The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

I thought we were gonna get one a day here?

I do apologize, but I've had some family issues which have caused me to not be near my laptop which has the rankings. If I get the chance, I will post one tonight. Otherwise, I'll make up for it with 2 or 3/day. I want to finish this countdown by Saturday.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

#8 - Ned Harkness
Coached at Rensselaer from 1949-1963
Coached at Cornell from 1963-1970
Ned Harkness comes in at #8. Harkness began his D-1 coaching career at Rensselaer, and came to it in an odd way. Harkness came to RPI as a volunteer lacrosse coach (and would have significant success in the sport, winning a D-1 Lacrosse title, and coaching the US Olympic Lacrosse team), but in the '49-'50 season Harkness reignited the Rensselaer hockey program after the building of the Houston Field House was completed. Despite losing seasons in his first two campaigns, Harkness was molding a champion. In the '51-'52 season, RPI lost only 3 games and won the Tri-State League. Rensselaer would win the Tri-State League again in '52-'53 and would receive a bid to the NCAA Frozen Four. RPI would lost to Minnesota in the semis, but would respond with a 6-3 victory over BU. The following season, Harkness led RPI to another Tri-State League title, another Frozen Four appearance, but this time, Harkness would lead the Engineers to their first National Championship. RPI defeated Michigan 6-4 and Minnesota 5-4 in overtime to give Rensselaer the title. They would be the second team from the east to win the title, and another eastern team would not win until Cornell in '67 (more on that later ). After the fantastic title season, RPI would not make the NCAA Tournament again until 1961. RPI would place fourth, losing to St. Lawrence in the semis and then to Minnesota for third. Harkness would coach two more seasons at RPI before moving to Cornell. Starting with the 1963-1964 season, Harkness would coach Cornell for 7 seasons. He had modest success his first season (12-10-1) and then started to make strides. By the 1966-1967 season, Cornell was a power. Led by star goalie Ken Dryden, Cornell went 27-1-1 and defeated North Dakota 1-0, and BU 4-1 to give Cornell their first ever title, and Harkness his second. Cornell would follow that season with three more trips to the Frozen Four. In 1968, Cornell was defeated by North Dakota in the semis, while in 1969 they lost to Denver in the National Championship 4-3. That would be Harkness' last defeat at the D-1 level. The 1969-1970 Cornell squad is arguably the greatest ever. Cornell would not lose a game, going 29-0-0. They defeated Wisconsin 2-1 in the semis, and then defeated Clarkson 6-4 for the national title. Following the undefeated season, Harkness would retire from D-1 hockey. He would go on to coach the Detroit Red Wings, and eventually become their general manager. He made a return to the collegiate ranks at then D-3 Union. Harkness is truly a coach that if more were considered than just time spent at D-1 College Hockey may be higher up on this list. All together at the D-1 level, Harkness coached 21 seasons, only had 4 losing seasons, made 7 trips to the Frozen Four, 4 trips to the title game, and won 3 National Championships. He has one of the highest winning percentages in D-1 College Hockey History. He nearly returned back to D-1 College Hockey in 1978 as he was a finalist for the North Dakota head coaching position. Gino Gasparini would ultimately get the job. If Harkness would have gotten the job and had the success that Gasparini had, he would be higher on this list. As it is, Harkness comes in at #8...truly a legendary coach.

Points: 181.20

 

[FreshFish]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

I've had some family issues

Hope it is nothing serious and that all involved can recover fully with no ill after-effects.

 

[FreshFish]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

#8 - Ned Harkness
Coached at Rensselaer from 1949-1963
Coached at Cornell from 1963-1970

Is this one reason why there is so much enmity between the two schools? I thought it had more to do than with just who 'really deserves' to be called Red.....

Or perhaps the logical Engineers resent the [redacted].

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

Is this one reason why there is so much enmity between the two schools? I thought it had more to do than with just who 'really deserves' to be called Red.....

Or perhaps the logical Engineers resent the [redacted].

