UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

Watch out - the Thought Police will be after you for your location next, Nick.

Remember when this place used to be fun? Now it's just a sad reflection of the outside world, with wanna-be social justice warriors parsing words in a truly misguided attempt to play "gotcha". Hey, at least you didn't say posse ...

( ... half-expecting the swear filter or whatever it's called to snag that one ... )

Seems like some mamby pamby people consider this board their safe space. Gimme a break right Chuck?

 

[Greg Ambrose]

Greg
I hear you about Marty's general lenience, but do wonder if different rules apply to a former key revenue sport. This is a decision that might show up on his bonus metrics.

The only coaches dismissed in Marty's tenure where those who had issues off the field of play. McCloskey, Kay, and wasn't there a ski coach who was dismissed? I suppose if UNH plays in the bottom 10% of all D1 programs over the next year, Marty will need to reassess. But it is not in his DNA to summarily dismiss a coach or its equivalent because of wins and losses.

 

[NCAA watcher]

The only coaches dismissed in Marty's tenure where those who had issues off the field of play. McCloskey, Kay, and wasn't there a ski coach who was dismissed? I suppose if UNH plays in the bottom 10% of all D1 programs over the next year, Marty will need to reassess. But it is not in his DNA to summarily dismiss a coach or its equivalent because of wins and losses.

But saying "dismissed" kind of begs the question on a kid who hasn't even been hired yet. He's on probation. Your comments on wins and losses is right in one sense. Souza is playing with others' recruits. But it is fair to see whether he has coached them up. Second, while playing with others' recruits, he has had flexibility to supplement the gaps this year. He did not do so. Third, the future. I don't know if Marty is even in a position to evaluate recruiting. His only inside people are Umile who would know nothing, and Stewart and Souza. I hope Marty uses time during conferences to talk to outsiders and get their views on whether recruiting portends an upswing. It might be different than his current limited feedback.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

No - I agree, there is nothing in the AD's UNH resume to suggest he is a hard grader. See Herrion, Bill.

As to the benchmarks ... I'd say Year One didn't do Coach Souza any favors, but it's probably going to be the least heavily weighted year of the three season lead-in. Good one to get out of your system quickly, and move forwards.

Now ... this season, with the strength of schedule (*tee-hee*) significantly down from last season, I think Coach Souza runs a risk if they don't at least match last season's performance (and I use that term very loosely). That's not exactly a high bar to meet or (hopefully) to exceed ... BUT if that doesn't happen - and by now, you'd have to concede Souza's impact should at least be surfacing positively with the program - then I think the issue of what happens with Coach Souza in "Year Four" becomes a question to some degree. And by Year Three, there's no question Coach Souza's recruits (not to mention working with the current roster on a daily basis) should be emerging as a force within the program. So, if we're playing "what if?" ... IF UNH's on-ice results continue to gradually stagnate or erode through Year Three, I'm thinking the "Year Four" of the Coach Souza plan might be open for debate and reconsideration.

Coach Umile can make this a lot easier on him, his boss, and his would-be successor if he just pulls a .500 season out of his hat this year. And it's pretty darned clear BS35+4 had set things up pretty sweetly for him to do at least that well. IF he gets that kind of a season from Coach Umile this season, then it takes a lot of pressure off everyone to just play out Year Three of the plan, get coach to the next round number (if you think this season's NC schedule is soft, wait 'til next season ), and let things roll with the Coach Souza era.

Now IF Coach Umile craters with this year's team - and make no mistake, a repeat of last season's record (given the strength *tee-hee* of schedule) would be a "crater" - it gets interesting. "The ____ for 600" becomes a bad joke, and any ordinary coach in those shoes might give some serious thought to stepping aside before continued poor performances not only mars his own legacy, but also puts the future of his hand-picked successor - Coach's "legacy" - in great jeopardy. But no one I know or have ever spoken to around the UNH program has any expectation that Coach would ever leave of his own volition. So, does BS35+4 ...

* buy out Coach Umile's final year, and force Coach Souza to sink or swim a year early?
* threaten not to automatically continue with Coach Souza in 2018/2019 if DU won't resign?
* fire them both (with appropriate buyouts, to be fair) and start anew with a national search?

