Tom Anastos, it's time to resign

[owslachief]

Re: Tom Anastos, it's time to resign

Why would he step aside and forfeit the remaining money owed to him? For persons to ask him to do that is quite shortsighted. It's not going to happen unless there is a buyout.

This is exactly the premise of my thread, davy. We wouldn't be on this conversation were Anastos coming up for renewal at the end of this season. Yeah, of the two scenarios leading to Anastos' ouster, being pushed out is more likely. I totally got that before I made my plea.

Edit note: While in Jan. 2011 it can be clearly argued that Rick Comley was forced out, MSU dodged any major complications stemming from a firing when Comley announced his retirement. His contract ran until 2014.

 

[Hammer]

Re: Tom Anastos, it's time to resign

This is exactly the premise of my thread, davy. We wouldn't be on this conversation were Anastos coming up for renewal at the end of this season. Yeah, of the two scenarios leading to Anastos' ouster, being pushed out is more likely. I totally got that before I made my plea.

Edit note: While in Jan. 2011 it can be clearly argued that Rick Comley was forced out, MSU dodged any major complications stemming from a firing when Comley announced his retirement. His contract ran until 2014.

Comley admitted later that he was either going to resign or be fired at season's end.

 

[owslachief]

Re: Tom Anastos, it's time to resign

Comley admitted later that he was either going to resign or be fired at season's end.

Net result was the same. Comley saved MSU trouble, and MSU didn't have to pay. They're paying now, however.

 

[WeAreNDHockey]

Re: Tom Anastos, it's time to resign

Comely was in his mid-60s, had spent 40 years coaching and had won 2 NCAA titles (including a recent one) when he "retired." Very different personal circumstances than Anastos, who is at least a dozen years younger and has won nothing of note. Most people will not willingly walk away from doing something they probably like doing that pays them at least $325,000 a year either.

 

[owslachief]

Re: Tom Anastos, it's time to resign

Comely was in his mid-60s, had spent 40 years coaching and had won 2 NCAA titles (including a recent one) when he "retired." Very different personal circumstances than Anastos, who is at least a dozen years younger and has won nothing of note. Most people will not willingly walk away from doing something they probably like doing that pays them at least $325,000 a year either.

Agreed. Again, more likely that his departure would be involuntary. He'd have to recognize that as a head coach, he would continue to win nothing of note and bleed the program in the process.

 

[bronconick]

Re: Tom Anastos, it's time to resign

I think Gwoz would ask for too much money for Hollis to consider him. Anastos was essentially working on a carbon copy of Comley's contract before he was extended. I wish we'd back up the Brinks truck, but I don't think it's happening. Not for hockey, at least.

Also, Gwoz strikes me as the type of guy that would get into screaming matches with Izzo and/or Dantonio, given he was essentially fired for not playing nice with the rest of DU's athletic department. Hollis is big on the whole sport-to-sport cooperation thing. I really don't think his attitude and ego would be appreciated here. (That said, I think that personality might be kind of good for the program. Somebody needs to fight on behalf of hockey at MSU.)

Among realistic options, I would want either Danton Cole at the NTDP or Chris Bergeron at BGSU for the gig. Give Bob Daniels a call at Ferris, too. I'm certain Daniels doesn't want to leave Big Rapids, but the call should be made anyway.

Personally, I like Tom. He's a good guy and a good Spartan. He's also a good ambassador for the hockey program. But I have no more patience after that horrible GLI. He's had five years, which is proper time to show what direction the program is going. The line is trending through the floor right now. Also, he has completely lost this team.

I think it's time. I don't know if Hollis thinks it's time, though. This is his pet project, and I don't think he's willing -- at least, not at this stage -- to have his name attached to the failure of a revenue sport, even if it's one that's not held in particularly high esteem on campus right now. Anastos was the only guy interviewed for the job, in part, because Hollis really thought this approach would work. He's married to it. I don't think he's going to be the one filing the divorce papers, at least not within the next 12 months.

Given the gold mine that is the BTN, that's pretty **** sad.

 

[davyd83]

Re: Tom Anastos, it's time to resign

I like the Bergeron call.

While I would agree with you were it 3 or 4 years into TA's contract, Hollis wouldn't lose face if letting the guy go comes at the end of the original contract. There would be a penalty, for sure. But right now the program is on the verge of hemorrhaging money, so it's either a cut-your-losses sort of thing, or the coach himself realizes it's time to step aside.

Why would Bergeron want to leave BG for MSU?

 

[WeAreNDHockey]

Re: Tom Anastos, it's time to resign

Why would Bergeron want to leave BG for MSU?

MSU has the potential to be a much better program than BGSU. The very viability of their program was in doubt 3 years ago with all the conference shifting. MSU has certainly fallen from the heights they reached under Mason and for the most part Comely, but no one has questioned the future existence of their hockey program. MSU is paying Anasto twice what BGSU is paying Bergeron. My guess is if MSU fires Anastos and replaces him with a proven, winning NCAA coach, they would probably find it necessary to pay him even more than the $325,000 they are paying Anastos. Nothing against BGSU, but I think making $170,000 to coach there versus doubling his salary at MSU wouldn't be a very tough decision.

 

[davyd83]

Re: Tom Anastos, it's time to resign

MSU has the potential to be a much better program than BGSU. The very viability of their program was in doubt 3 years ago with all the conference shifting. MSU has certainly fallen from the heights they reached under Mason and for the most part Comely, but no one has questioned the future existence of their hockey program. MSU is paying Anasto twice what BGSU is paying Bergeron. My guess is if MSU fires Anastos and replaces him with a proven, winning NCAA coach, they would probably find it necessary to pay him even more than the $325,000 they are paying Anastos. Nothing against BGSU, but I think making $170,000 to coach there versus doubling his salary at MSU wouldn't be a very tough decision.