I arrived at RPI in the fall of 1964. So the upper classman remembered Harkness and regarded him as a traitor. It took decades before we reconciled with him. There were rumors that Harkness took his recruit class to Ithaca with him (apparently not true) causing RPI to start to sink to the bottom for several years.

One of the high points, perhaps the high point, of my hockey watching career was when Doug Hearns scored in OT in December 1969 to beat Cornell with Dryden in goal. Two years later (December 1971) RPI again beat Cornell stopping their chance early in the year for a second consecutive perfect season.

And

From the Cornell Alumni Magazine Vol 104 No. 4 describing why Cornell's uniforms are bright red
Some give credit to legendary hockey and lacrosse coach Ned Harkness, who came to the Hill in 1963. He changed the color of the hockey uniforms to bright red (perhaps because that was what he was accustomed to, after eighteen years at RPI); other Cornell sports teams followed suit.

(The 18 years includes the time that Harkness coached only lacrosse before starting the hockey program at RPI.)

 

[FreshFish]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

#8 - Ned Harkness
Harkness began his D-1 coaching career at Rensselaer, and came to it in an odd way. Harkness came to RPI as a volunteer lacrosse coach (and would have significant success in the sport, winning a D-1 Lacrosse title, and coaching the US Olympic Lacrosse team), but in the '49-'50 season Harkness reignited the Rensselaer hockey program after the building of the Houston Field House was completed.

From what I've read, this was the RPI Rink before Harkness arrived....

and Harkness supposedly was instrumental in encouraging the RPI President to get Houston Field House built (supposedly out of Army surplus material left over from WWII).

 

[joecct]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

Is this one reason why there is so much enmity between the two schools? I thought it had more to do than with just who 'really deserves' to be called Red.....

Or perhaps the logical Engineers resent the [redacted].

The rivalry between Ithaca and Troy goes back millennia. The arbiter of the first dispute was a fellow known to the ages as Homer. To this day, referees in contests between RPI and Cornell are called "Homers".

 

[FreshFish]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

The rivalry between Ithaca and Troy goes back millennia. The arbiter of the first dispute was a fellow known to the ages as Homer. To this day, referees in contests between RPI and Cornell are called "Homers".

I suppose there is a response referring to one team's Achilles' heel if I were only clever enough to figure it out....

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

#7 - Ron Mason
Coached at Lake Superior State from 1966-1973
Coached at Bowling Green from 1973-1979
Coached at Michigan State from 1979-2002
The winningest coach of all-time comes in at #7. Ron Mason's 924 wins at the D-1 level are the most of any coach in the history of the sport at that level. Mason got his start at LSSU, and led the Lakers to the CCHA. In his 7 seasons with LSSU, Mason never had a losing season, and won 20+ games four times. While they never made the NCAA Tournament, Mason did help the Lakers to the NAIA title in 1972. In 1973, Mason left LSSU for Bowling Green. Another CCHA school, Mason began to achieve NCAA Tournament success at Bowling Green. In six seasons with the Falcons, Mason never had fewer than 20 wins, and hit the 30+ plateau twice. He won three CCHA titles, and gave the conference their first ever NCAA Tournament victory in 1978 over Colorado College to advance to the Frozen Four. While they lost in the semis, they would defeat defending national champion Wisconsin for third place. In his final season at Bowling Green, Mason led the Falcons to 37 victories, and a trip to the NCAA Tournament where they lost to eventual national champion Minnesota. Following the 1979 Tournament, Mason left for greener pastures, and took the head coaching job at Michigan State. The Spartans struggled in their first two seasons under Mason, as they had losing seasons. In 1981, Michigan State, along with Michigan, Michigan Tech and Notre Dame, left the WCHA for the CCHA. Mason would immediately see success after the switch. Starting with the 1981-1982 season until his retirement in 2002, the Spartans made the NCAA Tournament 19 of 21 times. They would have only one losing season in that stretch, would win 20+ games 20 times, and 30+ games 9 times. MSU would make the Frozen Four 5 times, but no trip would be more successful than in 1986. That season, Mason led the Spartans to a 34-9-2 record, and a national championship. They would make the title game the next season as well, but would fall to North Dakota's Hrkac Circus. Mason was a master in the regular season at MSU. He would bring home 8 CCHA Regular Season titles, along with 10 CCHA Tournament Titles (what would later be known as the Mason Cup). Unfortunately, perhaps Mason's only, and biggest blemish, is that he went 22-24-1 in NCAA Tournament play. He is the only coach in the top 10 to have a losing record on the biggest stage. His 24 losses are tied for the most of any coach in NCAA History. Mason would coach 35 All-Americans (third most) and 16 Hobey Finalists (second most), two of which won the award. All together, Mason coached 36 seasons, 33 of which were winning seasons, 30 20+ win seasons, 11 30+ win seasons, 22 NCAA Tournaments, 6 Frozen Fours, 2 Title Games, and 1 National Championship. He has one of the more impressive coaching trees of all-time, which include several current coaches such as Gwozdecky, Anastos, and Bob Daniels, along with several other "greats" like Rick Comley and Shawn Walsh. If Mason had been more successful in the NCAA Tournament, he would be much closer to the top, if not #1. While he will likely lose his status as All-Time winningest D-1 coach, he will always be one of the best coaches of All-Time. Ron Mason comes in at #7

