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New to this site, but not UConn. My insiders told me Cavanaugh had a great interview and also had support from members of the board.
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UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come
- Thread starter AspyDad
- Start date
New to this site, but not UConn. My insiders told me Cavanaugh had a great interview and also had support from members of the board.
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come
The previous quote was said somewhat facetiously. But Cavanaugh has some winning over to do. He is replacing a wildly popular interim head coach who recruited almost all the players on the team including the incoming freshmen, and who just produced the best record in more than a decade.
The Guv is the guy making things happen behind the scenes including the hockey upgrade, he is a BC alum, they are trying to get BC to come play at the XL this year, the two AD's at UConn and BC are Michigan FB alums, UConn dearly wants to play BC in FB again and wants dearly into the ACC. You can connect the dots. If things don't go well, there is going to be a lot of criticism and pressure. I repeat, they better win.
Thanks, Patman. When you put on a pair of skates for the first time, remember to tape up your ankles
The previous quote was said somewhat facetiously. But Cavanaugh has some winning over to do. He is replacing a wildly popular interim head coach who recruited almost all the players on the team including the incoming freshmen, and who just produced the best record in more than a decade.
The Guv is the guy making things happen behind the scenes including the hockey upgrade, he is a BC alum, they are trying to get BC to come play at the XL this year, the two AD's at UConn and BC are Michigan FB alums, UConn dearly wants to play BC in FB again and wants dearly into the ACC. You can connect the dots. If things don't go well, there is going to be a lot of criticism and pressure. I repeat, they better win.
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come
Yeah, the Board is who got us Pasquoloni. I hope this turns out better.
claver2010
*****
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come
No excuses?
High school teams in CT have nicer rinks
No excuses?
High school teams in CT have nicer rinks
No one cares about the AHA title next season. Cav is getting 18 scholorships and his focus for the next 15 months is going to be on getting players in order to be competitive in 14-15...who cares about aha? I mean really? No excuses? Haha
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come
Yeah, we the fans, care. It is also a measuring stick for continued progress.
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come
I agree with RST on tghis point at least. there was a real feeling among the fan base, small though it may be, that the program was headed in the right direction and could very well challenge for the AHA title this upcoming season. With a change in leadership, sometimes there is a step back and a significant step back could have longer term repercussions. I'd sure rather go on to Hockey East as the AHA champ, maybe an NCAA appearance than as the 7th place team. I have no idea what went into the decision, I was somewhat surprised at the choice I have to say, though I can understand it on a certain level. I think there was a real desire on the part of Manuel, the AD, to dramatically change the face of the program. And promoting the assistant didn't really do that. But I also have this gut feeling that he was partly motivated by a desire to put his own guy in there, since he was really denied that chance with the last major hire. Again, promoting a former assistant doesn't really accomplish that. Not sure what happened with Gwozdecky, but I suspect that it came down to money and long term commitment. Hope this one works out, but it isn't a no-brainer by any stretch.
I have been following UCONN hockey since I was a kid (1977...learned to skate and play the game on the old rink..thawed out many a time in front of the fireplace that Brownie kept stoked). I know Berard did yeoman's work this season...but fact remains head to head with Cav as a top Asst in HE he pales in comparison. And PC has some good hockey history. Berard wouldn't even be at UCONN if he was forced out at PC. Gwoz was the popular hire, Berard the emotional hire, and Cab the right hire (for the record my list was on order: Gwoz, Cav, Berard). i know you keep touting how well the team played for him BUT the AHA is not HE night in and night out. I just wasn't sold on Berard's ability to recruit kids that will allow UCONN to be competitive. My basis on that is his body or work in that capacity at PC.Thanks, Patman. When you put on a pair of skates for the first time, remember to tape up your ankles
The previous quote was said somewhat facetiously. But Cavanaugh has some winning over to do. He is replacing a wildly popular interim head coach who recruited almost all the players on the team including the incoming freshmen, and who just produced the best record in more than a decade.
The Guv is the guy making things happen behind the scenes including the hockey upgrade, he is a BC alum, they are trying to get BC to come play at the XL this year, the two AD's at UConn and BC are Michigan FB alums, UConn dearly wants to play BC in FB again and wants dearly into the ACC. You can connect the dots. If things don't go well, there is going to be a lot of criticism and pressure. I repeat, they better win.