I have no expectation that any UNH teams over the remainder of Coach Umile's tenure will be making the D-1 tourney, and my belief in any shot at a winning record during that stretch is dying an early death with the team's non-performance over their first 11 games. "Advancing" to the final 8 of the HE Tourney is just a pathetic standard for UNH (wow, we won the MBPBEGAM round!! ) but a trip to Boston is probably enough to salvage THIS season and ensure Umile (and Souza) get to see out the Three Year Plan.

IF - and I'm saying IF - this year craters, I have every reason to believe a hard decision will be made to relieve Coach Umile before next season, so he can get a proper send-off in February/March 2017. And so Coach Souza gets a fair chance before further damage is done to the program while he's waiting patiently in the wings. Would Coach Umile accept such a scenario to "save" his hand-picked successor's UNH coaching career ... or is he stubborn enough to drag the whole thing down around him (including Coach Souza)?

... and amidst all of this uncertainty, whither Coach Stewart? I'm amazed he's still there TBH ...

Chuck, interesting points, but tell me why would Marty fire Souza/let him go when he hasn't had the chance to prove himself? (I know we are waiting to see recruiting results so that has to be at this point anyway, the only 'benchmark' one could/would have regarding his 'performance' as a coach...lemme know if I have that right). I would be very surprised if:

*DU leaves after this season...unless the $$ was there obviously in a buy out type of deal
*MSouza also gets the ax...if DU says ok I'm done..(see the above as I'm doubting that will happen...has UNH ever done a 'scorched earth' type of thing?
*UNH goes after the big fish in a National search....(If they really wanted to do this MSouza wouldn't have been named "HC in waiting" in the first place?)

The reason I think the last point is true is because why would they allow DU to have this 3 year 'deal' he has and allow him to pick his heir apparent if that was their intention in the first place?!? Makes no sense...the die is cast if you ask me. I mean...is this what you want to happen personally because quite frankly, even with my limited time as a fan (and I'll acknowledge still learning the ropes) I'd be shocked if any of these 'predictions' will pan out...I just think DU has too much pride in all of this, and I'm doubting Marty can actually pull the plug...despite fan complaints that have come his way.

'course I thought the election would be different also so there's that...

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

Chuck, interesting points, but tell me why would Marty fire Souza/let him go when he hasn't had the chance to prove himself? (I know we are waiting to see recruiting results so that has to be at this point anyway, the only 'benchmark' one could/would have regarding his 'performance' as a coach...lemme know if I have that right). I would be very surprised if:

*DU leaves after this season...unless the $$ was there obviously in a buy out type of deal
*MSouza also gets the ax...if DU says ok I'm done..(see the above as I'm doubting that will happen...has UNH ever done a 'scorched earth' type of thing?
*UNH goes after the big fish in a National search....(If they really wanted to do this MSouza wouldn't have been named "HC in waiting" in the first place?)

The reason I think the last point is true is because why would they allow DU to have this 3 year 'deal' he has and allow him to pick his heir apparent if that was their intention in the first place?!? Makes no sense...the die is cast if you ask me. I mean...is this what you want to happen personally because quite frankly, even with my limited time as a fan (and I'll acknowledge still learning the ropes) I'd be shocked if any of these 'predictions' will pan out...I just think DU has too much pride in all of this, and I'm doubting Marty can actually pull the plug...despite fan complaints that have come his way.

'course I thought the election would be different also so there's that...

I think 'Watcher's post this morning touches on something that's been overlooked to a degree. Yeah, we all want to see what Souza can do with his recruiting work ... but we also need to look at whether he's shown an ability to "coach up" the players he's been left to work with until his own guys begin to arrive on campus. Say what you will about Borek, but we do have a pretty solid baseline from his last several seasons of bringing in mid-level talent and getting them to play at a .500 level in D-1, and slightly above/below that in Hockey East.

In the one-plus seasons since Borek left and Souza replaced him, players mostly/entirely recruited during Borek's tenure have performed at a much lower level (last season), and I'm afraid they may be on the same track for this season - despite the cupcake-laden NC schedule. And given the opportunity to fill some unexpected openings with his own players, Souza has chosen not (or been unable?) to do so.

