UNH Men’s Hockey 22-23: the start of something new, or more of the same?

[NCAA watcher]

Agreed. The man bleeds blue. No doubt. WMUR had a spot from practice last week, interviewed Coach. I thought he looked tired, stressed, etc. Maybe not. What do I know? I had the thought that UNH should let him know where he stands. I doubt he his going anywhere at season's end, but if his job his on the line, he should know. Same if he is on the 2 - 3 year plan and also if he is Gerry Friel 2.0.

Failing upwards is stressful.
If AD Rich has not remedied the men's and women's program after March I will be first in line with the pitchforks. Each has been given enough rope. Going back to my Lassonde posts I found even C-H-C advocated for a 3 year period for Souza to prove himself -- 2018 to 2021.
I see no reason for Rich to stay "loyal" to coaches she never knew before June, and for programs she was hired to upgrade. It's the easiest fix in the world, made easier, I would guess, by the fact that Souza's contract must be up for renewal. (I say that based on him being here for 8 years. He was not given a 9 year deal to come here, and even if they threw a 4 year deal or even a 5 year deal at him when hired in 2018, that's up. The only conceivable way he could be under contract in 2023-24 is if his contract came up in 2022, and lame-duck Marty gave him a parting 2 year deal. Would Dean even allow that? There's no way the deal came up in 2021 and Souza negotiated a 3 year extension.
So, order 1 would be negotiating a deal, and I can't see how Mikey would approach that with someone he doesn't know. I'd be surprised if he's not been told outright he's coaching for his job.

I feel for the guy, too. But earning $2 million for a job he was unqualified for mitigates my empathy. Hope he put it into a 529 and can find another of his locals to find him a hockey gig. -- NHL scouting like Mark White, or a low stress, lower paying gig at Austin Prep.

 

[HockeyRef]

haha Darius how did you know I needed a 'sensory room'. Sorry, the place isn't big enough to carry that noise. I don't mind a rowdy hockey environment but every single second of 'down time' spent with blaring music? Whatever...ear plugs next time. Guess those fans were incorrect on how we did against NU in the past down there; you guys would know that I guess. Doesn't suit me to look it up this morning too tired from the trek home.

I saw a very stressed out Mike Souza walk off that ice last night. And he has to see the social media were fans are sounding off and one called out AD Rich last night to 'make a statement' about the current program on their Twitter feed. One response was 'well she inherited this mess' and, I'd agree 100% with that. I can't see how she could possibly 'say something' right now; what's she supposed to say to the public? But I totally get the frustration. And I feel for the kids; always have. We all know they most likely are trying the best they can/just the talent they are up against is elite in many cases. How we do against VT is huge. But am not holding my breath on that because, and I know this coz I've lived it the past 8 to 9 seasons, we plays like merde up there. Have we always? No clue and I do not care.

I can't read her mind but remember, Marty said in his parting comments "I still think Mike Souza is the man for the job". we'll see March 1.

And you said it yourself...UNH does not fire coaches. Agree 'Watcher, that he was possibly given an extension (I said this last year). Prob only a few people know the extent of his contract but they aren't sayin'. Funny...last year when Mark Hubbard was renewed it was all over twitter...

Ps...what's Albie O'Connell doing these days??? hmmm...

 

[Darius]

Failing upwards is stressful.
If AD Rich has not remedied the men's and women's program after March I will be first in line with the pitchforks. Each has been given enough rope. Going back to my Lassonde posts I found even C-H-C advocated for a 3 year period for Souza to prove himself -- 2018 to 2021.
I see no reason for Rich to stay "loyal" to coaches she never knew before June, and for programs she was hired to upgrade. It's the easiest fix in the world, made easier, I would guess, by the fact that Souza's contract must be up for renewal. (I say that based on him being here for 8 years. He was not given a 9 year deal to come here, and even if they threw a 4 year deal or even a 5 year deal at him when hired in 2018, that's up. The only conceivable way he could be under contract in 2023-24 is if his contract came up in 2022, and lame-duck Marty gave him a parting 2 year deal. Would Dean even allow that? There's no way the deal came up in 2021 and Souza negotiated a 3 year extension.
So, order 1 would be negotiating a deal, and I can't see how Mikey would approach that with someone he doesn't know. I'd be surprised if he's not been told outright he's coaching for his job.

