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

[d.gerry]

Does anyone know for sure that MS7’s contract is up this spring and that he did not get a five-year or longer contract renewal when BS35+infinity left office?

I doubt anyone knows for certain, and if they do I'm sure they are not at liberty to discuss, especially here. My feeling is there will be no change at all for the remainder of the season, and at that point it's still a 50/50 proposition in my mind (for what that's worth) any change is made.

 

[deltabravo62]

I submitted a FOIA /Right to know request about 10 days ago for his current and all previous contracts as they are technically public records. So far no response, not even an acknowledgement of receiving the request

 

[Snively65]

I submitted a FOIA /Right to know request about 10 days ago for his current and all previous contracts as they are technically public records. So far no response, not even an acknowledgement of receiving the request

Are the contracts part of the public record, or just the previous year’s salary, which I think used to be the case?

 

[d.gerry]

Are the contracts part of the public record, or just the previous year’s salary, which I think used to be the case?

I believe the contract would be considered public. FWIW you can find all UNH, Keene, Plymouth, GSC, and USNH salaries if you google "USNH salary book". Some eye popping numbers in there.

 

[deltabravo62]

Are the contracts part of the public record, or just the previous year’s salary, which I think used to be the case?

That's what I'm waiting to find out. Apparently people have been successful in the past as the contract is public record however any "employment documentation" such as performance reviews and reprimands are not. Press outlets have been able to get the actual contracts in other states for sure. Worst they can tell me is no, but they haven't even acknowledged my request at this point so we shall see.

 

[SNHUPenman]

That's what I'm waiting to find out. Apparently people have been successful in the past as the contract is public record however any "employment documentation" such as performance reviews and reprimands are not. Press outlets have been able to get the actual contracts in other states for sure. Worst they can tell me is no, but they haven't even acknowledged my request at this point so we shall see.

I am pretty sure they have to comply with this request. How long of time it may take them is up to state law. I am unaware of the legal status of those requests - but let's be honest. This is NH I am sure there are not many FOIA's compared to bigger states/schools. I too am interested on seeing this result.

 

[NCAA watcher]

https://newhampshire.staterecords.org/foia
How Long Does it Take to Respond to a Freedom of Information Act Request in New Hampshire?


New Hampshire law provides for a five-day response period for public records requests. Per RSA 91-A:4, if a public body or agency is unable to make a public record immediately accessible for inspection and copying, the public body or agency must, within five business days after a request:

• Make such records accessible;
• Deny the request; or
• Provide a written statement acknowledging the receipt of the request and stating the period reasonably required to assess whether the request will be granted or denied, as well as the cause for the delay.

Unusual circumstances as determined by the New Hampshire Supreme Court under which a public agency or body may be unable to produce a requested record immediately are if the agency or body is too busy or understaffed.

 

[deltabravo62]

I am trying to follow up on my request as more than 5 business days have elapsed (Requested 11/16). I submitted the form through the USNH website and got an automated email when sent but nothing further.

 

[Chuck Murray]

I am trying to follow up on my request as more than 5 business days have elapsed (Requested 11/16). I submitted the form through the USNH website and got an automated email when sent but nothing further.

General Counsel & Secretary | University System of New Hampshire (usnh.edu)

If you didn't use this db62, it includes a handy-dandy automatic follow-up feature, which should generate a nice "paper trail" you can use when you're probably on the 3rd reminder of your second follow-up.

I have no doubt they will try to slow-walk your request at least through the Winter break. After that, it will take a further series of paper-pusher compliance folks another month or two to determine if you are allowed info on the length of the contract. And then, eventually, 'Watcher's magic March 9th date arrives, and the info may be moot.

Of course, while you are patiently being given the "Who does this guy think he is anyway?" passive-aggressive silent treatment, it might be time to bring the unacceptable delays to the attention of the compliance whiz/AD, which will either speed the process up OR nuke it entirely. Good opportunity to test if she is "on your side" (lol) or just another admin ...

 

[goblue]

I logged off this forum many years ago, and it's been more than a few years since I've attended a UNH hockey game -- or any college hockey game for that matter. There are several reasons for my withdrawal from a sport and a team I have passionately enjoyed since going to my first game at UNH as a freshman in 1973, and while I won't get into them, disenchantment with The Program is certainly high on the list. ***

I will admit my to glancing from time to time at the Hockey East page for standings and game results, and I'll watch the occasional NESN broadcast, at least some of the Beanpot, as well as the Frozen Four -- though I don't mark these on my calendar anymore. Although I still enjoy watching games at the college level, I now do so without favoring (or disfavoring) any team.

Blah, blah, blah -- I know.

Anyway, I've been curious to find out what the UNH posting cogniscenti have been saying about this year's team, so I've been perusing this thread over the past week or two. I've been impressed with the recent consensus sentiments which seem to be: 1. Mike Souza clearly isn't the man for this job and change is needed sooner rather than later, and 2. Showing compassion and/or concern for the student-athletes and what they must be going through.

