UNH- How Far West Do We Go?

[Dan]

Did you see Yale has begun their national search. Interim in running. Here is names from Yale fan blog

https://x.com/yale_hockeyblog/status/2034344931922231640?s=61&t=MR8UAqhVZs0qmkhcFhysuw

You can also look at buccigross’s xvaccount he’s tweeted on this too

Here is what Buccigross tweeted - with the words I find most interesting highlighted in bold:

Yale men's head hockey coach national search under way. Interim head coach Joe Howe is well thought of and certainly a candidate. A couple of blue blood assistants have already expressed interest. Every DI job is a precious opportunity. Wide net will be cast.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Here is what Buccigross tweeted - with the words I find most interesting highlighted in bold:

Yale men's head hockey coach national search under way. Interim head coach Joe Howe is well thought of and certainly a candidate. A couple of blue blood assistants have already expressed interest. Every DI job is a precious opportunity. Wide net will be cast.

One would think the oft-mentioned Joe Dumais from nearby Quinnipiac could very well be one of those "blue bloods" expressing early interest?

 

[FlagUp17]

Nervous times now for hockey fans in the Downeast. I can't even imagine Barr refusing Minnesota if he's offered that job. That's the pinnacle of D-1 hockey.

And suddenly, the potential path of "Andy Jones to UNH" is ready to be gazumped by UMaine, just like when UNH clung to MS7 and let Barr go to Orono ...

... but then Motzko could also be a candidate for UMaine this year, or UNH next year (lol that would bust the Titletown budget for sure, so highly unlikely).

I wouldn’t be surprised if Motzko retires. I think he is in his mid 60s, having coached at SCS for nearly 2 decades before heading over to Minnesota.

Still, if one bad year was all it took to get fired, MS7 would be a distant memory by now.

Seems to be some “movement” now amongst the teams that are out of it. Anyone hear any rumblings from within the Athletic department with how the “performance review” went with MS7 this year?

 

[HockeyRef]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Motzko retires. I think he is in his mid 60s, having coached at SCS for nearly 2 decades before heading over to Minnesota.

Still, if one bad year was all it took to get fired, MS7 would be a distant memory by now.

Seems to be some “movement” now amongst the teams that are out of it. Anyone hear any rumblings from within the Athletic department with how the “performance review” went with MS7 this year?

If they do review him as I'm sure they would we surely don't hear about it...I think this Minny thing will see alot of potential surprises ahead...Chuck is right about
the timing of this for their HC. Will Barr walk if offered? Maybe Dan is on the right track with the Augustana asst...Interesting times ahead!

 

[FlagUp17]

If they do review him as I'm sure they would we surely don't hear about it...I think this Minny thing will see alot of potential surprises ahead...Chuck is right about
the timing of this for their HC. Will Barr walk if offered? Maybe Dan is on the right track with the Augustana asst...Interesting times ahead!

I agree interesting times ahead!

I would be shocked if Barr doesnt leave for Minnesota if offered the job - even without taking into account it’s where he’s from.

As Chuck mentioned, Minnesota is the pinnacle of college hockey. The school that likely is top 3 with regard to players sent to the NHL, Olympians, and access to the best resources. It is one of those school that kids are attracted to just based on name alone, likely making the recruiting “pitch” much easier, no matter how you slice it.

Mainers are also probably afraid that, if Barr leaves, he likely takes some of his best players/recruits with him. Obviously whoever Maine replaces him can/will backfill, but the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and a new coach is always a risk.

I imagine a Barr jettison to the land of 10,000 lakes will probably stymie Maine’s resurgence in HEA we have been watching these past few years. Even with a good coach, I presume there will be the usual 1-2 year “transition” where the team wins <10 games until they get the players they want etc.

Who knows, maybe the new coach brings them to even new heights… you never know until you start to play the games…

 

[norbert]

It's pretty clear you've never been in any type of successful private business. Not even close. Private industry would appoint a group to do a complete breakdown of the program, determine why it's no longer competitive, make recommendations with costs to the CEO, who would accept partially, in total or reject the recommendations with approval of the Board.

UNH is not private. State owned and operated organizations are political. Your per seat proposal is LOL dumb. The key is not revenue. It's all about getting political types involved to agree that UNH needs to be better supported. The key is to have a person or two get the ear of the politicians who can work with Board of Trustees to better fund hockey. Money becomes available in state agencies or organizations such as UNH when politicians decide to make it available. That's why lobbyists exist. Ever notice the lobbyists are often ex pols and almost never MBAs? Yet they still move as much money in this country as wall street bankers.

