UNH Hockey 2023 Off Season Thread Turn and Face the Strange

[Chuck Murray]

Off topic, but here is today's Union Leader item on Coach Herrion, with some insight into his year under the new AD ...

https://www.unionleader.com/sports/...cle_caee19df-529a-55bf-b41d-17d77b0df758.html

“I knew going into this year that this was the last year on my contract. I’ve been in this business long enough to understand what that means. Then when you have change at the top (Allison Rich replaced Marty Scarano as UNH’s athletic director in 2022) there’s not a lot of security.”

Herrion said he believes the decision to not renew his contract was made prior to the start of the 2022-23 season.

“There were some signs,” he said. “What was disappointing is that no one at the beginning of the year administratively ever sat me down and gave me parameters as far as, ‘You can keep your job if you do this.’ Nothing. It was a very difficult year to coach.”

One would have to think that if MS7 doesn't regularly read the U-L, someone should at least show him this piece ...

 

[Sean Pickett]

Is this a new thing for Coach Borek? I don’t recall this or really any other vibe from him before.

Coach Pandolfo’s personality looked to be all business. In a scary kind of way.

I have no idea about Coach Borek, as I only have the 2 games this weekend to go on.

As for Coach Pandolfo, that's an interesting thought.

Sean

 

[Darius]

Off topic, but here is today's Union Leader item on Coach Herrion, with some insight into his year under the new AD ...

https://www.unionleader.com/sports/...cle_caee19df-529a-55bf-b41d-17d77b0df758.html

“I knew going into this year that this was the last year on my contract. I’ve been in this business long enough to understand what that means. Then when you have change at the top (Allison Rich replaced Marty Scarano as UNH’s athletic director in 2022) there’s not a lot of security.”

Herrion said he believes the decision to not renew his contract was made prior to the start of the 2022-23 season.

“There were some signs,” he said. “What was disappointing is that no one at the beginning of the year administratively ever sat me down and gave me parameters as far as, ‘You can keep your job if you do this.’ Nothing. It was a very difficult year to coach.”

One would have to think that if MS7 doesn't regularly read the U-L, someone should at least show him this piece ...

Enlightening article. Thanks. Good journalism, too The bold is extremely disappointing.

 

[RENCEB]

Supposedly 20 fan busses!!! Yes they were there in force...and wishing them well tonight! Was a late night with the OTs but worth it. Hope that BU player is ok...

I'm all for officials putting their whistles away...to some extent. I wonder if they'll bring them at all for tonight!!

Let's goooo 'Mack!!

Boy, imagine how good Merrimack would be if they had a decent rink, right Chuck? ;-)

Really appreciate the support from the UNH faithful. Would be great to see UNH to get back to hockey prominence (okay, small steps, back to middle of the pack?) I remember watching Ralph Cox, Rod Langway, and Bob Miller when you could get a grainy feed on some random channel. UNH always managed to pick up some guys from the Boston area who slipped through the BC/BU cracks. The Reading guys, Sean Collins and Steve Saviano, Bobby Butler from Marlboro and Souza from Wakefield. There's tremendous history in your program, and it is sad to see it in it's current state.
I hope you can find someone to right the ship, but no, you can't have Scott Borek back!

 

[Snively65]

Boy, imagine how good Merrimack would be if they had a decent rink, right Chuck? ;-)

Really appreciate the support from the UNH faithful. Would be great to see UNH to get back to hockey prominence (okay, small steps, back to middle of the pack?) I remember watching Ralph Cox, Rod Langway, and Bob Miller when you could get a grainy feed on some random channel. UNH always managed to pick up some guys from the Boston area who slipped through the BC/BU cracks. The Reading guys, Sean Collins and Steve Saviano, Bobby Butler from Marlboro and Souza from Wakefield. There's tremendous history in your program, and it is sad to see it in it's current state.
I hope you can find someone to right the ship, but no, you can't have Scott Borek back!

I do not think that many UNH fans here were clamoring for Borek to succeed Umile. But neither were many in favor of the succession plan that was made for Souza. Need a real national search next time around, whenever that might be, which would be the first since Rube Bjorkman was hired. Who? When?