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come
Couldnt have said it better myself. UConn fans have been consumed by the job Berard did this year and have quickly forgotten his body of work. Competing against the likes of Mercyhurst and AIC is not even remotely close to BC, BU, UNH, and Notre Dame. Berard failed and failed miserably behind the bench of Providence. The recruiting situation there was a mess as he took entirely WAY to many players from one program. He had begun to do the same thing at UConn too as far as recruiting is concerned.
People can speculate all they want about why Gwoz isnt the guy, but I can almost guarantee it had nothing to with money or the administration. Guy is 59 years old! It would be unrealistic to think he could coach with the required energy and passion at age 68, 69, and 70. Clearly UConn wants their own Jerry York, Jack Parker, Dick Umile, Rico Blasi, etc---and Cav has the chance to be that. The man has done everything to deserve this opportunity.
That being said, I can imagine that there are many coaches in Hockey East who are looking forward to giving Cav a kick in teeth for once as he finally steps out of Jerry York's shadow.
Couldnt have said it better myself. UConn fans have been consumed by the job Berard did this year and have quickly forgotten his body of work. Competing against the likes of Mercyhurst and AIC is not even remotely close to BC, BU, UNH, and Notre Dame. Berard failed and failed miserably behind the bench of Providence. The recruiting situation there was a mess as he took entirely WAY to many players from one program. He had begun to do the same thing at UConn too as far as recruiting is concerned.
People can speculate all they want about why Gwoz isnt the guy, but I can almost guarantee it had nothing to with money or the administration. Guy is 59 years old! It would be unrealistic to think he could coach with the required energy and passion at age 68, 69, and 70. Clearly UConn wants their own Jerry York, Jack Parker, Dick Umile, Rico Blasi, etc---and Cav has the chance to be that. The man has done everything to deserve this opportunity.
That being said, I can imagine that there are many coaches in Hockey East who are looking forward to giving Cav a kick in teeth for once as he finally steps out of Jerry York's shadow.
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come
The ageism endemic in our society is rampant on this board.
Are you absolutely nuts?? I just wish you could join me in about a half hour for my 20 mile bike ride. Age 59 is NOTHING!
The ageism endemic in our society is rampant on this board.
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come
As for your other points, I'm not so sure its fair to compare trying to compare recrutitng to BC to play for Jerry York with recruiting to Providence to play for Army. even when they weren't that good when York came, they were BC which carried some weight in hockey circles. Since 2000, a monkey with a cell phone could have recruited well there. As far as playing AIC and Mercyhurst vs playing BC and BU, no question there is no comparison. On the other hand, he was playing Mercyhust and AIC with a certain level of player,comparable or a little less than most of the other AHA teams and managed to do a solid job. Cavanaugh has actually less of a record as a head coach. I hope he does as well. I think in many ways he is the biggest risk, though he might have the biggest upside too.
I think you're right about Gwoz. I've been saying since he first was mentioned that I'd be concerned about a long term commitment. that being said, I have somewhat the same concern about Cavanaugh, at least to the extent that if York retires in the next year or so, I'd be shocked if he isn't in the running for the job. If he succeeds at UConn even a little bit, he is even more of a candidate to go, I'm afraid.
As for your other points, I'm not so sure its fair to compare trying to compare recrutitng to BC to play for Jerry York with recruiting to Providence to play for Army. even when they weren't that good when York came, they were BC which carried some weight in hockey circles. Since 2000, a monkey with a cell phone could have recruited well there. As far as playing AIC and Mercyhurst vs playing BC and BU, no question there is no comparison. On the other hand, he was playing Mercyhust and AIC with a certain level of player,comparable or a little less than most of the other AHA teams and managed to do a solid job. Cavanaugh has actually less of a record as a head coach. I hope he does as well. I think in many ways he is the biggest risk, though he might have the biggest upside too.
claver2010
*****
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come
Regarding the discussion of it being easy to recruit to BC, having the most talent & best players =\= winning, just look at Minnesota/NoDak/etc.
Regarding the discussion of it being easy to recruit to BC, having the most talent & best players =\= winning, just look at Minnesota/NoDak/etc.
Nick Papagiorgio
Holding court
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come
Seems you're right Dick that Guv made call on head coach. When a pol denies a story it means its true.
http://www.courant.com/sports/other/hc-jacobs-column-0508-20130507,0,1162283.column
Gwoz would have been a homer. I would say Cavs is a double. Good luck to Coach Cav.
Seems you're right Dick that Guv made call on head coach. When a pol denies a story it means its true.
http://www.courant.com/sports/other/hc-jacobs-column-0508-20130507,0,1162283.column
Gwoz would have been a homer. I would say Cavs is a double. Good luck to Coach Cav.
