UNH- How Far West Do We Go?

[Potluck]

So we just are supposed to accept this and stay with status quo? If as you say this is a resource problem shouldn’t he be fighting for more? One way to advance the program is through fundraising but since he’s in the Rich Witness Protection Program that won’t happen

That's precisely what you and the the whiners on here are doing, Wait a minute. Do you actually think whining on a social media message board is accomplishing anything? If you do, you are as delusional as TheDumbCat and as dumb as Buford. I recognize it's pretty thin praise, but you are clearly more capable than Buford. Souza actually got a three year extension even though the bird brains on this Board were screaming for his head. Why will next year be any different?

Have you contacted your state representative to inquire about UNH in general and the low standards it sets? What about the UNH Board of Trustees? Don't bother with the AD. She's clearly a paper pusher.

 

[Potluck]

Accountability used to matter. Then again, so did self respect.

There's a lot of jokes I could make but let's just say you're a very unlikely person to be preaching accountability.

UNH is general is declining. Where's the accountability? Oh that's right, the purpose of UNH is to furnish you with a good hockey team.

What's the game plan for holding the institution accountable? That's so far beyond your capabilities, I'd be better off asking you what impact AI will have had in 50 years.

When the entire house is burning to the ground, focusing on sparing the kitchen from burning is a bit silly.

 

[HockeyRef]

So we just are supposed to accept this and stay with status quo? If as you say this is a resource problem shouldn’t he be fighting for more? One way to advance the program is through fundraising but since he’s in the Rich Witness Protection Program that won’t happen

Yes...accept it...this is what you get for being a loyal fan and asking for some sense of accountability. Try living vicariously thru other programs! Works for me...ha!

 

[TheGrouchyCat]

Souza actually got a three year extension even though the bird brains on this Board were screaming for his head. Why will next year be any different?

Have you contacted your state representative to inquire about UNH in general and the low standards it sets? What about the UNH Board of Trustees? Don't bother with the AD. She's clearly a paper pusher.

Jakob Helsten isn't coming to save Souza's ass again come contract season.

That 20 win season was a one off, nothing more than a statistical anomaly.

 

[TheGrouchyCat]

There's a lot of jokes I could make but let's just say you're a very unlikely person to be preaching accountability.

UNH is general is declining. Where's the accountability? Oh that's right, the purpose of UNH is to furnish you with a good hockey team.

What's the game plan for holding the institution accountable? That's so far beyond your capabilities, I'd be better off asking you what impact AI will have had in 50 years.

When the entire house is burning to the ground, focusing on sparing the kitchen from burning is a bit silly.

Let's start with the fact UNH's decline began during the Clinton administration when student loan regulations were loosened and allowed anyone who could fog a mirror get access to cheap capital to fund questionable degrees.

Most universities, UNH included, went on a drunken spending spree of capital projects, staff bloat and tuition/fee increases because of this. None of it increased academic standing or research output, but the optics looked GREAT to prospective out of state students who could now pay full pop tuition.

One upon a time, UNH asked me to consult on something and I was so horrified at how poorly mismanaged it was and, frankly how incompetent the decision makers were, I declined the engagement.

A PhD makes you an expert in a very narrow band or research. Unfortunately, too many PhDs think their terminal degrees make them experts in EVERYTHING. It doesn't.

UNH is staffed by too many people with zero management experience or ability to lead large teams. Let's also not forget the financial mismanagement which borders on malfeasance.

 

[acs64]

Just for chits and giggles, here's my list, top to bottom, of the HE coaches. Based on getting the most out of what resources they have available.


Leaman
Carvel
Barr
Borek
Pandolfo
Brown
Keefe
Cavanaugh
Bazin
Wiedler
Souza

So if you believe this BS, then just maybe UHN's best bet is to try to lure Scottie Borek back to Durham. A known quantity that could even make Merrimack a winner.

 

[Whalers]

I think most are missing an obvious problem. Souza is meeting expectations relative to the resources he has. That's most likely why he got the extension two years ago and why he may get another one. Souza is the lowest paid coach in Hockey East. UNH is among the bottom two programs (UVM is the other) in resources. UNH is one of the two poorest performing programs in the conference. UNH hockey hasn't experienced any NCAA violations and the players are excellent off the ice academically and as citizens. Souza can make a reasonable argument that he has done his job competently - at a very low cost. UNH has very low standards academically and athletically. Souza meets UNH's general standards quite well.