 

[Chuck Murray]

Boy, imagine how good Merrimack would be if they had a decent rink, right Chuck? ;-)

I have nothing but admiration for anything Merrimack can accomplish in that homely little HS facility of yours. ;-)

Really appreciate the support from the UNH faithful. Would be great to see UNH to get back to hockey prominence (okay, small steps, back to middle of the pack?) I remember watching Ralph Cox, Rod Langway, and Bob Miller when you could get a grainy feed on some random channel. UNH always managed to pick up some guys from the Boston area who slipped through the BC/BU cracks. The Reading guys, Sean Collins and Steve Saviano, Bobby Butler from Marlboro and Souza from Wakefield. There's tremendous history in your program, and it is sad to see it in it's current state.

If your "grainy feed on some random channel" was the same as mine, it was our PBS affiliate in Durham, Channel 11.

I hope you can find someone to right the ship, but no, you can't have Scott Borek back!

There is that saying, "You can't go home again" and agree or disagree, I don't think a lot of us held Coach Borek in high esteem when he was here, seeing that (1) he came here after winding down a Lake State dynasty after Jeff Jackson left, (2) then presided over the creeping, steady deterioration of the UNH program from top tier contender under Coach McCloskey to sometimes borderline contender during his recruiting tenure, and (3) was often taking the brunt of the blame (rightly or wrongly) for the recruiting violations over a decade ago. HOWEVER, when we saw the alternative plan (hit & hope with MS7), it just seemed like it was a complacent paisan looking after a paisan decision with no real heft to it. Most of us hoped for the best, and some of us lost that hope sooner than others ('Watcher and Dan deserve credit there - neither believed from the outset - even if 'Watcher was wrong about everything else these last 3 years ;-) ).

But even if there was an urge to go back and make a play for Scotty B, I can't begin to imagine he'd take it seriously.

If someone backed the proverbial Brinks truck up to the WIS Estate tomorrow and dropped a few mill in my lap, Borek probably wouldn't even be in my Top Five candidates to poach. I'd take me Brinks truck up to the Downeast first ...

 

[HockeyRef]

Just a comment about the non renewal of Coach Herrion...so I guess Marty didn't extend his contract when he left? Or would that have been odd considering he had one year left? He saw fit to give MS7 2 more years guessing his contract was up then?

Totally guessing here but seems there was no love for the bball coach by the outgoing AD and left the decision to the new AD. Equally its obvious he felt otherwise about the hockey coach or he would have not extended him when he left. If Herrion was in the same boat as Souza I wonder if he would have been offered the same type of extension. No idea their relationship.

We will never know the ans to these questions ..I think it was a done deal perhaps like he (Herrion) states in the article. I am sympathetic to his situation..and hope UNH can do right by the program by (somehow?) Improving the facilities. He did well considering but times change and thats that.

As for getting guidance in his last season..at this level of coaching I am thinking youd have to know whats basically expected. And with players leaving the program faster than they are coming in..well seems the writing was on the wall. To me this was a predetermined fact (his non renewal). But yeah..seems somewhat callous if he received no guidance from the front office.

I hope he finds contentment going forward.

 

[Snively65]

Just a comment about the non renewal of Coach Herrion...so I guess Marty didn't extend his contract when he left? Or would that have been odd considering he had one year left? He saw fit to give MS7 2 more years guessing his contract was up then?

Totally guessing here but seems there was no love for the bball coach by the outgoing AD and left the decision to the new AD. Equally its obvious he felt otherwise about the hockey coach or he would have not extended him when he left. If Herrion was in the same boat as Souza I wonder if he would have been offered the same type of extension. No idea their relationship.

I think that Marty’s extension to Souza was done for his bud Umile more than for anything else.

 

[NCAA watcher]

I think that Marty’s extension to Souza was done for his bud Umile more than for anything else.

True til the end to the Godfather of Durham who got him his job. What an obsequious little man.

HOWEVER, when we saw the alternative plan (hit & hope with MS7), it just seemed like it was a complacent paisan looking after a paisan decision with no real heft to it. Most of us hoped for the best, and some of us lost that hope sooner than others ('Watcher and Dan deserve credit there - neither believed from the outset - even if 'Watcher was wrong about everything else these last 3 years ;-) ).

Well, we can't take credit here because everyone saw it was a mistake right away. Borek's friend had the first news:

bomberhockey replied to UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015
in Men's Division I
05-31-2015, 03:55 PM
Big changes coming to UNH. Careful what you wish for!!