Points: 184.58

 

[Farce Poobah]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

#7 - Ron Mason
Coached at Lake Superior State from 1966-1973
Coached at Bowling Green from 1973-1979
Coached at Michigan State from 1979-2002
The winningest coach of all-time comes in at #7. Ron Mason's 924 wins at the D-1 level are the most of any coach in the history of the sport at that level.

924 wins borders on the unbelievable.

My first experience with a Ron Mason coached team was in the 1979-1980 season. Michigan State came into Grand Forks for the first round of WCHA playoffs as the #8 seed, with UND as WCHA champions, the heavily-favored #1 seed. At the time, the old Winter Sports Building was an intimidating place to play, and the fans were determined to be part of the home ice advantage.

As the Spartan starting lineup was being introduced, the 4th guy out fell, wiping out the first three guys who were standing on the blue line just as if they were bowling pins. It only got worse from there as UND won game 1 8-1 and cruised to the "2-game-total-goals" series win. That was the last time UND had an easy win against any Ron Mason coached team.

Very soon thereafter, Ron Mason turned Michigan State into a destination for top prospects such as Craig Simpson and the long line of Millers that have been part of the program.

 

[FreshFish]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

In the '51-'52 season, RPI lost only 3 games and won the Tri-State League.

and set a record that still seems almost inconceivable to me...averaging 8.4 goals per game.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

and set a record that still seems almost inconceivable to me...averaging 8.4 goals per game.

The 'Tute did play some cupcakes that year. The 21-2 victory over Williams probably caused them to think that the Tri-State league was not for them.

Those also were the days when, because RPI had an indoor rink, that the great majority of the games were at home (14 of 18 that season) http://www.augenblick.org/rpi/h_02yr.html.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

For those that have been following, the remaining 6 coaches will be announced today. I was hoping we'd be down to the final two for today, but family issues had caused me to not be by my laptop to update the rankings as often as I would have liked. Here is my scheduled plan for those that would like to follow the final countdown today (all times Eastern)...

#6 - 3:00 PM
#5 - 3:30 PM
#4 - 4:00 PM
#3 - 5:00 PM
#2 - 6:00 PM
#1 - 6:00 PM

I'm looking forward to unveiling the final 6, and as promised, I will release all 75 w/point values when finished.

 

[sterlippo1]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

#16 - Len Ceglarski
Coached at Clarkson from 1958-1972
Coached at Boston College from 1972-1992
Len Ceglarski comes in at #16. Ceglarski is the highest ranked coach that does not have a national title as a coach (Ceglarski won a title with the '49 BC team). Len joined the D-1 coaching ranks in 1958 at Clarkson. Ceglarski led the Golden Knights to 4 Frozen Fours and 3 National Title game, but was unable to win the big one. In his 14 seasons at Clarkson, Ceglarski had only 1 losing season, and managed to win 20 or more games 6 times. Following the '71-'72 season, Ceglarski returned to his alma mater Boston College and led the Eagles for 20 seasons. In those 20 years, he led the Eagles to 17 winning seasons, 11 20+ win seasons, 9 NCAA Tournaments, 4 Frozen Fours, and 1 National Title game. All together, Ceglarski coached for 34 years, made 13 NCAA Tournaments, 8 Frozen Fours, and 4 National Title games. He only had 4 losing seasons, and compiled nearly 700 wins (672). His .659 winning percentage is top-10, and the 28 All-Americans that he coached is 5th best amongst the coaches in the top-25.