So actually ... I would say Souza already gets the chance to prove himself. Every day. Not too many assistants get a 3 year head start on a head coaching job, and basically get to "shop for the groceries" themselves. I know if I hired someone under those circumstances, and watched those years go by with the anointed successor doing precious little to warrant his early selection, I wouldn't be giving him a whole lot of extra rope in his "new" position. Because by the time 2018/2019 rolls around, Souza's not going to be "new" anymore, and the UNH roster should be stocked with HIS players. So the usual excuses - which may apply to a dwindling degree now - should be irrelevant in two years.

Just for the record ... I want Coach Umile to get to his 600 (and then some), and enjoy some success in big games before he retires, and I'm rooting for Coach Souza to make BS35+4 look like a frickin' genius afterwards. 'Cuz as a UNH fan, I want the program to be successful again, sooner rather than later. I am not in this for masochism. Their win is our win. But we're going to be at the midpoint of The Great 3 Year Plan in a month, and up to now, I don't know how anyone can term what's happened so far as having been in any way successful. And if things don't turn around in the next 30 or so days ...

 

[Greg Ambrose]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

But saying "dismissed" kind of begs the question on a kid who hasn't even been hired yet. He's on probation. Your comments on wins and losses is right in one sense. Souza is playing with others' recruits. But it is fair to see whether he has coached them up. Second, while playing with others' recruits, he has had flexibility to supplement the gaps this year. He did not do so. Third, the future. I don't know if Marty is even in a position to evaluate recruiting. His only inside people are Umile who would know nothing, and Stewart and Souza. I hope Marty uses time during conferences to talk to outsiders and get their views on whether recruiting portends an upswing. It might be different than his current limited feedback.

"Has he coached them up?' I've heard that phrase forever. To me it means that the kid sucks but, somehow, a different person behind the bench can somehow make him a better player. I probably should sit down for a few minutes of reflection, maybe consult with others who have followed the game as long as I have, and see if I can come up with some player who overcame his inability to play because there was a different coach. When I think of it, I can cite one example at UNH. When Brian LaRochelle came to UNH, primarily as a baseball recruit, somehow Dave Lassonde made him into a serviceable goalie in 1997 before Matile took over. Honestly, that is the only instance I can think of.

The second comment is about Souza's ability to recruit. This is his second year at UNH. My guess is that the roster of incoming freshmen was pretty much set before Souza even got to Durham. Do you know different? What freshman could have been passed over, deferred as it were, and, more importantly, what player could have taken this unfortunate player's place? You don't say but my guess is that you can throw out some names I have never heard of and, of course, we will have to genuflect. Interestingly, I haven't heard any names previously.

As for Marty's grasp of hockey recruiting, let's just say Marty is not a hockey guy. Back when I talked to him frequently for the newsletter it was clear to me he was much more concerned about season tickets, student behavior, fans traveling to opposing rinks, that sort of thing rather than the nuts and bolts of the game. From what I got back then, he was out of his depth if and when he ever talked about that sort of stuff. But, assuming Marty recognizes he is in a results oriented business, he knows just by walking around the arena on game nights that the public has opted out of UNH Hockey and that a few bells and whistles like the jumbotron are not going to put fannies in the seats. But I'll ask you. How effective do you think he would be going head-to-head with Umile about the quality of the recruits? Not much I would guess. Seriously, he might be wise to hire you as a consultant before he has that talk with Umile and Souza.

To me it is a given that Souza will be the coach. He expects it and, I would guess more importantly, his attorney expects it as well. Plus, Marty has never shown any inclination to get rid of people just because they don't win. Chuck may be right when he notes that Marty has to be concerned about the attendance, but Marty has to know that there are no easy ways to fix that problem. Hiring Josh Ciocco or Eric Boguneicki instead of Mike Souza is not going to change that.

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

I think 'Watcher's post this morning touches on something that's been overlooked to a degree. Yeah, we all want to see what Souza can do with his recruiting work ... but we also need to look at whether he's shown an ability to "coach up" the players he's been left to work with until his own guys begin to arrive on campus. Say what you will about Borek, but we do have a pretty solid baseline from his last several seasons of bringing in mid-level talent and getting them to play at a .500 level in D-1, and slightly above/below that in Hockey East.

