The Great Badger Coaching Search of '23: Start Drinking Heavily

[njmav1]

If you got a Todd Knott as a midwest recruiter with a huge raise to come as Associate Head Coach, and Eastern coach with good systems could work IMO.

Maybe, but he's already an associate head coach. I think it's more likely that Knott's next move is for a head coach position.

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Crazy that’s been 17 years and we’ve basically had 2010 and nothing since for ncaa success. When’s the last ncaa tourney game they actually won? Is it 2010? Oof it’s been a terrible last decade.

Three NCAA appearances since Ford Field (13, 14, 21).

Every one of them were one and done.

 

[digitalbooya]

Is the job posting up yet?

 

[J.D.]

Based on zero facts I will bet that we get Hastings.

Contrary to what people seem to think here I would applaud this move for you guys if it happens. I mentioned a list of guys, not just Steve Rohlik. Mich, Mich State, BC and BU all went with former players/alums. So this would break that trend if it happens.

 

[Lost_Husky]

Maybe, but he's already an associate head coach. I think it's more likely that Knott's next move is for a head coach position.

IMO Knott should be on your list. I don't see how you'll get Hastings out of Mankato, but I could be wrong.

If you want to make a deal with the devil, there is a certain former B1G HC out there who rebuilt one hockey program and took a B1G school to the NCAA championship game. His baggage would/should disqualify him from consideration, but if you want a HC that has the resume, he is the only person out there. Everyone else would need to be pried away or doesn't have the track record.

 

[WiscTJK]

IMO Knott should be on your list. I don't see how you'll get Hastings out of Mankato, but I could be wrong.

If you want to make a deal with the devil, there is a certain former B1G HC out there who rebuilt one hockey program and took a B1G school to the NCAA championship game. His baggage would/should disqualify him from consideration, but if you want a HC that has the resume, he is the only person out there. Everyone else would need to be pried away or doesn't have the track record.

Mel Pearson. He spoke at a Wis Hockey Backers Luncheon 3 or so years ago and seemed like a good guy. But the baggage from the last couple years is there. And he's 63.

 

[GoBucky18]

Conceivably there is a path where Mankato does not get into the tourney based on the pairwise probability. If Michigan Tech beats them in the CCHA champ game, it increases those odds significantly.

If that is the case, I would say Wisconsin certainly will be engaging Hastings or Knott pretty quickly.

 

[Lost_Husky]

Mel Pearson. He spoke at a Wis Hockey Backers Luncheon 3 or so years ago and seemed like a good guy. But the baggage from the last couple years is there. And he's 63.

His mentor, Red, coached until he was well into his 70's. I'm not a fan and couldn't imagine a large percentage of Madison being initially happy with him, but he is a name that is out there and seems to want to get back into coaching.

 

[GoBucky18]

Mel Pearson. He spoke at a Wis Hockey Backers Luncheon 3 or so years ago and seemed like a good guy. But the baggage from the last couple years is there. And he's 63.

I don't think WI woukd touch Pearson with a 12ft pole. It hasn't been long enough for people to let that go...and WI would never make a hire that would "tarnish the brand".

Not saying that is right wrong or indifferent. Just seems to me how the AD/Board of Trustees operates.

 

[J.D.]

His mentor, Red, coached until he was well into his 70's. I'm not a fan and couldn't imagine a large percentage of Madison being initially happy with him, but he is a name that is out there and seems to want to get back into coaching.

If the attraction is that Mel did a good job at Michigan Tech, Wisconsin could just look into Shawhan instead. A few years younger, no baggage and also doing a very good job.

 

[Lost_Husky]

If the attraction is that Mel did a good job at Michigan Tech, Wisconsin could just look into Shawhan instead. A few years younger, no baggage and also doing a very good job.

Not at Tech* but what he did at Michigan. (top recruits never finished worse than 5th in the B1G, NCAA Frozen 4, .594 win percentage.) Personally I think he is radioactive and wouldn't want him as a coach. I'm not one who thinks Wisconsin is a top hockey program/job. From the posters here (yes, I know this is a dream list), D1 HC experience, good recruiter, consistent success, a record of going toe-to-toe with the top programs, and NCAA tournament success. There aren't many coaches available that fit that bill.

I love Joe and he is a hell of a coach. Joe is too honest and has a view of things that I don't think would work in Madison. If you wonder why, go listen to a few Joe Shows.

*A good number of Tech fans thinks said coach lucked into a good thing. The university increased spending. The previous coach was a great recruiter and was gifted an all-American local kid and a pitbull of a captain. The WCHA 2.0 formed which greatly lowered the SOS.

 

[Timothy A]

Mel Pearson. He spoke at a Wis Hockey Backers Luncheon 3 or so years ago and seemed like a good guy. But the baggage from the last couple years is there. And he's 63.

