter in Support of Coach Jamie Russell

A Letter in Support of Coach Jamie Russell

From: Johnson, Ryan
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2011 1:45 PM
To: 'srsanreg@mtu.edu'
Subject: A Letter in Support of Coach Jamie Russell

Ms. Sanregret,

I can only imagine that in the past few weeks and months, the hardships and the current winless streak of the men’s hockey team has been a subject of frequent emails and phone calls to your office. I further assume that many of these contacts may be calling for a change in leadership of the men’s hockey program. Because of this, I feel the need to write you in support of head coach Jamie Russell and his staff. As a graduate of Michigan Tech who has followed the hockey team closely since I began my studies at MTU in 1992, I have seen several head and assistant coaches come and go. As part of the MTU Pep Band during my years at Tech, I was one of the people actually present the last time MTU hockey hosted a home playoff series in 1993.

Since I left MTU the wins have not added up as quickly as the losses, but since Jamie took over the hockey team I have seen many positive improvements which bode well for the program’s success in the future. The rink renovations (seats, floors, suites, wall of fame, video scoreboard??, etc) have helped keep MTU nipping at the heels of other WCHA schools in terms of facilities. Taking the players on a trip to Europe is something that no other school can offer and is a great recruiting tool to help balance other items such as rural location, high academic standards, etc. which do not play in Tech’s favor when trying to land top recruits.

As a passionate fan of the program, I am proud of what I see happening with the players. They make grades, they are disciplined off the ice, they play by the team rules, they reflect well on the University, and those that do not are sent packing regardless of what impact that might have on the team’s on-ice success. Jamie appears to be a very hands-on leader and always takes the time to respond to comments or questions on the few occasions I have contacted him. Even as the school prepared to install new seats in the rink, Jamie was not only there turning a wrench with the other staff members to remove some of the old ones, but even assisted in helping carry the seats that I purchased out to my vehicle.

With the strong play of the underclassmen this season, I think it is only fair to let Coach Russell to continue to lead the program even if it means risking another couple years of more losses than wins. As I’m sure you know, there is much more to student athletics that wins and losses and I hope that you, and others who may have influence over this decision will keep the many positive aspects of Russell’s program leadership in mind after the season ends.

Best regards,

Ryan Johnson
Wausau, WI
MTU Class of 1998
Founder of www.JohnsonsJerseys.net

________________________________________
From: Suzanne Sanregret [mailto:srsanreg@mtu.edu]
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2011 2:34 PM
To: Johnson, Ryan
Subject: Re: A Letter in Support of Coach Jamie Russell

Ryan
Thank you for the thoughtful letter. It seems that you follow the program closely. I appreciate your comments and will consider them as we work through the situation. The letter could not have arrived at a better time. Thanks again.

Suzanne R. Sanregret
Director of Athletics
Michigan Technological University
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, MI 49931
906/487-3070
 
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Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

bigmrg74 said:
I should give you more static about just how well MTU is doing overall in D2, but given what happened in football this year, I'm just going to keep my mouth shut.:(:o
Click to expand...

Yeah, we beat Grand Valley. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

It should be noted that The Commissioner witnessed Tech's first defeat of Grand Valley, in Allendale no less, way back in nineteen seventy something. Even if we beat them only once every ten years or so, the satisfaction never goes away! :-)
 
Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

So it seems like the consensus, is to keep Russell around, because he's a nice guy, he cares about the university, but which can't afford to go one way or the other on his future, because of finances.

It just sounds like the heart of the matter, is that the hockey team only exists anymore, is because of WCHA welfare, and can't compete otherwise, primarily because of a lack of money, and can't afford to spend more money because that would put it into the red.

I don't think the university should have to go into the red either, but it's a depressing realization to me.
 
Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

guinness said:
So it seems like the consensus, is to keep Russell around, because he's a nice guy, he cares about the university, but which can't afford to go one way or the other on his future, because of finances.

It just sounds like the heart of the matter, is that the hockey team only exists anymore, is because of WCHA welfare, and can't compete otherwise, primarily because of a lack of money, and can't afford to spend more money because that would put it into the red.

I don't think the university should have to go into the red either, but it's a depressing realization to me.
Click to expand...
I disagree. I've been hearing from the "fire Russell" crowd about 5-to-1 this year, and there are plenty of more successful hockey programs on tight budgets like ours. I don't think that throwing more money in the pot is a prerequisite to success (sure, it would help).
 
Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

geezer said:
I disagree. I've been hearing from the "fire Russell" crowd about 5-to-1 this year, and there are plenty of more successful hockey programs on tight budgets like ours. I don't think that throwing more money in the pot is a prerequisite to success (sure, it would help).
Click to expand...