I feel for the guy, too. But earning $2 million for a job he was unqualified for mitigates my empathy. Hope he put it into a 529 and can find another of his locals to find him a hockey gig. -- NHL scouting like Mark White, or a low stress, lower paying gig at Austin Prep.

I've had that thought as well. Many I know thought their big earning years would last forever and kept spending. It worked out fine for some, not so much for others who are now scrambling.

While very well compensated, Coach Souza is kind of a deal for UNH, no? Carvel was at $500K in 2021, Bazin at $567K in 2021. More similar Woodcroft at $275K in 2020, Barr at $235K in 2021.

 

[Darius]

haha Darius how did you know I needed a 'sensory room'.

Me too. I used to enjoy chatting, often about the game :-0, during the far fewer stoppages. I also miss being able to eat something other than a hot dog, pretzel or pre-made pizza when arriving at game time and being back in Manch at a reasonable hour when games ended by 9:15. None of this is UNH specific, they are league and sport wide differences from the past. Being more competitive would help.

Piling on with the negativity:

• Clarkson is now 2-6 with wins against Mercyhurst (1-9-1) and Lake State (1-5-1).
• St. Lawrence is now 4-4 with wins against Merrimack (5-3), Colorado (4-5) x2, RPI (5-3)
• Army is now 1-6-1 with a win against Dartmouth (1-2)

 

[Felger]

Ps...what's Albie O'Connell doing these days??? hmmm...

If/when UNH moves on from Souza I would hope the bar would be higher than this....

 

[HockeyRef]

If/when UNH moves on from Souza I would hope the bar would be higher than this....

Hear that, and frankly doubt UNH could afford him. As has been pointed out, the 'big guns' (and he was one) get paid mucho bucks. But you don't have to be paid handsomely to be a great coach who can turn around a program...

 

[Felger]

Hear that, and frankly doubt UNH could afford him. As has been pointed out, the 'big guns' (and he was one) get paid mucho bucks. But you don't have to be paid handsomely to be a great coach who can turn around a program...

Not sure he would be the answer even if he was free.

 

[NCAA watcher]

The going rate for non-current HCs would be between Barr's (highly regarded assistant, low cost of living, Maine) and Michigan State's Nightingale (coaching at highest non-NCAA level, higher cost of living state).

New Michigan State hockey coach Adam Nightingale signed a five-year rolling term contract with the university with a base salary of $385,000 per year.

 

[HockeyRef]

Not sure he would be the answer even if he was free.

Honestly not thinking he's the 'answer' my original post about him was kind of 'tongue in cheek'. To coin a phrase 'ain't got no dog in this hunt' , which isn't even a hunt...(was it ever/will it ever be?)

 

[norbert]

Didn’t watch much of last night as we were at a concert but one of the kids had it streaming, not impressive at all.

Concerning on Muszelikto start the year. Is it nerves, lack of talent, or lack of 5 in front of him. Leaning towards the last option with hopes the kid isn’t ruined by the current play.

I had 5-2 as a guess last night. Tonight’s a 4-1 loss to continue a winless conference scheduled and a slim 1 point lead over VT

 

[Snively65]

Heading to Matthew's tonight..its been awhile since I've seen a game there. Friend of mine looked up our recent stats when playing NU;

Went back and looked. In the last ten games we are 1-9. The last win was in Jan of 2020. We were shut out 4 of the 10 games. And we were out scored 16-50 in those ten games

Welp anyway let's see if we can do something this weekend but HR predicts a NU sweep;

Fri: NU 5 UNH 1. Sat:.NU 3 UNH 1

Prove me wrong 'Cats!!

Cats last win at Boston arena was 3-0 on 15 November 2013, so about nine years ago, about the same time UNH recruiting took another bad turn downwards, with the not unexpected losing records to show for it since then.

edit: Cats last winning season 2013/14, 22-18-1.

 

[d.gerry]

This program is a rudderless ship adrift in the night. The time for change is NOW, but we know that NOBODY at UNH has the gonads to do a single thing about it. Sad.