It's unlikely I'll post again anytime soon, but will continue to read the thoughts and opinions about this annus horribilis. And the vestigial fan feelings I still have for UNH Men's Hockey make me hope that this lost season will serve as a catalyst for an eventual return to relevance. With a new smaller ice surface and other improvements, and with a new coach (let's hope) who can recruit and inspire, anything is possible, right?

*** Despite my disenchantment and long absence, I decided this past summer to get a pair of season tickets. I emailed the ticket office a couple times expressing interest and requesting information. I never received a response.

 

[Snively65]

At least someone around here will be hitting the NRN very soon.

 

[d.gerry]

It's unlikely I'll post again anytime soon, but will continue to read the thoughts and opinions about this annus horribilis.

*** Despite my disenchantment and long absence, I decided this past summer to get a pair of season tickets. I emailed the ticket office a couple times expressing interest and requesting information. I never received a response.

Annus horribilis, love it! Now that would have been an appropriate title for this thread (knowing what we now know)!

As for the ticket office, I’ve experienced similar frustration regarding renewing my tickets. Also, took almost 15 minutes to buy a single game ticket for my daughter (who had returned home from college for a weekend), this at the box office with a total of about four people in line.

BTW, glad you decided to log back on! Hopefully you’ll decide to continue to contribute.

 

[Felger]

Annus horribilis, love it! Now that would have been an appropriate title for this thread (knowing what we now know)!

As for the ticket office, I’ve experienced similar frustration regarding renewing my tickets. Also, took almost 15 minutes to buy a single game ticket for my daughter (who had returned home from college for a weekend), this at the box office with a total of about four people in line.

BTW, glad you decided to log back on! Hopefully you’ll decide to continue to contribute.

That so annoying. Its ironic, seems it was easier to get in the building back when the games were "sold out" than it is now with so many empty seats.

As a ticket buyer makes me relate somewhat to the prospective collegiate player who wants to play but is told to wait a year.

 

[deltabravo62]

General Counsel & Secretary | University System of New Hampshire (usnh.edu)

If you didn't use this db62, it includes a handy-dandy automatic follow-up feature, which should generate a nice "paper trail" you can use when you're probably on the 3rd reminder of your second follow-up.

I have no doubt they will try to slow-walk your request at least through the Winter break. After that, it will take a further series of paper-pusher compliance folks another month or two to determine if you are allowed info on the length of the contract. And then, eventually, 'Watcher's magic March 9th date arrives, and the info may be moot.

Of course, while you are patiently being given the "Who does this guy think he is anyway?" passive-aggressive silent treatment, it might be time to bring the unacceptable delays to the attention of the compliance whiz/AD, which will either speed the process up OR nuke it entirely. Good opportunity to test if she is "on your side" (lol) or just another admin ...

I took the highway past that and went to the USNH staff page, pulled the email of each of the members of the general counsel, and emailed them to follow up on my request. See where that goes, my email to them was a request to follow up on the ticket number that was given to me in the system. I patiently await their response.

 

[NCAA watcher]

The Wisco folks, with whom we'll be competing for a HC this offseason (though from their current $600K per year contract, at a very different price point), had a similar FOI issue last April.

https://madison.com/sports/college/h...78012bb69.html

Todd D. Milewski | Wisconsin State Journal
The University of Wisconsin’s reworked contract with Tony Granato makes it clear the upcoming season is crucial for the men’s hockey coach.

A major change in the contract, released Friday in response to an open records request, is the amount of money UW would owe Granato if it fires him after a future season.

The buyout is $1 million for the next year, down from the full remaining amount of the contract that could have been up to $2.4 million. The amount goes up again in increments after July 1, 2023, eventually reaching $2 million after July 1, 2025.

The Badgers kept Granato’s contract at five years in April, giving him a routine one-year extension but sending changes to the Board of Regents for approval.

The $1 million buyout amount lasts through June 30, 2023. Then it’s $1.33 million through June 30, 2024, $1.66 million through June 30, 2025, and $2 million afterward.

Other Big Ten schools have used a lowering of what’s called liquidated damages if a coach is fired without cause to strike a balance between providing another chance to succeed and protecting the athletic department’s financial interests.

Granato’s annual salary is staying at $600,000 and a new clause in his additional compensation agreement with the UW Foundation gives him a chance to increase it. The amount climbs $25,000 per year the next time the Badgers qualify for the NCAA Tournament, then $25,000 per year after that every time the Badgers have a season with a .500 record or better.

Another change in the contract removes Granato’s $1 million buyout owed to UW if he leaves for another coaching position.
“We worked on some things, we got it to work for both sides and we’re moving forward and hopefully going to be here for a long time,” Granato said in April about the contract reworking with athletic director Chris McIntosh.

