Really? When Sacarano was brought in Umile was King of the hill, the only game in town, and you're telling me Umile didn't have a place at the table? I don't think so!
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UNH Wildcats 2017 Off-season: The Clash Question
- Thread starter JB
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Really? When Sacarano was brought in Umile was King of the hill, the only game in town, and you're telling me Umile didn't have a place at the table? I don't think so!
NCAA watcher
Registered User
Maybe hire him as consultant to hang around the old persons retirement home, looking for the next millionaire librarian?
Umile being able to get Scarano to abdicate his job and instead allow Umile to hire his successor probably used up last political capital.
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Yeah. Would love to see him finish on a high note but if a bullfrog had wings he could fly. History is no guarantee of future results but I'm a seller at this point, not a buyer!
That's a very good point!
Re: UNH Wildcats 2017 Off-season: The Clash Question
Bingo. I am probably about your age Greg. Had a great consulting business for the last 25 years. I do a very limited gig now with one client where my skill set still really fits. But I don't have the skills or drive in other areas like the young guys do. I don't want to get up to speed -- too much of a project. When my limited work drys up or I, inevitably, start losing it there, I will hang it up and live on what I've got and a little SS.
Came to UNH in 1970. Loved Umile as a player. He did a lot for the program as a coach. But it's time for a change. When you "lose your fastball", it's time. The mythical number is just a number. It's time for a new guy to get a shot at resurrecting the program.
Bingo. I am probably about your age Greg. Had a great consulting business for the last 25 years. I do a very limited gig now with one client where my skill set still really fits. But I don't have the skills or drive in other areas like the young guys do. I don't want to get up to speed -- too much of a project. When my limited work drys up or I, inevitably, start losing it there, I will hang it up and live on what I've got and a little SS.
Came to UNH in 1970. Loved Umile as a player. He did a lot for the program as a coach. But it's time for a change. When you "lose your fastball", it's time. The mythical number is just a number. It's time for a new guy to get a shot at resurrecting the program.
Chuck Murray
WIS & Effingwoods Hockey Almanac
Re: UNH Wildcats 2017 Off-season: The Clash Question
Regarding use of the term "allowed" ... there is one (1) year left on Coach Umile's contract. No doubt it obligates UNH to pay him a set sum for his coaching services next season. What it almost certainly does NOT obligate UNH (or entitle Coach Umile) to do is to put Coach behind the bench. There are folks all over the coaching landscape who have been terminated before the terms of their contract have expired - pro, college, and probably a select few HS coaches from affluent programs - who are still getting paid by their program/club NOT to coach.
Whether it's called a buyout, early retirement, etc. ... Coach has virtually zero leverage, being under contract for one more season at his alma mater, with no recent track record of success to support his continued presence at the front of his program. He's probably spent the last remaining bit of his capital on hiring Souza as his own replacement (as 'Watcher points out), and in doing so, he continues to coach at the AD's generosity. The cost associated with a buyout (max the one year remaining on his deal) has never been lower, and the case for his continued presence as HC has never been weaker.
I'm sure there will be a few folks up in Concord who would gripe if they bought Coach out early ... but think about it, what's the real cost to do this? Coach Souza and Coach Stewart are both already under contract, so UNH was going to pay all three guys next season anyway. If you replace Coach Umile next season with an assistant making a fraction of what Umile makes, then that (plus any contractual "bump" that Souza may get for moving to the HC job a year earlier than expected) is the actual added or extra cost of buying him out. And my guess is that number would be a lot closer to $100,000 (if that?) than the $250,000 or so you're already obligated to pay Coach Umile regardless.
Coach Umile hasn't been holding all the cards since he agreed to the 3 year plan with his guy (instead of Borek or an outside candidate from a national search) waiting to take over when he finished up.
My guess (and yes, it's a guess, but with some logic) is the decision is finalized tomorrow - by the AD, not Coach - and then on Thursday there is the season-ending presser, plus the HE awards banquet later that night.
If Coach is still in charge after Thursday's events, then it's on with The Quest for the NRN, I'm afraid. JMHO.