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come
Yeah, I agree that recruiting for BC is a far easier job than Providence...my point was that Berard did a very poor job by Providence's standards... When he left that program, they had BY FAR the worst group of players in Hockey East. The current coaches have done a fantastic job recruiting---mainly Ben Barr. It just goes to show that even a young guy like Ben Barr works harder and has a better eye for talent than Berard. I dont follow the Atlantic Conference much and I personally judge Berard on the work he did in Hockey East---and I feel the AD at UConn should have been judging him the same way beings that is the conference they will be playing in.
In terms of Cav being a threat to leave UConn once York retires--- No chance. He has a good job and does not have noteable hockey alums at UConn who will try to get him out, because UConn does not have that type of tradition yet. The BC job is all set to go to Greg Brown. Cav knows this. Unless something drastic happens, that is Brown's job to lose. And if it didnt go to Brown the next guy in line would be Dennehy, not Cav. Cav will be all set at UConn and I doubt he would even try to get the BC job...Im sure this topic was covered in his interview...
Yeah, I agree that recruiting for BC is a far easier job than Providence...my point was that Berard did a very poor job by Providence's standards... When he left that program, they had BY FAR the worst group of players in Hockey East. The current coaches have done a fantastic job recruiting---mainly Ben Barr. It just goes to show that even a young guy like Ben Barr works harder and has a better eye for talent than Berard. I dont follow the Atlantic Conference much and I personally judge Berard on the work he did in Hockey East---and I feel the AD at UConn should have been judging him the same way beings that is the conference they will be playing in.
In terms of Cav being a threat to leave UConn once York retires--- No chance. He has a good job and does not have noteable hockey alums at UConn who will try to get him out, because UConn does not have that type of tradition yet. The BC job is all set to go to Greg Brown. Cav knows this. Unless something drastic happens, that is Brown's job to lose. And if it didnt go to Brown the next guy in line would be Dennehy, not Cav. Cav will be all set at UConn and I doubt he would even try to get the BC job...Im sure this topic was covered in his interview...
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come
I certainly hope that UConn covered his level of commitment in the interview...As I said I think he is the biggest risk but als has the biggest long term upside. If he is successful he could be a good coach at UConn for a long time. As for the comparison of AHA hockey and Hockey East, there's no question that Hockey East is much much better overall. The better teams are a good deal better. And there are more of them. But the Atlantic of 2013 is a far cry from the original league. It has sent a team to the Frozen Four. it has now sent 2 teams to the NCAA tournament and a 3rd was on the cusp. As someone who has followed UConn for years, there is no question that it is a much more competititve league than it was a decade ago. And as i said, I watched this team under Berard and he did a really good job. Plyed hard disciplined hockey. Played to their strengths. Didn't panic when things went wrong as they often do in this game. And if you think coach Cav will be given a pass for a couple of seasons, I think you're going to be in for a bit of a shock. And I can't speak to his recruiting at PC except 2nd hand, but he clearly has brought a better quality of player to Storrs in his few years here. The past season raised the bar. A return to 15-18, 0-7 non-conference is just not going to cut it. And next year expectations will be higher still. Not in terms of winning Hockey East. there is some realism, but I think people will be expecting to win in the non-conference and to compete in HEA. I don't know where he will end up, but I really do think that Berard will be a good coach somewhere someday.
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come
Obviously you guys want the team to do well in their final year in AH, but this hire wasn't made based on what coach gives UConn the best chance to win a freakin' AH title next year. And if god forbid they ended up making the hire based on that, wow, signs of an incompetent AD. it's all about what coach is best suited to lead UConn into hockey east.
Obviously you guys want the team to do well in their final year in AH, but this hire wasn't made based on what coach gives UConn the best chance to win a freakin' AH title next year. And if god forbid they ended up making the hire based on that, wow, signs of an incompetent AD. it's all about what coach is best suited to lead UConn into hockey east.
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come
Jim, with all due respect, it's still uconn hockey we're talking about. cav isn't stepping into a legendary program/following a legendary coach. internet fanatics might get on him if he doesn't hit the ground running, but he most certainly will get a pass from the administration/reasonable fans for at least a couple years.
Jim, with all due respect, it's still uconn hockey we're talking about. cav isn't stepping into a legendary program/following a legendary coach. internet fanatics might get on him if he doesn't hit the ground running, but he most certainly will get a pass from the administration/reasonable fans for at least a couple years.