In the one-plus seasons since Borek left and Souza replaced him, players mostly/entirely recruited during Borek's tenure have performed at a much lower level (last season), and I'm afraid they may be on the same track for this season - despite the cupcake-laden NC schedule. And given the opportunity to fill some unexpected openings with his own players, Souza has chosen not (or been unable?) to do so.

So actually ... I would say Souza already gets the chance to prove himself. Every day. Not too many assistants get a 3 year head start on a head coaching job, and basically get to "shop for the groceries" themselves. I know if I hired someone under those circumstances, and watched those years go by with the anointed successor doing precious little to warrant his early selection, I wouldn't be giving him a whole lot of extra rope in his "new" position. Because by the time 2018/2019 rolls around, Souza's not going to be "new" anymore, and the UNH roster should be stocked with HIS players. So the usual excuses - which may apply to a dwindling degree now - should be irrelevant in two years.

Just for the record ... I want Coach Umile to get to his 600 (and then some), and enjoy some success in big games before he retires, and I'm rooting for Coach Souza to make BS35+4 look like a frickin' genius afterwards. 'Cuz as a UNH fan, I want the program to be successful again, sooner rather than later. I am not in this for masochism. Their win is our win. But we're going to be at the midpoint of The Great 3 Year Plan in a month, and up to now, I don't know how anyone can term what's happened so far as having been in any way successful. And if things don't turn around in the next 30 or so days ...

I had written a more descript post but decided to just say that yeah, it is disappointing when we didn't get all of the CC's on the schedule as W's. And I know you want to see the team succeed agree we all benefit! Here are a few positives so far:

*The Frosh Line....great chemistry/ Grasso leads in PP goals, has had a pt. in every game/ BvR and Blackburn making great plays/scoring goals
*D has a great newcomer in Anthony Wyse, Cleland giving a ton of quality mins
*Top line of TyK, McNick and Salvaggio coming together. McNick coming off a multipoint weekend and there's nothing like a TyK shorthand goal. Nazarian back in the line up maybe this weekend?
*GK Tirone kept the 'Cats in the game as we battled back to tie 'Mack Saturday
Honorable Mention: ever noticed how fast Jamie Hill is?

(And on another note the parking has been GREAT in the Alumni Center... ) Let's take care of Umassy tomorrow night...AND win the annual "Pre Thanksgiving Clunker"

 

[all bear]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

No wise azz intended here, but why is it that UNH did not do a national search for a replacement? Is it because Umile yields so much power that the AD had no other choice? The more I think about this succession plan, the less it seems to make sense to me. Why put all your eggs in the basket of one, though successful, coach's opinion?

 

[Snively65]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

I had written a more descript post but decided to just say that yeah, it is disappointing when we didn't get all of the CC's on the schedule as W's. And I know you want to see the team succeed agree we all benefit! Here are a few positives so far:

*The Frosh Line....great chemistry/ Grasso leads in PP goals, has had a pt. in every game/ BvR and Blackburn making great plays/scoring goals
*D has a great newcomer in Anthony Wyse, Cleland giving a ton of quality mins
*Top line of TyK, McNick and Salvaggio coming together. McNick coming off a multipoint weekend and there's nothing like a TyK shorthand goal. Nazarian back in the line up maybe this weekend?
*GK Tirone kept the 'Cats in the game as we battled back to tie 'Mack Saturday
Honorable Mention: ever noticed how fast Jamie Hill is?

(And on another note the parking has been GREAT in the Alumni Center... ) Let's take care of Umassy tomorrow night...AND win the annual "Pre Thanksgiving Clunker"

Some early season stats for our next three games:

PWR, W-L-T, SOS
UNH: 39, 4-5-2, 40
UMass: 37, 3-5-1, 16
RPI: 57, 2-8-1, 48
Cornell: 38, 2-2-1, 59

Wow, who woulda thunk that SOS tally?

 

[Scott]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

No wise azz intended here, but why is it that UNH did not do a national search for a replacement? Is it because Umile yields so much power that the AD had no other choice? The more I think about this succession plan, the less it seems to make sense to me. Why put all your eggs in the basket of one, though successful, coach's opinion?

From your keyboard to God's ears.

Umile held all the cards back in 2000 when he was being woo'ed by UMass and AD Scarano essentially offered him a "coach-for-life" contract to keep him in Durham. Umile's the tail wagging the Scarano dog, succession plan and all.