Is Mel getting all those top end players him being so awesome of a recruiter and coach or the reputation of the school in regards to being a hockey player machine? I'd agree that the baggage is something UW wants no part of, even if not entirely true. Back the Brinks truck up to Hasting's house and hand him the keys.

 

[digitalbooya]

I'm not one who thinks Wisconsin is a top hockey program/job.

How is it not a top job?

 

[markwojo]

Sad to see a prominent alum like Granato fail and wish him well moving forward. Exciting to have the hope of a new direction with the management deciding to move on from him.

I would be happy with Dan Muse from the NDPT. Realtively young at 40. NDTP is a critical recruiting pipeline that we have a few guys incoming/lined up and could use an upgrade in results from going forward. NHL assistant where there was success at Nashville, assistant for a nation champ in college, and head coach that won a championship in the USHL is a pretty good track record of results. Line him up with an assistant that has some roots in recruiting Western Canada and I would be quite happy.

Carle and Hastings are not coming. Why would Carle leave his alma mater which he has running as a top 5 program in the country to rebuild a program he has no ties to? If you are throwing out Carle's name, you might as well toss out Scotty Bowman as it is just as likely (as in not). Hastings has had plenty of programs kick the tires on him and has not left in 11 seasons....so why now at age 57? I suppose Wisconsin could pay more, has a bigger budget and deeper history....but I'm not seeing it. Rohlik would be a solid hire....but something there is not overly exciting for me. Mid 50's and the Badger alum thing at this point I am over as the last 2 stabs at that have not been what any had hoped for as far as results.

Whoever it is, hopefully they can develop some level of concistant success. Haven't been to a game since dropping my season tickets of 15+ years several years ago. Would be nice to want to go because there is a decent product on the ice again.

 

[WiscTJK]

Sad to see a prominent alum like Granato fail and wish him well moving forward. Exciting to have the hope of a new direction with the management deciding to move on from him.

I would be happy with Dan Muse from the NDPT. Realtively young at 40. NDTP is a critical recruiting pipeline that we have a few guys incoming/lined up and could use an upgrade in results from going forward. NHL assistant where there was success at Nashville, assistant for a nation champ in college, and head coach that won a championship in the USHL is a pretty good track record of results. Line him up with an assistant that has some roots in recruiting Western Canada and I would be quite happy.

Carle and Hastings are not coming. Why would Carle leave his alma mater which he has running as a top 5 program in the country to rebuild a program he has no ties to? If you are throwing out Carle's name, you might as well toss out Scotty Bowman as it is just as likely (as in not). Hastings has had plenty of programs kick the tires on him and has not left in 11 seasons....so why now at age 57? I suppose Wisconsin could pay more, has a bigger budget and deeper history....but I'm not seeing it. Rohlik would be a solid hire....but something there is not overly exciting for me. Mid 50's and the Badger alum thing at this point I am over as the last 2 stabs at that have not been what any had hoped for as far as results.

Whoever it is, hopefully they can develop some level of concistant success. Haven't been to a game since dropping my season tickets of 15+ years several years ago. Would be nice to want to go because there is a decent product on the ice again.

I agree entirely with your post. I also like Dan Muse after poking around on him a bit yesterday. It is an interesting time for sure.

 

[Lost_Husky]

How is it not a top job?

On other boards, when hockey fans talk about hockey blue bloods/top jobs BC, BU, Minnesota, Michigan, Denver, and North Dakota along with UMD/SCSU are sometimes mentioned. Wisconsin is never mentioned.

Could it be a top job, yes. Right now is it, no.

 

[Notoscar]

Blue blood (I think so)......but Wisc is on the edge... one that MSU fell off.... before you know it, you're not

 

[J.D.]

Muse does have experience everywhere. Maybe the biggest thing in his favor is what Yale was when he was there and what it has become without him. Won a championship as HC in USHL, NHL assistant, USNTDP...guy does have it all on his resume and still only 40 years old.

 

[WiscTJK]

Blue blood (I think so)......but Wisc is on the edge... one that MSU fell off.... before you know it, you're not

Very true. 13 years of mediocre / crappy hockey will do that. But we have a sleeping giant here where there is heavy support for a good team. Attendance is still top 5 in the nation I think. EDIT 3rd actually of tickets sold. Butts in the seats was much less this year, worst I have ever seen it for that matter.

 

[digitalbooya]

Very true. 13 years of mediocre / crappy hockey will do that. But we have a sleeping giant here where there is heavy support for a good team. Attendance is still top 5 in the nation I think. EDIT 3rd actually of tickets sold. Butts in the seats was much less this year, worst I have ever seen it for that matter.

Which coach has a big enough bat to wake the giant. Stay tuned