Regarding use of the term "allowed" ... there is one (1) year left on Coach Umile's contract. No doubt it obligates UNH to pay him a set sum for his coaching services next season. What it almost certainly does NOT obligate UNH (or entitle Coach Umile) to do is to put Coach behind the bench. There are folks all over the coaching landscape who have been terminated before the terms of their contract have expired - pro, college, and probably a select few HS coaches from affluent programs - who are still getting paid by their program/club NOT to coach.
Whether it's called a buyout, early retirement, etc. ... Coach has virtually zero leverage, being under contract for one more season at his alma mater, with no recent track record of success to support his continued presence at the front of his program. He's probably spent the last remaining bit of his capital on hiring Souza as his own replacement (as 'Watcher points out), and in doing so, he continues to coach at the AD's generosity. The cost associated with a buyout (max the one year remaining on his deal) has never been lower, and the case for his continued presence as HC has never been weaker.
I'm sure there will be a few folks up in Concord who would gripe if they bought Coach out early ... but think about it, what's the real cost to do this? Coach Souza and Coach Stewart are both already under contract, so UNH was going to pay all three guys next season anyway. If you replace Coach Umile next season with an assistant making a fraction of what Umile makes, then that (plus any contractual "bump" that Souza may get for moving to the HC job a year earlier than expected) is the actual added or extra cost of buying him out. And my guess is that number would be a lot closer to $100,000 (if that?) than the $250,000 or so you're already obligated to pay Coach Umile regardless.
Coach Umile hasn't been holding all the cards since he agreed to the 3 year plan with his guy (instead of Borek or an outside candidate from a national search) waiting to take over when he finished up.
My guess (and yes, it's a guess, but with some logic) is the decision is finalized tomorrow - by the AD, not Coach - and then on Thursday there is the season-ending presser, plus the HE awards banquet later that night.
If Coach is still in charge after Thursday's events, then it's on with The Quest for the NRN, I'm afraid. JMHO.
NCAA watcher
Registered User
Re: UNH Wildcats 2017 Off-season: The Clash Question
Add Red Berenson at Michigan. Now just Umile and York in the over 60 set.
edit: Andy Murray, Western
Add Red Berenson at Michigan. Now just Umile and York in the over 60 set.
edit: Andy Murray, Western
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Greg Ambrose
Registered User
There's a difference between having a seat at the table, which is essentially what I said, and having a hand in bringing Scarano in, which implies that he was part of a recruiting process. Although Scarano had worked at Colgate, when he got to UNH he had to get up to speed when it came to hockey. I think we can all agree he has badly managed the hockey culture during his reign, now going on 17 years.
Greg Ambrose
Registered User
Dean Blais as well. Young man's game. It wouldn't shock me if York retired as well. He's 71 and he has had to deal with this vision problem for the past couple of years. If BC has a run in the playoffs, gets to the FF, he might bid adieu.
Blais, out of the game as of yesterday, and seemingly pushed after wondering incredulously about how rumors get started just two days ago...
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HockeyRef
Well-known member
Speaking of Red B just read that he will make the announcement shortly (after their tournament appearance?) and that it is "on the table". What really caught my eye was a Michigan hockey blogger who really nailed what I see as the issue (which Greg has made clear)is far too common not only in athletics: (And in no way am I trying to imply Coach U is a Bobby Bowden or Joe Paterno (ugh)
"You see it when a coach becomes synonymous with a program and nobody can tell him it's over. Joe Paterno and Bobby Bowden are the prime exemplars. Those regimes had upward blips that were just enough ammunition to say "he's still got it" amidst a steady long-term decline, and ending them was either a nasty fight (Bowden) or only triggered by something unthinkable Paterno"
-the column ended with a very true statement we ALL deal with at one time or another: "Time makes beggars of us all"....
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Re: UNH Wildcats 2017 Off-season: The Clash Question
College hockey coaching is a young mans game. You have to have the energy and motivation (recruiting trips, etc) and also connect with potential recruits. I cant speak highly enough of Coach Umile. He is a legend. That being said I think most of us are in agreement that its best for the UNH hockey program for him to retire at this point so we can transition into the next phase of UNH hockey. The program needs a shot in the arm. I expect an announcement tomorrow that he is in fact retiring and Souza takes over.