 

[walrus]

From your keyboard to God's ears.

Umile held all the cards back in 2000 when he was being woo'ed by UMass and AD Scarano essentially offered him a "coach-for-life" contract to keep him in Durham. Umile's the tail wagging the Scarano dog, succession plan and all.

Maine made the mistake of no natl search when Walshy passed, see where it got them.

 

[Aerman]

"Has he coached them up?' I've heard that phrase forever. To me it means that the kid sucks but, somehow, a different person behind the bench can somehow make him a better player. I probably should sit down for a few minutes of reflection, maybe consult with others who have followed the game as long as I have, and see if I can come up with some player who overcame his inability to play because there was a different coach. When I think of it, I can cite one example at UNH. When Brian LaRochelle came to UNH, primarily as a baseball recruit, somehow Dave Lassonde made him into a serviceable goalie in 1997 before Matile took over. Honestly, that is the only instance I can think of.
.

I'm a bit surprised to see you take this position, Greg. I think it's pretty obvious a good coach can improve a player's game by teaching them things like positioning and getting them to work collectively in a scheme. Even when you get a great talent like Eichel, you can help him be better by understanding your team's systems and dynamics - and we don't have any Eichels. These kids are supposed to be D1 talents, and yet both first goals against last weekend looked like mite defense - three guys chasing the puck and nobody paying attention to the weak side. We didn't see that sort of mistake (much) during Torterella's brief stint, and you won't see that sort of thing from a Bazin team, despite their unimpressive recruiting. Team defense has noticeably declined since Torts departure, and not exclusively due to the talent drop off. At this point I don't care much which coach leaves if they replace him with a good defensive mind.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

Maine made the mistake of no natl search when Walshy passed, see where it got them.

It's funny ... Coach Whitehead's first 6 seasons at UMaine pretty much match Coach Umile's 6 season UNH apex.

And his final 6 UMaine seasons (and the prior 5 seasons at UML) look an awful lot like present day UNH.

Maybe Coach Souza can beg Grant Standbrook to be his assistant? That's all I've got ...

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

From your keyboard to God's ears.

Umile held all the cards back in 2000 when he was being woo'ed by UMass and AD Scarano essentially offered him a "coach-for-life" contract to keep him in Durham. Umile's the tail wagging the Scarano dog, succession plan and all.

Judy Ray IIRC. I know you know this Scott, but I guess I've got everyone conditioned with the BS35+4 thing.

 

[Scott]

Judy Ray IIRC. I know you know this Scott, but I guess I've got everyone conditioned with the BS35+4 thing.

Scarano was hired in the summer of 2000.

I thought that this was one his "first acts of
glory", but maybe it was Judy. At the very least, Scarano rubber-
stamped the deal.

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

Scarano was hired in the summer of 2000.

I thought that this was one his "first acts of
glory", but maybe it was Judy. At the very least, Scarano rubber-
stamped the deal. ��

http://www.uscho.com/2000/03/29/umile-turns-down-umass-will-stay-at-unh/

DURHAM, N.H. — University of New Hampshire athletic director Judy Ray announced Wednesday that coach Dick Umile will remain at UNH, and that the university is working out arrangements that will allow Umile to finish his coaching career with the Wildcats. The announcement came one day after he interviewed for the vacant coaching position at UMass-Amherst.

“I am very excited that UNH has made the commitment to me personally and to the hockey program,” Umile said. “I have every intention of completing my coaching career here at UNH.”

Fair is fair. We can't blame BS35+4 for the lifetime contract. (pointing at Judy Ray) It's all your fault!!

I'd forgotten the "Human Lightning Rod" had somehow put himself in contention for the job, too.

 

[e.cat]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

Looks like no Blackburn and no Naz tonight!

 

[e.cat]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

Blackburn not on the inactive list but I didn't see him in warm-ups!

 

[HockeyRef]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

Nice to take a early lead GRASSO adds to his point streak!

 

[Chuck Murray]

Re: UNH Wildcats 2016-17 -- We're Going to Have a Hockey Season Here!!

Salvaggio. McNicholas and Kelleher running riot so far tonight ... UNH 5 UMass 2, after 2 periods.