I'm truly amazed that you, TheDumbCat, Emily the Flunky, Buford, and Elwood have been spending decades following UNH hockey without understanding what UNH actually is. You support a school you don't understand.

Revenue means close to nothing. How else can you explain the existence of 1AA football? It's the singles biggest financial boondoggle that exists is American collegiate sports. I mean it. Do your research. It's impossible for UNH football to be anything other than a massive financial loss. Yet it continues to survive. Why?

If you are so successful and tight with the powers that be why isn’t your influence helping fight for the program?

 

[norbert]

Could be an interesting ECHL matchup Easter weekend as Idaho visits Utah. Could be Winters coming to town again LeClerc.

 

[Chuck Murray]

If you are so successful and tight with the powers that be why isn’t your influence helping fight for the program?

Because he clearly hates the State of New Hampshire more than he cares for his alma mater. We are the antithesis of the swampy world where he has operated for most of his adult life. It's why he has such a hard on ... err ... an *issue* with the folks in Concord. To potty, the bigger the government, the better he likes it. Simples.

He is the prototypical beta male, and that works better down there than it does up here. Fact.

 

[norbert]

Because he clearly hates the State of New Hampshire more than he cares for his alma mater. We are the antithesis of the swampy world where he has operated for most of his adult life. It's why he has such a hard on ... err ... an *issue* with the folks in Concord. To potty, the bigger the government, the better he likes it. Simples.

He is the prototypical beta male, and that works better down there than it does up here. Fact.

It’s the same feeling I have for people who are high up with commercial health insurance companies.

 

[Dan]

A quick Google search tells me in no uncertain terms: SMU spends more on men’s basketball and men’s basketball NLI than Miami Ohio…

…and it didn’t matter one damn bit!

 

[TheGrouchyCat]

Could be an interesting ECHL matchup Easter weekend as Idaho visits Utah. Could be Winters coming to town again LeClerc.

Why would that be particularly interesting besides two former team mates playing?

 

[Jellsville USA]

Just floating an interesting idea out into the UNH fan forum-
Imagine Jim Tortorella is ready to step aside, and Mike Souza wants to redirect his energy into the areas where he has the greatest impact. In that scenario, transitioning Souza into the Director of Operations role becomes a natural fit. His strengths in fundraising, recruiting, alumni engagement, and behind‑the‑scenes program development align perfectly with the operational needs of the program.

This shift would also create space for a new, front‑facing head coach—someone who can bring renewed visibility, energy, and optimism to a program that needs a fresh public voice.

The result is a structure that honors existing leadership, maximizes each person’s strengths, and positions the program for a more stable and competitive future.

Forever Optimistic Fan

 

[FlagUp17]

Just floating an interesting idea out into the UNH fan forum-
Imagine Jim Tortorella is ready to step aside, and Mike Souza wants to redirect his energy into the areas where he has the greatest impact. In that scenario, transitioning Souza into the Director of Operations role becomes a natural fit. His strengths in fundraising, recruiting, alumni engagement, and behind‑the‑scenes program development align perfectly with the operational needs of the program.

This shift would also create space for a new, front‑facing head coach—someone who can bring renewed visibility, energy, and optimism to a program that needs a fresh public voice.

The result is a structure that honors existing leadership, maximizes each person’s strengths, and positions the program for a more stable and competitive future.

Forever Optimistic Fan

I agree I think this would be great if it happened. The question them becomes: what is Jimmy T’s contract situation? He has only been back here for about a year and a half I think? I can’t imagine he would want to step aside so soon, or I don’t think he’d have wanted the gig in the first place.

I also imagine Jimmy T is making less (to what degree, I don’t know without doing some research) than MS7, so the school would have to find some way to deal with that, and I just don’t see it in the cards them eating any amount of money given the current financial situation.

I could be wrong though, and I would certainly get behind this. I think it plays to Souza’s strengths more than as being an on-the-ice coach.

Speaking of Souza fundraising success, has anyone driven by the Whitt and seen any renovations starting? I’m still not convinced it’s happening until I hear word of hard hats on site…

 

[TheGrouchyCat]

I agree I think this would be great if it happened. The question them becomes: what is Jimmy T’s contract situation? He has only been back here for about a year and a half I think? I can’t imagine he would want to step aside so soon, or I don’t think he’d have wanted the gig in the first place.