And this was the reaction from the most faithful UNH fan:

Greg A replied to UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015
in Men's Division I
06-10-2015, 12:03 PM
Re: UNH Wildcats TD Garden and Beyond 2015

Originally posted by Felger View Post
"However, Hartford Courant scribe Mike Anthony added an interesting twist to the plot Wednesday morning, reporting that Souza would be the head coach in waiting at UNH. It has bee speculated that longtime Wildcat bench boss Dick Umile would be retiring after the 2016-17 season."

http://sportsfire.net/souza-leaves-uconn-for-unh/
I can't believe that this is true, that when the hiring of Souza is announced, it will also be announced that Umile will be retiring the year after next, to be replaced with someone with a record that is as thin as Souza's is. Mind you, I think Mike is a great guy, at least he was in all the interactions I had with him back when he was a player. And I do think he is an earnest, hard working, up-and-comer. But to think that he would be anointed the new coach would be mind boggling to me. It would lead me to ask Marty Scarano, what happened to the notion that you would only hire someone with Division 1 head coach experience? If Umile was going to designate someone as his successor, why wouldn't it be the man who has been his chief recruiter for the last 12 years rather than someone who is just establishing himself. Just doesn't make any sense.

I miss Greg A, and wonder if he'll come back when MS7 is gone.

As for being wrong the past three years smiley, I do try to keep myself honest, and here's who I killed MS7 over having lost

Ellis Rickwood Clarkson 35-0-5-5
John Evans RPI 29-5-3-8
Nick Ardanaz RPI 20-0-3-3

Hardly world beaters so far, but I still believe in the players.

 

[HockeyRef]

I think that Marty’s extension to Souza was done for his bud Umile more than for anything else.

Most likely; if he had not renewed MS7 when he was leaving, that would not be a 'good look' now would it...he'd have to admit that indeed, 'Souza was not the
right person for the job afterall' (flipping his words "I still think Mike Souza is the right man for the job" in his one of his last interviews as AD)

 

[Chuck Murray]

Looking at 'Watcher's old quotes on the first inklings of Souza's pending hire brings me back to when my ol' pal Luce first weighed in on the topic (IIRC through this same CT writer?) and was wisecracking about how Coach Umile was Souza's "uncle". Someone should have fitted Luce with a pair of cement shoes right about then. Totally classless turd burglar.

It would be nice (and timely) for the Union Leader to have someone write a prospective analysis of where Coach Souza's future stands, now that he's ventured out with an after-the-fact article on Coach Herrion's non-renewal. db62 has done the dirty work of confirming the expiration date of Souza's deal; so why not ask Souza and Rich about their outlook(s)?

Has there been ongoing dialogue between the two, unlike apparently between Herrion and Rich? What are the expectations and guidelines?? As Herrion so accurately stated ... you are a college coach, and you're entering the last season of your contract, so the implications are quite clear that you'll have to accomplish something - especially where virtually nothing has been accomplished to date. Darius touched on this in Post #156 and we've all kind of speculated and had our say. If I'm MS7 and there has been little if any dialogue to date with the new AD, I wouldn't read that as a good sign, and then your choices boil down to (1) force the diaolgue with AD Rich in the next 30 days, or (2) spend the next 6 months scouring the hockey universe for a Plan B, knowing that if you pull the plug in the summer, your ol' buddy Stewie can take over in an emergency?

All the more reason IMO for AD Rich to give him notice of non-renewal now, leverage him out (as opposed to leaving yourself vulnerable to the possibility of an inconvenient late departure) and maybe save some money in the process, as we've discussed and analyzed previously.

Sure, it will make for a super-busy Spring of hiring Hockey and Hoops head coaches ... but with the relative dearth of Spring Varsity sports at UNH (track & field and Women's Lax?), the timing will never be better. Ideally, you get both processes up and running in 30 days, and finish with the eventual selection and onboarding by Memorial Day weekend? And then you have these two headaches dealt with, and put your stamp on the program for the foreseeable future AND given your new coaches time to hit the ground running (and your marketing folks time to work the publicity to sell some tickets based on the new enthusiasm)??

You know if makes sense, AD Rich. Now go make it happen. JMHO.

 

[NCAA watcher]

Undoubtedly UNH will be better next year. The core of the team is freshmen/sophs, and a decent class is coming in with Conmy and Fitzgerald to fill in the few departures. The real question is how high is the Barr? HE remains with lots of holes, so apart from BU, it remains a scramble. I can see them competing for a 6-8 finish, and if miracles happen, and good coaching of the talent, maybe a 5/6 spot? But as a lame duck, if they improve to that 7/8 spot, does he survive? And would it warrant a 2 year extension, or just another year-to-year show me deal?