Fluffer, might be some truth to this. A neighbor of Mike's passed along this conversation he overheard not too long ago.
______
Honey, I know I have provided you with a decidedly subpar life in relation to all your other boyfriends. Uncle Mario said I was quite the catch and very much like him, just younger and no turtlenecks in the drawer. I buy used cars that I say will be fixed and improved by next year, but they still sputter along, and drive much worse after the first 30 minutes, but I have some new ideas.* Yeah, the house needs renovations, I know I convinced you to buy the 76" flat screen to solve the problem AND we decreased the size of the kitchen to make it cozier. All right that money wasn’t well spent. But I am a really good person who stays out of the police blotter and academically, I am getting terrific grades as I work toward my 5th undergrad degree.

Hey Hon, I mean it this time. If we just take out a bigger loan to pay ourselves and take trips to search for those better cars, you will REALLY see a difference vs whatshisname? Luce? Now that we would have the extra money, maybe we can afford a little bit extra to, ah, pay for that "Third" you whispered about the other night. He could help me with my performance so we can return some excitement back into this tired old joint.

What do you say? Can you give me another 3 years to make it better? I promise, it will be different this time, trust me!

* going to park 2 of them behind the garage vs out front where they can do something.
** Tony says he can help me with some older cars from Canada, might be upgrades over what we can find in the GBL.

 

[TheGrouchyCat]

So if you believe this BS, then just maybe UHN's best bet is to try to lure Scottie Borek back to Durham. A known quantity that could even make Merrimack a winner.

With how the school treated him, I don’t think he'd pi$$ on UNH if it was on fire.

 

[HockeyRef]

With how the school treated him, I don’t think he'd pi$$ on UNH if it was on fire.

Yep..I think Scotty B is having more fun owning UNH...

 

[HockeyRef]

Most of this back and forth has been great. I’ve tried to keep up with it around work. We’ve had more action on here since the season ended than the few weeks preceding!

Anyways, I feel most of this really comes down to a “chicken or the egg” argument. Take your pick on which you want to call the chicken or the egg on what needs to happen first to “rejuvenate” a program, and thus give rise to the other (a new coach versus facilities/institutional support/injection of $$$).

You can only do so much to convince someone on the other end of the aisle. Not that different than politics…

I imagine most of us here are generally people who don’t like to idly stand by when you see something wrong - heck that is part of what has drawn us to comment for 154+ pages on what should be fixed with the program and us offering our opinions on how to do it etc.

At the end of the day, I don’t have a physical vote as to Souza’s future with the team. I don’t know if anyone here does, but what I’ve tried to focus on (knowing this limitation) is:

“Even if I’m not happy with the job he’s done, what can I(we) do to try and make is job easier?”

A few pages ago I spoke about trying to revive the FoH. I was never affiliated with the group, but i remember its impact on the program when I was a student. I shared my preliminary proposal with Darius and a couple others. I’m happy to share with others if they want (shoot me a DM). I’ve also started to reach out and speak to others affiliated with the University to gather more background info on what’s going on…

I would hope the school would welcome the opportunity to bring this back to help support the hockey program, especially if resources are “so terribly lacking” as has been spoken about at length… FoH shouldn’t cost the school much at all, just some of MS7s time and energy. If he’s not up for that… well I don’t know what to say. He HAS to realize what he has been doing isn’t working, and more support can only help…

I’m not saying it will change things overnight. But small wins over time can add up. Rome wasn’t built in a day as they say…

Just want to say that I'd be shocked if MS7 would be enthusiastic about a FOH group..he has his one and done with the fans at the barbecue AND that's shared with the women's team.
Doesnt show for anything else (the 1 or 2 other events) let alone coming in front of a group of fans at a few home games...
They sure have done a good job keeping him out of sight save for the wmur pre game appearances...

 

[GrouchyUNHer]

... now there's a sight for sore eyes ... GUNHer!!!! Mon ami, emerging from your usual winter hibernation, just in time to hit the sauce on St. Paddy's Day!!