College hockey coaching is a young mans game. You have to have the energy and motivation (recruiting trips, etc) and also connect with potential recruits. I cant speak highly enough of Coach Umile. He is a legend. That being said I think most of us are in agreement that its best for the UNH hockey program for him to retire at this point so we can transition into the next phase of UNH hockey. The program needs a shot in the arm. I expect an announcement tomorrow that he is in fact retiring and Souza takes over.
NCAA watcher
Registered User
Re: UNH Wildcats 2017 Off-season: The Clash Question
I think we're all trending in that direction. Any idea who Mike hires to help him?
I think we're all trending in that direction. Any idea who Mike hires to help him?
Re: UNH Wildcats 2017 Off-season: The Clash Question
And just because one may advocate for his retirement does not mean that it is done in a mean-spirited way. There is no correlation there. Because there are always exceptions. Nobody is saying there should be a "mandatory retirement" age. But after watching video of the last couple of post-game pressers, he just seemed, I don't know, "resigned," or "defeated," or "lacking energy." Not sure what the exact word is...but time beats everybody down eventually.
And just because one may advocate for his retirement does not mean that it is done in a mean-spirited way. There is no correlation there. Because there are always exceptions. Nobody is saying there should be a "mandatory retirement" age. But after watching video of the last couple of post-game pressers, he just seemed, I don't know, "resigned," or "defeated," or "lacking energy." Not sure what the exact word is...but time beats everybody down eventually.
Well said. Have noticed is some interviews this year seems a little disconnected and not doing as many as before. Sometime it's just time to move but that does take away all he accomplished for the program and that is what should be honored. He has given more the program then everyone on here combined.
Re: UNH Wildcats 2017 Off-season: The Clash Question
Let's put it this way. He doesn't look like he did when we used to occasionally bump into him at the Rosa (before the "renovation" and new ownership)! "Disconnected" is actually the right word. "Detached" would be another one.
But don't worry...this will pass and when people look back on these years his contribution will be given its due recognition. Things always get jumbled up during the current turmoil, but this will pass and history will record the Umile years fairly, accurately, and with the respect and admiration that he has earned. It just takes a little time and people can't see it objectively at the moment.
Let's put it this way. He doesn't look like he did when we used to occasionally bump into him at the Rosa (before the "renovation" and new ownership)! "Disconnected" is actually the right word. "Detached" would be another one.
But don't worry...this will pass and when people look back on these years his contribution will be given its due recognition. Things always get jumbled up during the current turmoil, but this will pass and history will record the Umile years fairly, accurately, and with the respect and admiration that he has earned. It just takes a little time and people can't see it objectively at the moment.
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Greg Ambrose
Registered User
Very similar to Charlie Holt. There was a "thank god" reaction among many when Charlie stepped down. But it didn't take many years before his time as coach was looked at fondly. Btw, Charlie was younger than Umile is now when he retired.
NCAA watcher
Registered User
Re: UNH Wildcats 2017 Off-season: The Clash Question
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1 more year! Dick Umile tells he will coach UNH Hockey next year, then retire and Mike Souza will take over <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHWildcats">@UNHWildcats</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hockey_east">@hockey_east</a> via J <a href="https://t.co/0J6USApYj6">pic.twitter.com/0J6USApYj6</a></p>— WMUR Sports (@WMUR9_Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/WMUR9_Sports/status/842120628148834304">March 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">1 more year! Dick Umile tells he will coach UNH Hockey next year, then retire and Mike Souza will take over <a href="https://twitter.com/UNHWildcats">@UNHWildcats</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hockey_east">@hockey_east</a> via J <a href="https://t.co/0J6USApYj6">pic.twitter.com/0J6USApYj6</a></p>— WMUR Sports (@WMUR9_Sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/WMUR9_Sports/status/842120628148834304">March 15, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
HockeyRef
Well-known member
Welp there it is and not surprised.
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