Points: 130.16

sorry to chime in late.............my only comment about this guy is NO ONE and i mean NO ONE did less with more than he did with the type of talent he had at BC mid to late 70's thru the 80's. Check out his rosters. Back in the mid 80's early 90's i think, any look at NHL top 20 scorers had a slew of Eagles and i remember counting to 7-8 out of 20 a lot during those years, then you can look at his wonderful success in the Beanpot

 

[alfablue]

For those that have been following, the remaining 6 coaches will be announced today. I was hoping we'd be down to the final two for today, but family issues had caused me to not be by my laptop to update the rankings as often as I would have liked..

I'm sure I'm not the only one who is happier if you take care of what you need to well before us.

I, For sure, can relate.

 

[Farce Poobah]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

... family issues had caused me to not be by my laptop to update the rankings as often as I would have liked.

Family comes first. Wishing you and yours the best.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

#6 – John MacInnes
Coached at Michigan Tech from 1956-1982
Coming in at #6 is the Michigan Tech legend, John MacInnes. MacInnes’ only D-1 coaching job was at Michigan Tech, and in Houghton, he flourished. In 26 seasons, MacInnes was almost always a winner, having only 3 losing seasons in total. MacInnes took over the Husky program in 1956, and instantly produced a winner. By his fourth season, MacInnes had Michigan Tech at the Frozen Four. In his first 20 win season, MacInnes nearly won his first national title, as the Huskies destroyed St Lawrence 13-3 in the semis, before falling 5-3 in the Championship game to Denver. Two seasons later, MacInnes once again led Tech to the Frozen Four. Going 29-3-0, winning both the WCHA Regular Season Title and the MacNaughton Cup, Tech defeated St. Lawrence again 6-1 in the semis and met Clarkson for the National Championship. This time, MacInnes would lead the Huskies over Clarkson 7-1 to win the school’s first title. Michigan Tech had solid seasons the following two seasons, but were unable to make the NCAA Tournament. By 1965, MacInnes had the Huskies in the Frozen Four once again. This time, Michigan Tech would dispose of Brown 4-0 in the semis, and met Boston College for the National Championship. With both schools looking for their second national title, MacInnes led the Huskies to an 8-2 victory over BC. MacInnes would have winning seasons in each of the next six campaigns, and led Tech to two Frozen Fours in that span. In each trip (1969 and 1970), Michigan Tech lost in the semis (in OT to Cornell in ’69, and then to Clarkson in ’70). MacInnes did perhaps his best coaching in a stretch from 1974-1976. MacInnes would win either the MacNaughton Cup or the WCHA Tournament in each season, and would lead Tech to the National Title game each season, facing off against Minnesota each time. In 1974 and 1976, Minnesota won those matchups (4-2 in ’74 and 6-4 in ’76), but in 1975, it was Michigan Tech’s turn. That season, Tech defeated the Gophers for the National Championship 6-1, in what would be MacInnes’ third, and final National Championship. MacInnes would lead Michigan Tech to several strong seasons, and one more Frozen Four in ’81 (Tech would finish third) before calling it a career after the 1981-1982 season. All together, MacInnes led Michigan Tech to 23 winning seasons, 9 Frozen Fours, 6 National Championship games and 3 National Championships. It has been nearly 30 years since John MacInnes coached at Michigan Tech, and they are still looking for someone who can fill those shoes. The Greatest Coach in Michigan Tech History, John MacInnes comes in at #6.

