That's why I mentioned Jimmy T as the guy who is likely gonna have to lead that process. Umile had his chance a decade ago, and we are where we are due to his "prowess" in determining a quality successor. Having a little more insight today into MS7's background than I have previously, I can better understand the pressure Umile might have felt in recommending his former player over other more experienced candidates. I'll just leave that comment where it is, at least for now.
FWIW I don't doubt for a second there may have been a "national search", but not in the way you usually think of that term. With the money surrounding many of the college football head coaching jobs out there these days, I very much doubt UNH was gonna attract anyone other than Goodrich or someone else like him, with the same overall coaching profile and experience (or lack thereof). Experienced guys at this level are only a good season or two away from bigger salaries at the next level (see Santos and the Ivies), and guys who can piece together a winning resume at that next level are only a good season or two away from being the next Curt Cignetti and eight figure long term contracts. The pool for guys looking at UNH Football isn't especially experienced or deep as we might otherwise think it should be.
The difference between Umile and MacDonnell is that the latter - who presumably had some say in the selection of Santos as his successor - actually made a recommendation that didn't sink his former program like Umile did. Santos may not have had his teams perennially in the playoffs, but they did get there a few times, and for the most part his teams weren't that far removed from most of MacDonnell's teams. If only Umile had made an "almost as good" coach his successor ... instead, we went from an over the hill guy who did have a roadmap to (if not through) the postseason, to an underqualified guy who doesn't have a map beyond the first MBPBEGAM round into the slightest semblance of a real postseason. So Umile's feedback sadly must be tolerated at most, and any real feedback MUST come from Tortorella as the so-called GM of UNH Hockey. He could do worse than hire himself and two new associate coaches, but my hope would either be a Coach Boguniecki/Coach Ayers type with a pair of new assistants to freshen up the place, or to go the route of the experienced assistant from afar (as in Coach Barr) who would bring instant credibility to the program. But every year we wait for some miracle to happen with the current HC is a wasted year for the program, and digs the hole ever deeper.
I can agree with this sentiment - especially with football it is difficult at the FCS level - if they show a high level of success they will soon get poached by an FBS program for more money, resources, etc. By going with an alum I imagine UNH is trying to go for the “friends and family” discount, and perhaps greater loyalty to stay, even if they start showing success. This did not work out for Santos, but Coach Mac stayed for a LONG time, despite long-term success in the regular season and postseason (to an extent). While I don’t know for sure, I imagine he had opportunities when he was younger to leave to bigger programs, but he remained loyal to UNH until his retirement.
Anyways, back to hockey, I can only hope Jimmy T would lead the search. His network (I presume) is pretty big, maybe larger than that of Umile/AD Rich. If UNH completely falls flat the rest of the way (1-2 more wins), finishes 10/11th in HE, and is one and done in the playoffs, I think it’s a very compelling case to move on from MS7 at seasons end.
Again, IF this happens (and I really hope it doesn’t) I foresee this playing out in one of a few ways:
1.) Given MS7 still has one year left on his contract, AD Rich lets him finish out his contract, hoping for better results next year. (Exactly WHAT is considered “better” is up for debate. For me, I’d need to AT LEAST a trip to the garden. Anything less is not good enough.)
2.) AD Rich has seen enough at seasons end after 2 dismal seasons in a row after she joined UNH, and after she handed out the 3 year contract. She buys out MS7s last year, BUT perhaps due to limited funds to immediately higher a new coach for the fall, she appoints Jimmy T as the “interim” coach, maintaining Stewie/Guiliano as assistants. Jimmy T conducts a year long national search to find the new UNH coach, who is hired after MS7s contract officially ends in spring 2027.
3.) same as (2), but she decides to forgo the interim year with a Jimmy T, and hires someone new for Fall 2026. MS7 will get buyout for last year or contract.
in my mind, the order or liklihood is 1>3>2. I think an interim coach for a year would be very disruptive for recruiting and the existing players - many of whom will probably want to jump ship and go elsewhere. At the same time, I think UNH admin would push VERY STRONGLY to avoid a buyout / dead money…
Curious to hear what others thoughts are. Again, the hope is the ship gets righted this weekend vs BC, and we finish in the top half of HE with perhaps a trip to the Garden. ALOT has to change on the ice though for that to become a reality.
Forever optimistic…