 

[Nifty16]

Spent that last 10 minutes of tonight’s game watching the bench, figured down 3-0 that game was over. Watching the bench can tell the coaching staff thought that same. Only twice during a stoppage did I see Sousa talk to anyone on the team, and that was at the end of the break and only to the guys taking the next shift. One break they didn’t talk to anyone and was watching the video board The Northeastern bench was all turned to the coach who was going over things with the team the break. Saw Sousa only speak to a player once or twice and only for a few seconds. Didn’t see either of the assistants talk to anyone when they came off the ice. Even when they had a few good chances nothing from the coaching staff. I have seen more in game coaching and just plain old encouragement in a summer league game. The team played hard tonight just don’t have the taken to play with northeastern or the leadership behind the bench to close the gap. Hard to be enthusiastic for the team when you don’t see it out of the men running the team

 

[HockeyRef]

Felt UNH had a decent compete level tonight but goal scoring is necessary. I'm growing concerned about how the team is coping and hope they can find some positives this coming weekend with those other 'Cats or hippies as Snively calls them.

Can't play any worse up there than last season...right? Come on UNH...turn the corner.

 

[RossiRules]

OMG...UNH fans living in the past NU is a top 25 National University now and if you don't understand why NU has 7 or 8 NHL draft picks now you don't understand the modern landscape of hockey...the days of UNH being a top spot for players are long over. Shit Harvard now has the most draft picks and BTW Dick U was the best you ever had

 

[norbert]

Felt UNH had a decent compete level tonight but goal scoring is necessary. I'm growing concerned about how the team is coping and hope they can find some positives this coming weekend with those other 'Cats or hippies as Snively calls them.

Can't play any worse up there than last season...right? Come on UNH...turn the corner.

Competing with and results are different. HR I love your enthusiasm but this team has nothing. Quality shots don’t exist. Killed tonight by 2 goals on the penalty kill, one by your captain on a stupid play.

watched the football ball game at Libby’s and that was just as bad. Poor timeout usage and a fumble off a snap. Dr Rich is gonna be Dr Poor if this doesn’t get fixed.

 

[d.gerry]

OMG...UNH fans living in the past NU is a top 25 National University now and if you don't understand why NU has 7 or 8 NHL draft picks now you don't understand the modern landscape of hockey...the days of UNH being a top spot for players are long over. **** Harvard now has the most draft picks and BTW Dick U was the best you ever had

Thanks Captain Obvious…

We’re not living in the past, we’re pissed off with the present. When NU hangs an actual banner (besides the Beanpot) you’re welcome to come back and crow then.

 

[d.gerry]

Competing with and results are different. HR I love your enthusiasm but this team has nothing. Quality shots don’t exist. Killed tonight by 2 goals on the penalty kill, one by your captain on a stupid play.

watched the football ball game at Libby’s and that was just as bad. Poor timeout usage and a fumble off a snap. Dr Rich is gonna be Dr Poor if this doesn’t get fixed.

AD Allie is a compliance office, nothing more. Big games and UNH go together like oil and water. Look at UNH football tonight, UNH soccer v. VT a week or so ago, etc. etc. Losing, and the acceptability of it, has become our culture.

 

[After the Whistle]

Nifty 16 has nailed it. Todays’ coaching needs to be in the moment. You need to give kids feedback and encouragement, especially when things are not going well. Critical! MS comments about them not needing it, shows a severe lack of understanding of what makes people click. He has so little energy that it is hard to believe that he is the same guy many of us saw play 20+/- years ago. I remember him as being so fiery and emotional. As I stated in the past, just watch a Carvel or Leaman, not just at breaks but after nearly every shift. UMass staff speak to every kid continuously. Not long, but something. Our kids worked really hard tonight, (yes even last night)) and are headed down a rabbit hole that will effect whatever chances that they might have moving forward. We/they deserve better.

 

[d.gerry]

Nifty 16 has nailed it. Todays’ coaching needs to be in the moment. You need to give kids feedback and encouragement, especially when things are not going well. Critical! MS comments about them not needing it, shows a severe lack of understanding of what makes people click. He has so little energy that it is hard to believe that he is the same guy many of us saw play 20+/- years ago. I remember him as being so fiery and emotional. As I stated in the past, just watch a Carvel or Leaman, not just at breaks but after nearly every shift. UMass staff speak to every kid continuously. Not long, but something. Our kids worked really hard tonight, (yes even last night)) and are headed down a rabbit hole that will effect whatever chances that they might have moving forward. We/they deserve better.

These observations are spot on, but I saw improvement with Souza from Friday night! No crossed arms in the third period and he clapped three times at about the 10 minute mark. Maybe he really does read the comments in this forum.