Points: 193.28

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

#5 – Red Berenson
Coached at Michigan from 1984-present
Red Berenson comes in at #5. Red brought the Michigan program back from the brink of extinction, and has put them back in the spot of premier programs. When Red took over the program in 1984, it was with great hope that he would deliver. He would do that, and then some. Berenson’s first three years were losing campaigns. In the 24 years since, he has yet to have another one. Michigan would have several 20+ winning seasons in the following years, but were unable to make the NCAA Tournament. That changed in the 1990-1991 campaign. That year, Red led the Wolverines to a 30+ win season and a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in decades. They haven’t missed the tournament since. The following year, Red made the first of 11 trips to the Frozen Four, but lost in the semis 4-2 to Wisconsin. In 1993, Red once again had Michigan at the Frozen Four, and took Maine, arguably the greatest team ever, to OT before falling 4-3. In 1995, Michigan was once again knocking on the door for a title, but fell short again in the semis, again in OT (triple OT), again to Maine, again 4-3. The following season though, that would change. Red led Michigan to a 34-7-2 record, and a trip to the Frozen Four. This time, Michigan would beat Boston University 4-0 in the semis to advance to the National Championship to play Colorado College. Both schools had long droughts without winning a title, and the game was a classic. Michigan would win in OT 3-2 to give Red his first title, and Michigan’s 8th. The team was supposed to repeat, and they had an amazing regular season in 1997. The again made the Frozen Four, and again would face Boston University. This time, BU pulled the upset, and defeated Michigan. The Wolverines would respond like a champion in 1998, as Michigan had a strong regular season, and made the Frozen Four, defeating North Dakota to get there. Once there, Michigan would face New Hampshire, defeating them 4-0 to advance to the title game against Boston College. With the Frozen Four being in Boston, and the Eagles having not won a title since 1949, Michigan was facing a hostile environment. The game went to OT, where Michigan would defeat BC 3-2, giving Red his second title, and Michigan’s ninth. In the years since, Michigan has made 5 Frozen Fours, and appeared in one more National Championship game, against Minnesota-Duluth this season. Michigan would shutout favorite North Dakota before falling to the Bulldogs…3-2 in Overtime. Red has had an amazing college coaching career, winning 2 National Championships, playing in 11 Frozen Fours, 21 consecutive NCAA Tournaments, and has had 24 consecutive winning seasons, along with coaching 37 All-Americans, 16 Hobey Baker Finalists and 2 winners. If he continues coaching for several more seasons, and continues to have the success that he has had, he could very well move up on this list. For now, he ranks #5.

Points: 213.53

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

#4 – Murray Armstrong
Coached at Denver from 1956-1977
Coming in at #4 is the Chief, Murray Armstrong. Armstrong began his career at DU in 1956, and promised to lead the Pioneers to a National Championship within 3 years. His first season was not terribly promising, as the Chief led Denver to a 13-14-2 record. However, the following season would be a special one for Denver. In 1958, Armstrong led Denver to a 25-10-2 record, and Denver was invited to the NCAA Tournament. Denver would defeat Clarkson 6-2 in the semis and would meet up with North Dakota for the National Championship. The Chief led the Pioneers to a 6-2 victory over their conference rival, and gave Denver their first National Championship within three years. It would not be there last. While the 1958-1959 season failed to yield an NCAA birth (despite a 22-5-1 record), the 1959-1960 season would see Denver advance to the Frozen Four once again. Denver would defeat BU 6-4 to advance to the title game against Michigan Tech. The Chief would lead Denver to a 5-3 victory and his second title in three years. The following season, Denver again was strong in the regular season and advanced to the Frozen Four. Denver met conference rival Minnesota, and crushed them 6-1. The Pioneers would meet St. Lawrence in the title game, and showed no mercy. The Chief watched as his team destroyed the Saints 12-2. While Denver had a mediocre season (at least to the Chief’s standards) in 1962, they responded with a great 1963 campaign. Denver would again make the Frozen Four, and dispatched 6-2 to advance to the title game against conference foe North Dakota. The Sioux would defeat Denver 6-5 at Chestnut Hill to claim their second title. Denver would again advance to the Frozen Four in 1964, and would again advance to the title game as the Pioneers would defeat Rensselaer 4-1. They would meet up with Michigan. The Wolverines would win the game 6-3 for their seventh title. The Chief had the Pioneers back at the Frozen Four in 1966, but Denver would fall in the semifinals for the first time under Armstrong. It would not take the Chief long to get Denver back in the title hunt. In 1968, Denver was back at the Frozen Four in Duluth. DU would defeat Boston College 4-1 to advance to the title game, again against North Dakota. Armstrong would lead Denver to their fourth title, defeating the Sioux 4-0. The following season, Denver was going for their second repeat under Armstrong. Denver again advanced to the Frozen Four, and would defeat Harvard 9-2 in the semis to advance to yet another title game, this time against Cornell. The Chief led Denver to a 4-3 victory over Cornell, to give himself and the school their fifth titles. Denver would advance to the Frozen Four ’71, ’72 and ’73, advancing to the Title game in ’73 (falling to Wisconsin 4-2). Armstrong would retire in 1977. In his 21 seasons at DU, Armstrong had 18 winning seasons, 15 20+ win seasons, 1 30 win season, 11 Frozen Fours, 8 Title Games, and 5 National Championships. He finished with an amazing 67%+ winning percentage. The Greatest Coach in the Denver’s history, the Chief, Murray Armstrong comes in at #4.

