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I'm not the one who drummed up the "holding UNH responsible for hiring Souza when Umile retires" theory, J.D. I think that was one of the apologist UConn fans, trying to justify Cav's blatant meddling.
Reading today's press release, I don't see Coach Umile saying anything other than Souza coming on board as an equal partner with Coach Stewart ...
http://www.unhwildcats.com/sports/mice/2015-16/releases/20150710rgx966
DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire men's hockey head coach Dick Umile announced Friday that former Wildcat captain Mike Souza has been hired as associate head coach.
"Mike Souza was an outstanding player for us, he is a terrific coach and an even better person," Umile said. "I am excited to bring him back to UNH to work alongside fellow associate head coach and alum Glenn Stewart."
Souza, a 2000 UNH graduate, returns to Durham after spending the previous two seasons as a coach for Mike Cavanaugh at the University of Connecticut. Souza assisted with all aspects of the program, focusing primarily on power plays and directing recruiting efforts; he was promoted to associate head coach in April 2015. Last season, Souza played an integral role in transitioning UConn into Hockey East.
Prior to joining the Huskies, Souza began his coaching career with a two-year stint (2011-13) at Brown University as an assistant coach. There, he was responsible for recruiting, game and practice preparation and video breakdown. During games he primarily worked with forwards.
Souza graduated from UNH after a decorated four-year career with the Wildcats from 1996-2000. During that time, the squad reached two Frozen Fours, including the national championship game against the University of Maine in 1999. In 1999-2000, Souza won the Jim Urquhart Award as Student-Athlete of the Year, which is the highest honor bestowed upon a graduating student-athlete at UNH.
Souza, the 67th overall selection in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks, played professionally in the American Hockey League and East Coast Hockey League from 2000-05, and he played six additional seasons (2005-11) in Europe.
"Dick Umile has been my coach, mentor and a huge influence on my decision to become a coach, and it is an honor to be part of his staff," Souza said. "I am humbled and appreciative to return to my alma mater in this capacity, and I look forward to working alongside Coach Umile and Coach Stewart with the goal of competing for a national championship this season."
Souza replaces former associate head coach Scott Borek, who took the same position at Providence College.
Guys (and gals), I'm not being naïve here and dismissing that the issue of succession hasn't come up in discussions with Souza. If I were Coach Souza, I'd sure as heck like to know the score if I was going to be changing jobs.
My takes - and feel free to agree/disagree as I claim no inside knowledge on ANY of this - but ...
* I don't doubt for a second there was a discussion between LC and Coach Umile
* Coach Umile clearly wanted Souza on board, so I don't doubt he said "That's the plan" just to placate LC
* "That's the plan" can change pretty quickly, based on any number of things that may/may not happen
==> I'm guessing Coach Parker's "plan" didn't involve retiring two years ago until he was nudged out the door
* Having LC's "support" was probably moot, lest UConn have been saddled with a disgruntled top assistant
* LC didn't wait around too long to line up Souza's replacement, so again - "support" was probably moot
* Details of a confidential employment-related discussion between two coaches shouldn't go public
* Interestingly, Coach Dennehy was not blabbing about his coaching tree when Stewart left MC last summer
==> And Stewart worked for Dennehy four (4) times longer than Souza worked for what's-his-face
In the end, LC was probably just PO'ed that he and his four (4) rings lost his top assistant to Coach Umile and his zero (0) rings. It's a tough lesson, but LC has to understand he's not working for Uncle Jerry at The Heights anymore. LC probably hasn't realized that at UConn, he is in Coach Belichick's "Cleveland" years, but he'll probably figure that out once he moves on to his next job ...
Oh I dunno...�� Section 101 has some real gems...
Off to Ct to watch former UNHer's Goumas, Pesce, and Agosta play in the Big Assist charity gig...Collin MacD is playing also!! No vR's tho as initially projected. dang. Quite the youtube battle going on here on the board I see! Love the choice of music btw...
included later in the same article ...
is it that a BC legend has his name front & center on the new Plainfield Park casino? Answer? Not very. I'm pretty sure the coaches aren't spending a whole lot of time with their "ballots" for these polls. They are hockey coaches first, and are not making predictions or setting preseason odds for a living (*insert throwaway BC gambling joke here*).
While we're at it ... how shocking
Section 101 has some real gems...