I also imagine Jimmy T is making less (to what degree, I don’t know without doing some research) than MS7, so the school would have to find some way to deal with that, and I just don’t see it in the cards them eating any amount of money given the current financial situation.

I could be wrong though, and I would certainly get behind this. I think it plays to Souza’s strengths more than as being an on-the-ice coach.

Speaking of Souza fundraising success, has anyone driven by the Whitt and seen any renovations starting? I’m still not convinced it’s happening until I hear word of hard hats on site…

It's time to make a clean break.

 

[Potluck]

I agree I think this would be great if it happened. The question them becomes: what is Jimmy T’s contract situation? He has only been back here for about a year and a half I think? I can’t imagine he would want to step aside so soon, or I don’t think he’d have wanted the gig in the first place.

I also imagine Jimmy T is making less (to what degree, I don’t know without doing some research) than MS7, so the school would have to find some way to deal with that, and I just don’t see it in the cards them eating any amount of money given the current financial situation.

I could be wrong though, and I would certainly get behind this. I think it plays to Souza’s strengths more than as being an on-the-ice coach.

Speaking of Souza fundraising success, has anyone driven by the Whitt and seen any renovations starting? I’m still not convinced it’s happening until I hear word of hard hats on site…

No way Souza's remains in the UNH hockey program is he's fired or de facto fired by a non-renewal. It would hobble the next coach. I doubt UNH would employ Souza in any capacity. How would a fired hockey coach be able to talk up the school and inspire donations? There's a credibility/enthusiasm gap. My guess is Souza becomes an assistant somewhere or goes into scouting. He'll never be a head coach again at the college level but certainly could at a high school. He'd be a logical candidate to be a manufacturers rep/salesman for a sports equipment company.

At age 48 with an interesting background, Souza still could do a career change, which he could not do in his mid-50s.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Just floating an interesting idea out into the UNH fan forum-
Imagine Jim Tortorella is ready to step aside, and Mike Souza wants to redirect his energy into the areas where he has the greatest impact. In that scenario, transitioning Souza into the Director of Operations role becomes a natural fit. His strengths in fundraising, recruiting, alumni engagement, and behind‑the‑scenes program development align perfectly with the operational needs of the program.

This shift would also create space for a new, front‑facing head coach—someone who can bring renewed visibility, energy, and optimism to a program that needs a fresh public voice.

The result is a structure that honors existing leadership, maximizes each person’s strengths, and positions the program for a more stable and competitive future.

Forever Optimistic Fan

First, I can't imagine Jimmy T. voluntarily stepping aside so early in his DO position. Second, Souza would have to take a substantial negotiated pay cut to take himself out of the line of fire i.e. the 3rd and final year on his latest contract. UNH would likely have to extend him a few years as DO to balance that all out.

The Souza part may actually be the easiest, especially if his goal is to extend his service time and enhance any future retirement/pension benefits.

I definitely do not see Tortorella stepping aside entirely to facilitate a soft-landing place for what he would have to view as a failed head coach.

Now ... let's say the two of them work something out with AD Rich to "job swap".

Torts gets a pay boost and a 3+ year contract as a HC. Souza the same as the DO replacement for Jimmy T.

If nothing else, it would put potty's theory that UNH Hockey is being held to an uber strict budget to the test ... but also to be crystal clear, I think the only way this has a chance of working long-term is to make a clean break with Souza, and act quickly to bring in a Jones or similar type before someone else snags him.

 

[FlagUp17]

No way Souza's remains in the UNH hockey program is he's fired or de facto fired by a non-renewal. It would hobble the next coach. I doubt UNH would employ Souza in any capacity. How would a fired hockey coach be able to talk up the school and inspire donations? There's a credibility/enthusiasm gap. My guess is Souza becomes an assistant somewhere or goes into scouting. He'll never be a head coach again at the college level but certainly could at a high school. He'd be a logical candidate to be a manufacturers rep/salesman for a sports equipment company.

At age 48 with an interesting background, Souza still could do a career change, which he could not do in his mid-50s.

That’s a fair point. In the end I do agree with you and GrouchyCat in thinking a clean break is best.

My reservation mostly comes from the fact I just don’t think UNH will do it with money left on the table with his contract, and his ties with the current private funds funneling into the Whitt with renovations etc.

If the AD wanted to buy out Souza’s last year, I imagine it would have happened by now to help get a head start on finding a new coach for next year (see Minnesota). Maybe something happens in another week or two, but with every passing day I think the liklihood gets lower and lower…

The longevity of the Womens coach also gives me concern. Is the school more interested in familiarity? Even with mediocre/absymal results?