The $250,000 buyout in Bergeron's BG contract might be a bit of a deterrent. That buyout drops to $150,000 after the 2017-18 season.

 

[sm2pk]

Re: Tom Anastos, it's time to resign

After hiring Anastos ,you have to ask yourself if anyone at MSU even knows much about hockey since Comley left .

 

[owslachief]

After hiring Anastos ,you have to ask yourself if anyone at MSU even knows much about hockey since Comley left .

I'm sure there're are still a few left who know the game. The AD and Trustees need to get a clue though.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

The $250,000 buyout in Bergeron's BG contract might be a bit of a deterrent.

Or, as MSU would call it if they were actually interested in hiring him, "a pittance".

You guys have pigskin and roundball. I think that's quite enough.

 

[davyd83]

Or, as MSU would call it if they were actually interested in hiring him, "a pittance".

You guys have pigskin and roundball. I think that's quite enough.

Are you sure that, when coupled with a buyout of Anastos, really is a "pittance" for MSU hockey? It might be for football or basketball, but it's not for hockey.

 

[streaker]

Re: Tom Anastos, it's time to resign

Why would Bergeron want to leave BG for MSU?

BGSU's program was on life support when he came in- and has done a really fine job bringing them back, but MSU does offer a little more visibility I would think. Hollis has his hands full with the revenue programs, but hockey at MSU does have a solid tradition and maybe a few more dollars to offer.

 

[MGoBlueHockey]

Re: Tom Anastos, it's time to resign

After hiring Anastos ,you have to ask yourself if anyone at MSU even knows much about hockey since Comley left .

I thought it was a joke when he got hired. I had to check the calendar to make sure it wasn't April 1st. Dude was literally a month removed from presenting Michigan with the CCHA Championship trophy at Yost.

 

[sm2pk]

Re: Tom Anastos, it's time to resign

When MSU hired Tom Anastos I kept asking myself why would a major hockey program with a huge following and a tremendous program hire a coach with a club hockey resume . What is the real story behind his hiring? There has to be something that I am missing on this hire . Did MSU feel Anastos was the cheapest hire they could get ?

 

[wolverineTrumpet]

Re: Tom Anastos, it's time to resign

When MSU hired Tom Anastos I kept asking myself why would a major hockey program with a huge following and a tremendous program hire a coach with a club hockey resume . What is the real story behind his hiring? There has to be something that I am missing on this hire . Did MSU feel Anastos was the cheapest hire they could get ?

I'm surprised one of the NMU fans hasn't yet suggested the Anastos hire as a bribe/kickback for all the "preferential treatment" the CCHA gave State and Michigan while Anastos was commissioner (and well, always).

As a fan of a rival school, I'm happy with the Anastos hire. For a season we had even added a verse to our "if you can't get into college, go to State" cheer: "if you can't be a commissioner, go to State".

 

[Spartanforlife4]

Re: Tom Anastos, it's time to resign

When MSU hired Tom Anastos I kept asking myself why would a major hockey program with a huge following and a tremendous program hire a coach with a club hockey resume . What is the real story behind his hiring? There has to be something that I am missing on this hire . Did MSU feel Anastos was the cheapest hire they could get ?

Hollis likes to be innovative and go outside the box. Cold War, BasketBowl, Aircraft Carrier games, two 8 team Phil Knight "birthday gift" tournaments next season, a "barnstorming" tour in the next few years for basketball. Plus, although Ron Mason was AD at the time, Hollis was behind the hiring of Dantonio and WBB coach Merchant, both of whom have been very good.

Many viewed the Anastos hiring as strange, but figured Hollis knew what he was doing. Obviously it now appears to be a failed experiment. Like the Aircraft Carrier game, it had a good first season and quickly went downhill.

 

[owslachief]

Re: Tom Anastos, it's time to resign

I had to check the calendar to make sure it wasn't April 1st. Dude was literally a month removed from presenting Michigan with the CCHA Championship trophy at Yost.

Dude was literally a month removed from presenting Michigan with the CCHA Championship trophy at Yost.

 

[aparch]

Re: Tom Anastos, it's time to resign

I'm surprised one of the NMU fans hasn't yet suggested the Anastos hire as a bribe/kickback for all the "preferential treatment" the CCHA gave State and Michigan while Anastos was commissioner (and well, always).

Because we know better than that.

NMU has long enjoyed screwing over Michigan State on their own. It was the 2008 playoffs where NMU took State to OT in game three and won, causing Anastos to be visibly upset in the Munn press box.

1999 - CCHA Semifinal (@JLA): Beat MSU 5-3.
2002 - CCHA Quarterfinal (@JLA): Lost to MSU 2-1.
2003 - CCHA Quarterfinal (@JLA): Beat MSU 7-5 on some fluky goals (I believe this game the Magnificent tipped one in on his own net).
2004 - CCHA Quarterfinal (@JLA): Beat MSU 2-1 in the CCHA Quarterfinal.
2008 - CCHA Second Round (@Munn): Took a 5-1 thumping from State, squeaked out a 2-1 win to tie the series, Beat MSU in OT in game three. Anastos disgusted.
2009 - CCHA First Round (@BEC): Swept State in two games by a combined 13-to-5 goals.

The 'Cats can hold their own against Sparty. Even when Anastos was pulling the CCHA's strings.