(And I'll toot my being right about Merrimack/Borek)

NCAA watcher replied to UNH 2018 Offseason- Out with the old , in with the semi new?
in Men's Division I

03-11-2018, 12:30 PM
Re: UNH 2018 Offseason- Out with the old , in with the semi new?

I could see Scott Borek for this spot.

Of course, my take seems wrong

NCAA watcher replied to Merrimack College 2017-2018
in Men's Division I

04-07-2018, 10:28 AM
Originally posted by brassbonanza View Post
Also was involved in UNH's recruiting email NCAA violations in 2009.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articl...ORTS/307249858
That was overblown. Borek is very good at evaluating and his skill became evident at UNH after he left. A lot of the decline was due to the former coach not helping at all. His reputation aged well once he left and you saw how much heavy lifting he was doing at UNH and the drop off in recruiting once he left. Yes, he made some mistakes in deferring kids but overall he is competent and maybe a good fit with a program that needs volume of competent players more than high end kids.

Lower ceiling higher floor type of hire
SEE LESS | GO TO POST
Last edited by NCAA watcher; 04-07-2018, 10:41 AM.

 

[HockeyRef]

Undoubtedly UNH will be better next year. The core of the team is freshmen/sophs, and a decent class is coming in with Conmy and Fitzgerald to fill in the few departures. The real question is how high is the Barr? HE remains with lots of holes, so apart from BU, it remains a scramble. I can see them competing for a 6-8 finish, and if miracles happen, and good coaching of the talent, maybe a 5/6 spot? But as a lame duck, if they improve to that 7/8 spot, does he survive? And would it warrant a 2 year extension, or just another year-to-year show me deal?

If there is marked improvement, say, we get to the Garden, I'll bet he is granted a two year extension...just my guess. I'll bet there has been convo with the two of them (AD and coach) about that kind of marker. As Darius as said, being in the 'one year' thing is no fun. If he fails to move the needle next season, even with
the incoming guys you speak of (and I am really looking forward to them) plus hopefully, further dev of existing players...can't imagine why he'd be renewed.

Hope that the team does well; I know some are worried that if they do, MS7 stays. Well, I'd rather have the team do well if I'm being honest...but how well, remains to be seen.

 

[NCAA watcher]

The only reason to give a 2 year extension would be either to make the Coach feel better, or to prevent poaching. After a mediocre decade, why would Rich worry about either? It's not necessary, and Souza really has to prove himself more than a hot streak to get to the Garden. The issue is even if they improve from 10 to 7th, can you project a top 4 spot with this group in 24-25 or 25-26? I think that answer is still no. So, there's still a lower ceiling than we would hope for. And the 2024 and 25 classes don't really show the "things are on the upswing" story. The MacPherson kids and Sadwoski are good, but on D the players seem projections.

 

[HockeyRef]

Looking at 'Watcher's old quotes on the first inklings of Souza's pending hire brings me back to when my ol' pal Luce first weighed in on the topic (IIRC through this same CT writer?) and was wisecracking about how Coach Umile was Souza's "uncle". Someone should have fitted Luce with a pair of cement shoes right about then. Totally classless turd burglar.

It would be nice (and timely) for the Union Leader to have someone write a prospective analysis of where Coach Souza's future stands, now that he's ventured out with an after-the-fact article on Coach Herrion's non-renewal. db62 has done the dirty work of confirming the expiration date of Souza's deal; so why not ask Souza and Rich about their outlook(s)?

Has there been ongoing dialogue between the two, unlike apparently between Herrion and Rich? What are the expectations and guidelines?? As Herrion so accurately stated ... you are a college coach, and you're entering the last season of your contract, so the implications are quite clear that you'll have to accomplish something - especially where virtually nothing has been accomplished to date. Darius touched on this in Post #156 and we've all kind of speculated and had our say. If I'm MS7 and there has been little if any dialogue to date with the new AD, I wouldn't read that as a good sign, and then your choices boil down to (1) force the diaolgue with AD Rich in the next 30 days, or (2) spend the next 6 months scouring the hockey universe for a Plan B, knowing that if you pull the plug in the summer, your ol' buddy Stewie can take over in an emergency?

