Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Re: UNH Wildcats 2017/2018 - Umile's Last Stand - The Grand Finale
One week from today, we'll see if Souza follows 'Watcher's script for the roll-out (below).
So, how does UNH roll out the Souza era?
hope this year they have the roll-out ready, with Souza already preparing his message to the public about 1) how unacceptable the past years have been, 2) that changes will be made to finally imprint himself on the program, including setting specific goals for players because they are capable of so much more, and 3) that he can't yet announce the coaching staff, because some candidates are under contract with other teams, but that he recognizes the needs of the program, both on the ice and in recruiting, that they need a mix of PROVEN experience to assure recruits that they will get good on ice coaching, but also that they need to be aggressive in selling the program to recruits.
Dick Umile should not be at the announcement. He's had his goodbye.
This is a chance to stop looking backward, and start looking foward. No more family, history, or how good the school was for you. This is about results on the ice, and even though we expect them to avail themselves of academic opportuntiies and being good character kids, that is implied. Its the need for on-ice skills that this press conference is about.
Souza must not mention Dick Umile at all in the message, other than a brief thank him for the opportunity and all he's done, but from here on, he is not looking backward. Nobody wants to talk about the past, which is irrelevant to recruits, other than to acknowledge that changes are needed, and that there are lots of opportunities for aggressive recruiting. The message must all be about the future, and CHANGES from the past, not an attempt to fawn over it. The message -- whether true or not -- is that Mike couldn't implement all he wanted, but that he now has full control, and that all aspects of the program will be analyzed over the summer, from recruiting, coaching and fan interaction. It's also not wrong to recognize that there were missteps, from which you have learned, just as there have been missteps from the players from which he expects growth. There is now urgency, because he is accountable. That includes getting the best assistant coaches, regardless of whether they are UNH alums, and UNH is willing to pay competitive salary to get the best assistants. There are a few building blocks who provide a good base, but lots of moving parts and opportunities for Souza to bring in his guys.
(1) No way he's not going to mention Coach Umile. He has the job solely due to his predecessor;
(2) I'll be surprised if he dumps on this year's team or its results. He owns a good part of that too;
(3) He won't be making any pronouncements about his hands being tied the last 3 years, even if true;
(4) Fully expect to see Coach Stewart there IF he's indeed returning;
(5) I don't expect any announcement (or even any mention) of the other incoming assistant issue;
(6) Coach Umile won't attend. As he said in concluding his presser, "he doesn't need me" (or words to that effect).
I think 'Watcher's point is that he might not say a lot of these things, but his message must be clear and leave no doubt that what has happened the last few seasons will indeed CHANGE. The direction of the program for far too long has been downwards, even when it's been slow and subtle. The last few seasons, it's become a death spiral. Turning things around from that starting point is going to take a lot more than a great personality and institutional knowledge of all things UNH. It's going to be a 24/7/365 proposition for a few years at least for Souza, and if he doesn't see it that way, then he's kidding himself if he thinks less will suffice in his new job.
Good luck, Coach Souza. JMHO.
One week from today, we'll see if Souza follows 'Watcher's script for the roll-out (below).
So, how does UNH roll out the Souza era?
hope this year they have the roll-out ready, with Souza already preparing his message to the public about 1) how unacceptable the past years have been, 2) that changes will be made to finally imprint himself on the program, including setting specific goals for players because they are capable of so much more, and 3) that he can't yet announce the coaching staff, because some candidates are under contract with other teams, but that he recognizes the needs of the program, both on the ice and in recruiting, that they need a mix of PROVEN experience to assure recruits that they will get good on ice coaching, but also that they need to be aggressive in selling the program to recruits.
Dick Umile should not be at the announcement. He's had his goodbye.
This is a chance to stop looking backward, and start looking foward. No more family, history, or how good the school was for you. This is about results on the ice, and even though we expect them to avail themselves of academic opportuntiies and being good character kids, that is implied. Its the need for on-ice skills that this press conference is about.
Souza must not mention Dick Umile at all in the message, other than a brief thank him for the opportunity and all he's done, but from here on, he is not looking backward. Nobody wants to talk about the past, which is irrelevant to recruits, other than to acknowledge that changes are needed, and that there are lots of opportunities for aggressive recruiting. The message must all be about the future, and CHANGES from the past, not an attempt to fawn over it. The message -- whether true or not -- is that Mike couldn't implement all he wanted, but that he now has full control, and that all aspects of the program will be analyzed over the summer, from recruiting, coaching and fan interaction. It's also not wrong to recognize that there were missteps, from which you have learned, just as there have been missteps from the players from which he expects growth. There is now urgency, because he is accountable. That includes getting the best assistant coaches, regardless of whether they are UNH alums, and UNH is willing to pay competitive salary to get the best assistants. There are a few building blocks who provide a good base, but lots of moving parts and opportunities for Souza to bring in his guys.
(1) No way he's not going to mention Coach Umile. He has the job solely due to his predecessor;
(2) I'll be surprised if he dumps on this year's team or its results. He owns a good part of that too;
(3) He won't be making any pronouncements about his hands being tied the last 3 years, even if true;
(4) Fully expect to see Coach Stewart there IF he's indeed returning;
(5) I don't expect any announcement (or even any mention) of the other incoming assistant issue;
(6) Coach Umile won't attend. As he said in concluding his presser, "he doesn't need me" (or words to that effect).
I think 'Watcher's point is that he might not say a lot of these things, but his message must be clear and leave no doubt that what has happened the last few seasons will indeed CHANGE. The direction of the program for far too long has been downwards, even when it's been slow and subtle. The last few seasons, it's become a death spiral. Turning things around from that starting point is going to take a lot more than a great personality and institutional knowledge of all things UNH. It's going to be a 24/7/365 proposition for a few years at least for Souza, and if he doesn't see it that way, then he's kidding himself if he thinks less will suffice in his new job.
Good luck, Coach Souza. JMHO.