Well like any hot subject, the side of change is often more vocal, but they may not be the majority. At this point I don't know what the majority opinion is - none of us do. But unlike all the Republicans that didn't vote in the last Presidential election and now whine about Obama in office I was going to be sure to "cast my vote" to the powers that be, regardless of whether I'm in the minority or majority, thus my email today. Then regardless of the outcome, I have no doubt that I did what I could to support my opinion.

As for programs with more success at our budget level, that is hard to say. Hockey budgets at not exactly an open book. However if you look at the WCHA I can say with good certainty that UW, Minn, UND, CC, Denver, UAA are certainly putting more money into their program that Tech and you would be hard pressed to convince me that UNO, SCSU spend less than Tech. Maybe Mankato, UMD or BSU I could see spending equal or less than Tech but BSU and UMD just put up new barns so that leaves Mankato. Right or wrong, I think MTU runs a pretty darn lean operation when you get right down to it. If the WCHA supports Tech hockey as many suggest, and we want to spend more, how long would it be before hockey ends up like football? "Fine, you want a hockey program, open your wallets and fund it..."

Be careful what you wish for...

Ryan J
 
Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

guinness said:
So it seems like the consensus, is to keep Russell around, because he's a nice guy, he cares about the university, but which can't afford to go one way or the other on his future, because of finances.

It just sounds like the heart of the matter, is that the hockey team only exists anymore, is because of WCHA welfare, and can't compete otherwise, primarily because of a lack of money, and can't afford to spend more money because that would put it into the red.

I don't think the university should have to go into the red either, but it's a depressing realization to me.
Click to expand...
I disagree that the consensus is to keep Russell. I think many of us fans, myself included, that have stood behind Jamie for his entire tenure have simply had enough. I know several posters on here that have jumped sides and now believe that a change is needed, in fact, I find it hard to see it any other way. It is significant that many of the people that are now in favor of a coaching change are the same people that have been standing up for Coach Russell for several years. I posted last year at about this same time that we can't get rid of Coach Russell, because he deserves one more year, and if he's in the same situation in 1 year (now), then everything would have to be evaluated, and that I would probably be in favor of a coaching change. That is where we are right now.

The fact that Jamie has been a complete class act, extremely approachable and kind whenever anyone interacts with him makes this very tough, but at some point, what can you do? The wins aren't there and we're in a worse spot than the year before, when we were in a worse spot than the year before that. There is no doubt that Jamie Russell knows hockey better than anyone that posts on this board, and that he is one of the nicest people we've encountered in hockey, it is just too bad that it hasn't translated into wins.
 
Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

bigblue_dl said:
I disagree that the consensus is to keep Russell. I think many of us fans, myself included, that have stood behind Jamie for his entire tenure have simply had enough. I know several posters on here that have jumped sides and now believe that a change is needed, in fact, I find it hard to see it any other way. It is significant that many of the people that are now in favor of a coaching change are the same people that have been standing up for Coach Russell for several years. I posted last year at about this same time that we can't get rid of Coach Russell, because he deserves one more year, and if he's in the same situation in 1 year (now), then everything would have to be evaluated, and that I would probably be in favor of a coaching change. That is where we are right now.

The fact that Jamie has been a complete class act, extremely approachable and kind whenever anyone interacts with him makes this very tough, but at some point, what can you do? The wins aren't there and we're in a worse spot than the year before, when we were in a worse spot than the year before that. There is no doubt that Jamie Russell knows hockey better than anyone that posts on this board, and that he is one of the nicest people we've encountered in hockey, it is just too bad that it hasn't translated into wins.
Click to expand...
I agree.
The hardest thing for me, is the abundance of "what ifs". We've been playing all year basically without our top line and I keep thinking of what a different attitude this team would have had coming off that hot start with Baker, Olson, Royer and Kattelus playing to their potential. A completely different story. Watching Pietila smash into the boards Friday made me realize there's nothing a coach can do to eliminate injuries, maybe it's all just crappy luck. And then there's the possibility of some high quality recruits coming in over the next couple years and I could see a quick return to middle of the WCHA status. So I was one of those sticking up for Jamie, until the team apparently gave no effort on Saturday, while I was off watching a thrilling game from a high school team that could probably beat Tech right now (almost not kidding). 6-0 to St. Lawrence? That was my last straw.
 
The_Commissioner said:
Yeah, we beat Grand Valley. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!

It should be noted that The Commissioner witnessed Tech's first defeat of Grand Valley, in Allendale no less, way back in nineteen seventy something. Even if we beat them only once every ten years or so, the satisfaction never goes away! :-)
Click to expand...
Wow!!! You are old!
 
Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

guinness said:
So it seems like the consensus, is to keep Russell around, because he's a nice guy, he cares about the university, but which can't afford to go one way or the other on his future, because of finances.
Click to expand...

"Nice guys finish last." Leo Durocher
 
Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

bigblue_dl said:
I disagree that the consensus is to keep Russell. I think many of us fans, myself included, that have stood behind Jamie for his entire tenure have simply had enough. I know several posters on here that have jumped sides and now believe that a change is needed, in fact, I find it hard to see it any other way. It is significant that many of the people that are now in favor of a coaching change are the same people that have been standing up for Coach Russell for several years. I posted last year at about this same time that we can't get rid of Coach Russell, because he deserves one more year, and if he's in the same situation in 1 year (now), then everything would have to be evaluated, and that I would probably be in favor of a coaching change. That is where we are right now.

The fact that Jamie has been a complete class act, extremely approachable and kind whenever anyone interacts with him makes this very tough, but at some point, what can you do? The wins aren't there and we're in a worse spot than the year before, when we were in a worse spot than the year before that. There is no doubt that Jamie Russell knows hockey better than anyone that posts on this board, and that he is one of the nicest people we've encountered in hockey, it is just too bad that it hasn't translated into wins.
Click to expand...

It's hard to get a handle on consensus, but I think I would agree that the tied has been turning toward a replacement pretty consistently for the last couple years, with the exception of the start of the season. Is it 5-1, 2-1? Who knows. I will say that the email that Ryan sent in support of Coach was much more professional than most of the comments I've seen for a change. I'm referring to comments at games, etc., not the comments on this board where even those ready for a change are clearly supporters of Russell as a person.

Personally, I could go either way. If Russell is here for one more year on the contract and has that last chance, that's fine with me (whether it's reasonable to expect players to play hard for a coach without long term admin support is a different and valid question), and if he's replaced, then let's see what the next guy can do that the last 6 didn't...
 
Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

Maybe Sertie wants to get back into D1 coaching!

Or better yet, lets get Wooger!
 
Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

oldish husky said:
Personally, I could go either way. If Russell is here for one more year on the contract and has that last chance, that's fine with me
Click to expand...

Let me check... nope, too soon. I'll get there by Friday afternoon.
 
Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

Well seems to me the only thing that is for certain is that it will get a lot more difficult. As D 1 moves toward the BTHC I think it's reasonable to expect that the cost of a competitive program could go up a lot. I would hope we are all prepared for the demands that is going to impose.
 
Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

I had a dream a couple nights ago, involving Tech.

You guys were down 4-0 in the 2nd period when the coach called a timeout. He gave a speech, but I don't remember much of the details. Anyway you guys came back to win 5-4 against a team that started with an M. Looking at the schedule, that leaves MN-Duluth and Minnesota.

Yes, this is completely random and offers no insight, but this is the first college hockey dream I've had in about 3 months and the first I can remember about Tech.
 
Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

So I got bored here today, I know bigblue and I talked about this stuff saturday at the bar but is here is my list of guys:
College Asisstants:
Cary Eades - UND Top Assistant
Steve Rohlik - OSU Top Assitant
Steve Miller - DU Top Assitant
Mike Guentzel - UNO Assitant
Ron Rolston - USNDPT
Mel Pearson - Michigan Top Assitant

Others:
Rick Comley - MSU Head Coach, if he somehow got fired

USHL Head Coaches:
Eric Rud - Green Bay
Mark Carlson - Cedar Rapids
Mike Montgomery - Dubuque
 
Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

I think Russell is reading the press clippings :/

http://www.mininggazette.com/page/c...ll-of-contrasts-Huskies-Insider.html?nav=5062

["People are upset that we're not getting results and I understand that," Russell said. "I'm not going to make excuses, but if people want to be upset they can be upset with me.

"I won't throw my players under the bus. I won't throw my assistants under the bus. I won't throw our training staff under the bus, so if they (the fans) want to be upset, they can be upset with me."]

and

["It's been absurd, the volume and the severity of the injuries," Russell said. "We've looked at everything from how we practice to how we train. I don't think you can plan or prevent broken fingers, broken ankles, fractures.

"If you have issues with pulled hamstrings, groin injuries, abdomens, lower back, then maybe it's something you're doing in your training. Those aren't the injuries we've had. We haven't had minor injuries.

"We had injuries that have cost players seasons. We had injuries that have cost players nine or 10 weeks, and as a young team, that's difficult to recover from."]
 
Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

Gordic, Aaron Pietila, Mikael Lickteig and one of Tech's top four defensemen are doubtful for this weekend's series with Duluth.
Click to expand...

*sigh*

And I want nothing to do with Comley. He's likely to retire anyway.
 
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