Things also get muddied again if Souza finds a way to have another “mid” season next year, like in 23-24. Above all else I want the team to win. And the sooner the better - I think we can all agree with that. But does the AD fall for the same trick twice?

Her own future with the school remains a question. Does Souza have a new boss starting July 1st?

Lots of things to keep an eye on over the next few weeks before the portal opens up. I’ve seen a couple Grad transfer names enter thus far but only a few…

 

[HockeyRef]

That’s a fair point. In the end I do agree with you and GrouchyCat in thinking a clean break is best.

My reservation mostly comes from the fact I just don’t think UNH will do it with money left on the table with his contract, and his ties with the current private funds funneling into the Whitt with renovations etc.

If the AD wanted to buy out Souza’s last year, I imagine it would have happened by now to help get a head start on finding a new coach for next year (see Minnesota). Maybe something happens in another week or two, but with every passing day I think the liklihood gets lower and lower…

The longevity of the Womens coach also gives me concern. Is the school more interested in familiarity? Even with mediocre/absymal results?

Things also get muddied again if Souza finds a way to have another “mid” season next year, like in 23-24. Above all else I want the team to win. And the sooner the better - I think we can all agree with that. But does the AD fall for the same trick twice?

Her own future with the school remains a question. Does Souza have a new boss starting July 1st?

Lots of things to keep an eye on over the next few weeks before the portal opens up. I’ve seen a couple Grad transfer names enter thus far but only a few…

I think the writings pretty much on the wall..UNH as a rule does not or rarely fires coaches. The men's ball coach was like Dick Umile...long time coach...UNH tried and true. Didn't he have one more uear left would have to look but my point is the same...would be shocked if AD Rich pulled the plug this season (or next sorry...I just don't see it happening)

Anyway great ideas to bring life to this program and time will certainly tell. You guys haven't answered my question about your HE predictions!

Listened to a MC podcast with ScottyB ...they are out to prove they are a legit team. Wouldn't surprise me if they found a way to up end UMass. Ugh there I go again living vicariously through another program!!

I hate when that happens...

 

[Potluck]

My reservation mostly comes from the fact I just don’t think UNH will do it with money left on the table with his contract, and his ties with the current private funds funneling into the Whitt with renovations etc.

There's no chance Souza is getting bought out. Rest assured, he's coaching next season. As for the renovation, the contracts are signed. The money is in place. Souza's got nothing to do with it anymore.

But does the AD fall for the same trick twice?

It wasn't a trick. Hellston, PR, one good year etc.. had little to do with his Souza's extension. That just gave the AD an easy explanation. He got the extension because he's well liked and was amenable to working for less with less. Souza is a good employee. Good municipal employees (that's really what he is) are loyal to their boss and NEVER create ripples. UNH is NOT results driven. It's driven by costs and politics.

Is the school more interested in familiarity? Even with mediocre/absymal results?

Add costs to the your list....

 

[HockeyRef]

There's no chance Souza is getting bought out. Rest assured, he's coaching next season. As for the renovation, the contracts are signed. The money is in place. Souza's got nothing to do with it anymore.

It wasn't a trick. Hellston, PR, one good year etc.. had little to do with his Souza's extension. That just gave the AD an easy explanation. He got the extension because he's well liked and was amenable to working for less with less. Souza is a good employee. Good municipal employees (that's really what he is) are loyal to their boss and NEVER create ripples. UNH is NOT results driven. It's driven by costs and politics.


Add costs to the your list....

If UNH was so cost conscious...which of course they have to be with their backs against the wall financially...then I guess they are ok with many STH's and regular UNH hockey
enthusiasts making choices to not renew, go to games? We never know those stats, those that don't renew and can only go on attendance which seems to be in the normal
realm and look around from my seat. It's far easier to go with what you already have especially when they don't make waves and are one of the good guys than take a chance that maybe, just maybe, things would/could turn around with a fresh look at the program.

At this point...what the H do they have to lose??? Thanks Robert Balin / CHC for keeping us in the loop about incoming prospects. Sorry we lost that one skater to Dartmouth...The next
few weeks will be very telling who we have / who we get. I don't think we are going to see big losses to the portal I really don't. I do think tho that a player like Lavins might make
different choices if he gets offers. I hope he returns I see a big C on his sweater next season...

Let's go Merrimack!!!