Points: 272.32

 

[BARFLY]

Re: The Greatest Coaches of All-Time

#5 – Red Berenson
Coached at Michigan from 1984-present
Red Berenson comes in at #5. Red brought the Michigan program back from the brink of extinction, and has put them back in the spot of premier programs. When Red took over the program in 1984, it was with great hope that he would deliver. He would do that, and then some. Berenson’s first three years were losing campaigns. In the 24 years since, he has yet to have another one. Michigan would have several 20+ winning seasons in the following years, but were unable to make the NCAA Tournament. That changed in the 1990-1991 campaign. That year, Red led the Wolverines to a 30+ win season and a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in decades. They haven’t missed the tournament since. The following year, Red made the first of 11 trips to the Frozen Four, but lost in the semis 4-2 to Wisconsin. In 1993, Red once again had Michigan at the Frozen Four, and took Maine, arguably the greatest team ever, to OT before falling 4-3. In 1995, Michigan was once again knocking on the door for a title, but fell short again in the semis, again in OT (triple OT), again to Maine, again 4-3. The following season though, that would change. Red led Michigan to a 34-7-2 record, and a trip to the Frozen Four. This time, Michigan would beat Boston University 4-0 in the semis to advance to the National Championship to play Colorado College. Both schools had long droughts without winning a title, and the game was a classic. Michigan would win in OT 3-2 to give Red his first title, and Michigan’s 8th. The team was supposed to repeat, and they had an amazing regular season in 1997. The again made the Frozen Four, and again would face Boston University. This time, BU pulled the upset, and defeated Michigan. The Wolverines would respond like a champion in 1998, as Michigan had a strong regular season, and made the Frozen Four, defeating North Dakota to get there. Once there, Michigan would face New Hampshire, defeating them 4-0 to advance to the title game against Boston College. With the Frozen Four being in Boston, and the Eagles having not won a title since 1949, Michigan was facing a hostile environment. The game went to OT, where Michigan would defeat BC 3-2, giving Red his second title, and Michigan’s ninth. In the years since, Michigan has made 5 Frozen Fours, and appeared in one more National Championship game, against Minnesota-Duluth this season. Michigan would shutout favorite North Dakota before falling to the Bulldogs…3-2 in Overtime. Red has had an amazing college coaching career, winning 2 National Championships, playing in 11 Frozen Fours, 21 consecutive NCAA Tournaments, and has had 24 consecutive winning seasons, along with coaching 37 All-Americans, 16 Hobey Baker Finalists and 2 winners. If he continues coaching for several more seasons, and continues to have the success that he has had, he could very well move up on this list. For now, he ranks #5.

Points: 213.53

does pizzing on the side of a library add or deduct points? ha ha