McIntosh said in April the expectation at UW was the men’s hockey team will compete for championships. He didn’t put numbers on where the Badgers need to be in the rankings or in the Big Ten standings for Granato to fulfill the AD’s desire for a return to prominence for the team.

McIntosh said instead that when UW has been its most successful “everyone knows what that looks like and what that feels like.”

Granato has a 92-106-16 record with the Badgers. One of his associate head coaches, Mark Strobel, resigned after last season.

 

[Snively65]

The Wisco folks, with whom we'll be competing for a HC this offseason (though from their current $600K per year contract, at a very different price point), had a similar FOI issue last April.

https://madison.com/sports/college/h...78012bb69.html

I wonder what MS7 has for a buyout clause in his contract? I imagine that he got expert guidance from his mentor on this topic.

 

[NCAA watcher]

I assume on the substance its apples and oranges. Granato's buyout was important because his contract doesn't expire after this year, so would need to be bought out. I am assuming Souza's deal will expire, so no penalty needed.
That's where the Delta Bravo FOI kicks in. You'll note that Madison is a big enough town that their press is actually not beholden to the coaches, unlike the provincial press in Durham, who freely move from "insider" writing for the school, to "outsider" re-writing press-releases from the school. It's a shame they didn't see Barry Scanlon actually do his job and get advancement.

 

[d.gerry]

I assume on the substance its apples and oranges. Granato's buyout was important because his contract doesn't expire after this year, so would need to be bought out. I am assuming Souza's deal will expire, so no penalty needed.
That's where the Delta Bravo FOI kicks in. You'll note that Madison is a big enough town that their press is actually not beholden to the coaches, unlike the provincial press in Durham, who freely move from "insider" writing for the school, to "outsider" re-writing press-releases from the school. It's a shame they didn't see Barry Scanlon actually do his job and get advancement.

Not to mention the total lack of coverage from the Union Leader and WMUR. You would think these outlets would have some interest in the current state of the program, but no, it's barely mentioned. I guess college sports in general has limited appeal in a small state like NH. Despite that, you'd think a story chronicling the complete downfall of the former flagship program in the state, and the apparent apathy of the current administration to fix it, should garner some interest. No?

 

[NCAA watcher]

We'll guessing here, but nobody felt they could take on Scarano, and it is difficult to confront the current coaches with questions when you still have to deal with them. Now with the new AD, she's not had a chance to actually make any changes, and would be very angry if she acknowledged the frank conversations taking place behind the scenes. I assume come March 9th, the story will highlight the elephant in the room, so that when an announcement is made on March 21st or so that UNH will not be renewing Souza and Kay, or, before that, that Mike Souza has chosen to take a wonderful opportunity at Milton Academy (or the like) as head coach and assistant admissions counsellor. Only then will we hear that UNH is forming a national search committee to find a successor.

"After many prayers and multiple discussions with my wife, one phrase keeps coming to me -- it's time," Shaw said in a statement. "There are not sufficient words to describe the love and gratitude I feel for my family, all of my former and current players, my staff, this administration and the entire Stanford family. Thank you all."

Shaw finishes 96-54 (65-38 Pac-12) at Stanford as the winningest coach in program history and ninth-winningest coach in Pac-12 history. The former Cardinal wide receiver (1991-94) returned to his alma mater as Jim Harbaugh's offensive coordinator in 2007. When Harbaugh departed to coach the San Francisco 49ers in 2011, Shaw was named his immediate replacement.

Stanford says it has begun a national coaching search for Shaw's replacement with more information to come at a Monday press conference.

"I would like to thank David for his immense contributions to Stanford," said athletic director Bernard Muir. "David has represented Stanford football, as both a player and a coach, with unwavering grace, humility and integrity. He has cared tremendously for each and every student-athlete in his program while helping them pursue their full academic and athletic potential. David will forever remain a valued member of the Stanford football family and an integral part of the storied history of the program. I hope Cardinal fans everywhere will join me in thanking David and his family for their extraordinary years of service and wishing them all the best in their next chapter."

 

[Snively65]

We'll guessing here, but nobody felt they could take on Scarano, and it is difficult to confront the current coaches with questions when you still have to deal with them. Now with the new AD, she's not had a chance to actually make any changes, and would be very angry if she acknowledged the frank conversations taking place behind the scenes. I assume come March 9th, the story will highlight the elephant in the room, so that when an announcement is made on March 21st or so that UNH will not be renewing Souza and Kay, or, before that, that Mike Souza has chosen to take a wonderful opportunity at Milton Academy (or the like) as head coach and assistant admissions counsellor. Only then will we hear that UNH is forming a national search committee to find a successor.

A lot of wishful thinking here, methinks.

Whatever happened to Al Pike? He did not pull punches when writing about UNH hockey. My brother and I shared beers with him in our hotel bar at the 2002 FF in St Paul.