Your opinions seem a little bit ... errr ... rash and disjointed, my octogenarian friend. "Pull off the band-aid" and change leagues, but keep Captain Abysmal in charge for three more years, in a league (ECAC) he has no familiarity with?!?!? And give the program only 5 more years before potentially turning The Whitt into the World's Largest Morgue?!? Wow, if you think Concord isn't fond of Titletown now, I can't even begin to imagine how those kids are gonna get along in the future, yikes ...

Anyway ... always fun when you're lucid enough to join us, old man!!! And give my regards to your wonderful paramour, the lovely Ramona!!!

Charlie, Charlie.....ferchrissakes you long-winded horse's ass! My idea makes perfect god-damned sense, you dang inbred!!! Look it, the trustees and the rest of USNH brain trust simply want hockey to FAIL at UNH....pure and simple. Give SOOOUUUZA a few more years to founder and flail so that he earns his state pension, the cut him and the rest of minions. Hell, drop the program to D-3 if you want, they'll have best damn D-3 hockey barn in the country!! Don't forget, the Whitt can still be utilized for additional entertainment, more monster truck rallies HELL YA!!!

By the way Charlie, I don't who is the most long-winded pissant around here....you or that POTHEAD feller. AND WHO THE HELL IS THIS GROUCHY CAT????!!! I'M THE ONLY DAMN GROUCH AROUND HERE, AND DONT ANY OF YOU NIMRODS FORGET IT!!!!

AND FOR THE LAST EFFIN' TIME.....GET YOUR DAMN BUTTS OFF OF MY LAWN!!!!!!!!

PS - Charlie, Ramona sends her kind regards, and even though she respects your lifestyle, please STOP ordering intimate apparel shipments from Victoria's Secret in her name and having then shipped to EFFINGWOODS!!!! You keep your choice of clothing to yourself, DO YA HEAR?????

 

[acs64]

With how the school treated him, I don’t think he'd pi$$ on UNH if it was on fire.

So theres a story behind this, huh. Care to divulge?

 

[norbert]

That's precisely what you and the the whiners on here are doing, Wait a minute. Do you actually think whining on a social media message board is accomplishing anything? If you do, you are as delusional as TheDumbCat and as dumb as Buford. I recognize it's pretty thin praise, but you are clearly more capable than Buford. Souza actually got a three year extension even though the bird brains on this Board were screaming for his head. Why will next year be any different?

Have you contacted your state representative to inquire about UNH in general and the low standards it sets? What about the UNH Board of Trustees? Don't bother with the AD. She's clearly a paper pusher.

The AD won’t return any messages which shows how disconnected she is with UNH. I’ve talk to a Trustee about the budget short fall and since the governor won’t raise taxes pretty much stuck. All she has to do is put the rooms tax back to 9% and that’s $29m a year which would have covered the deficit last year for the school.

The problem with NH representation is that there’s too many reps and unless you were a fan or from UNH they won’t care.

 

[norbert]

So theres a story behind this, huh. Care to divulge?

He got dinged for a minor recruiting violation. Blast emails to recruits before it was allowed. UNH and Marty basically blackballed him for it.

 

[Chuck Murray]

He got dinged for a minor recruiting violation. Blast emails to recruits before it was allowed. UNH and Marty basically blackballed him for it.

It's why when Dick was nearing the end of the road, Scotty B left when it became abundantly clear he was not going to be considered as Dick's successor.

UNH (whether you consider "UNH" to be Blue Skies and/or the T-Hall folks) kneecapped Dick's two most logical and experienced successors in short order a little over a decade ago. What's happened since is an industrial sized case of bad karma, which the folks that have been in charge all well and truly deserved.

 

[FlagUp17]

Just want to say that I'd be shocked if MS7 would be enthusiastic about a FOH group..he has his one and done with the fans at the barbecue AND that's shared with the women's team.
Doesnt show for anything else (the 1 or 2 other events) let alone coming in front of a group of fans at a few home games...
They sure have done a good job keeping him out of sight save for the wmur pre game appearances...

I don’t disagree with you. I’m somewhat banking on his bosses (AD and president) to try and force his hand. I’m assuming they are not happy with how things have gone since the contract extension was given out, but they know their hands are a bit tied in terms of handing out cash to MS7 and his staff.