All the more reason IMO for AD Rich to give him notice of non-renewal now, leverage him out (as opposed to leaving yourself vulnerable to the possibility of an inconvenient late departure) and maybe save some money in the process, as we've discussed and analyzed previously.

Sure, it will make for a super-busy Spring of hiring Hockey and Hoops head coaches ... but with the relative dearth of Spring Varsity sports at UNH (track & field and Women's Lax?), the timing will never be better. Ideally, you get both processes up and running in 30 days, and finish with the eventual selection and onboarding by Memorial Day weekend? And then you have these two headaches dealt with, and put your stamp on the program for the foreseeable future AND given your new coaches time to hit the ground running (and your marketing folks time to work the publicity to sell some tickets based on the new enthusiasm)??

You know if makes sense, AD Rich. Now go make it happen. JMHO.

I did ask Alex Hall about this, well, more of a 'summary of the season'. If he (or whomever) went into all of what you are talking about...that would surely be welcomed but,
I highly doubt that is going to happen. It should, and would make for excellent reading..."The Future of UNH Hockey" kind of article. But to do that, you'd
be asking for alot of transparency. Given the lack of communication period, I'd be amazed if that did happen. Plus, its a personnel issue, and that's usually
not something an AD wants to get into, for obvious reasons??

We can't even get a press conference half the time...a full fledged article would be the last thing UNH would agree to do, I think, given the history...

 

[acs64]

Not trolling here, but since I was out of the loop, what was Josh Ciocco's cause of death? Has it been determined? 38 years old is kinda young to say the least.

 

[Dan]

Enlightening article. Thanks. Good journalism, too The bold is extremely disappointing.

How is this disappointing? This is how college athletic - and business - contracts work. The only difference being that in professional life there is no assumption that the contract will simply be extended by default. As he states, he's been around long enough to understand...

Herrion was at the end of another contract, after an extended and mediocre 18-year tenure with UNH MBB. The AD's office is entirely within their rights to consider a change prior to the season starting, with the idea that barring something outstanding and unexpected they'll simply move on when the contract runs out. Again, he states his awareness of this reality. And he did not give them something outstanding and unexpected. Should we assume that if Rich had told him he needed to win America East he simply would have...?

'Oh, you wanted me to win the conference? You should have told me!'

He was kept around far longer than he probably deserved, so to complain upon his exit about his treatment in this final season is not a good look.

--

It is VERY likely that the AD's office has already made the same determination about Souza and the coming season - the final year on HIS contract. Would it be 'disappointing' for them to make those considerations? Should they be expected to paint themselves into a corner with promises on how he can 'keep his job'? IMO, absolutely not...

 

[HockeyRef]

So...there WILL be an article in tomorrow's UL about the season...I was just informed.

 

[HockeyRef]

From UNH journo Evan Mullings Breaking: UNH captain and senior F Chase Stevenson has entered the transfer portal. He tallied career highs in goals (12) and points (20) with the Wildcats this past season. As per CHC, he may have additional time coming to him as he lost most of his sophomore season with a shoulder injury.

Am bummed, was really hoping he'd stay for another season...wishing him the best.

 

[Darius]

How is this disappointing? This is how college athletic - and business - contracts work. The only difference being that in professional life there is no assumption that the contract will simply be extended by default. As he states, he's been around long enough to understand...

Herrion was at the end of another contract, after an extended and mediocre 18-year tenure with UNH MBB. The AD's office is entirely within their rights to consider a change prior to the season starting, with the idea that barring something outstanding and unexpected they'll simply move on when the contract runs out. Again, he states his awareness of this reality. And he did not give them something outstanding and unexpected. Should we assume that if Rich had told him he needed to win America East he simply would have...?

'Oh, you wanted me to win the conference? You should have told me!'

He was kept around far longer than he probably deserved, so to complain upon his exit about his treatment in this final season is not a good look.

--

It is VERY likely that the AD's office has already made the same determination about Souza and the coming season - the final year on HIS contract. Would it be 'disappointing' for them to make those considerations? Should they be expected to paint themselves into a corner with promises on how he can 'keep his job'? IMO, absolutely not...

I have never liked the elephant in the room although it doesn’t matter if everyone (in college athletics) can see it and agreed that Coach Herrion has nothing to complain about. If I am Coach Souza, I have one and a half feet out the door.

Any softball team you might suggest I follow with extra interest this year?