I’d hope they view FoH as a “win-win” in that it’s pretty much free to the school (outside of a very small amount of Souza’s time, but he isn’t paid hourly so no worries there). The FoH members pretty much do all the leg work for fundraisers, events, etc. and then hand Souza a nice check from time to time for travel/recruiting, extra scholarship money, etc. This in turn brings in better players. Which at least provides a higher probability of winning (even if MS7 can’t coach them up, if they start with a higher floor it can’t hurt more than it can help…)

Again, this is assuming the AD/president are not happy with the state of the program. If they are fine with where it is, then I digress, and I would think nothing short of a full gut will do much to help us out… Bur hey, it doesn’t hurt to ask, does it?

Hopefully Darius gets a positive feel/vibe from the powers that be.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Charlie, Charlie.....ferchrissakes you long-winded horse's ass! My idea makes perfect god-damned sense, you dang inbred!!! Look it, the trustees and the rest of USNH brain trust simply want hockey to FAIL at UNH....pure and simple. Give SOOOUUUZA a few more years to founder and flail so that he earns his state pension, the cut him and the rest of minions. Hell, drop the program to D-3 if you want, they'll have best damn D-3 hockey barn in the country!! Don't forget, the Whitt can still be utilized for additional entertainment, more monster truck rallies HELL YA!!!

By the way Charlie, I don't who is the most long-winded pissant around here....you or that POTHEAD feller. AND WHO THE HELL IS THIS GROUCHY CAT????!!! I'M THE ONLY DAMN GROUCH AROUND HERE, AND DONT ANY OF YOU NIMRODS FORGET IT!!!!

AND FOR THE LAST EFFIN' TIME.....GET YOUR DAMN BUTTS OFF OF MY LAWN!!!!!!!!

There he is, folks ... the self-proclaimed original Grouch, in all of his glorious grouchiness ... I think a Grouch Summit meeting needs to be arranged, eh??

PS - Charlie, Ramona sends her kind regards, and even though she respects your lifestyle, please STOP ordering intimate apparel shipments from Victoria's Secret in her name and having then shipped to EFFINGWOODS!!!! You keep your choice of clothing to yourself, DO YA HEAR?????

At the risk of inflaming your hemorrhoids delicate sensitivities mon ami ... have you ever considered the delectable Ramona may sometimes tire of swapping out your prodigious bedpans and super-sized Depends, and enjoys her few getaway daytime dalliances in the tony Exonian suburb that is Effingwoods?!? Just sayin' ...

 

[TheGrouchyCat]

There he is, folks ... the self-proclaimed original Grouch, in all of his glorious grouchiness ... I think a Grouch Summit meeting needs to be arranged, eh??


At the risk of inflaming your hemorrhoids delicate sensitivities mon ami ... have you ever considered the delectable Ramona may sometimes tire of swapping out your prodigious bedpans and super-sized Depends, and enjoys her few getaway daytime dalliances in the tony Exonian suburb that is Effingwoods?!? Just sayin' ...

Is he hanging out with the Hassans or Sununus in Effingwoods?

 

[TheGrouchyCat]

I don’t disagree with you. I’m somewhat banking on his bosses (AD and president) to try and force his hand. I’m assuming they are not happy with how things have gone since the contract extension was given out, but they know their hands are a bit tied in terms of handing out cash to MS7 and his staff.

I’d hope they view FoH as a “win-win” in that it’s pretty much free to the school (outside of a very small amount of Souza’s time, but he isn’t paid hourly so no worries there). The FoH members pretty much do all the leg work for fundraisers, events, etc. and then hand Souza a nice check from time to time for travel/recruiting, extra scholarship money, etc. This in turn brings in better players. Which at least provides a higher probability of winning (even if MS7 can’t coach them up, if they start with a higher floor it can’t hurt more than it can help…)

Again, this is assuming the AD/president are not happy with the state of the program. If they are fine with where it is, then I digress, and I would think nothing short of a full gut will do much to help us out… Bur hey, it doesn’t hurt to ask, does it?

Hopefully Darius gets a positive feel/vibe from the powers that be.

With heavy rumors of another $30m of cuts on the horizon, MS7's contract is the least of the President's concerns.

As for SB, does she care as long as the program is compliant and doesn't run afoul of the NCAA overlords?

 

[Snively65]

So theres a story behind this, huh. Care to divulge?

Simple. After paying his dues for many years as Dick’s assistant and associate at UNH, Borek was overlooked as Dick’s successor in favor of the much less experienced Souza.