Men's Hockey Head Coach -- Decision-Time

Submitted by SF Wolverine on

If you want your voice to be heard on the new hockey coach, now is the time.  I understand that Red's time is done, and that internal idscussions are active.  I am a Mel Pearson supporter, and am reaching out to my contacts to support his candidacy.  I realize he's not as young as many would like, but I think that is the fault of the athletic administration.  He could have a nice run here, and get things back on a solid footing. 

Dylan

April 6th, 2017 at 11:45 AM ^

So you basically clicked-us into the same thread that has existed probably ten times now since the season ended?  Cool, man.

HarbaughsLeftElbow

April 6th, 2017 at 11:47 AM ^

Mel Pearson is fine but Michigan is almost certainly a top 5 job. We should be able to get a top 5 type coach. I would prefer one of the coaches from Providence, Union, Quinnipiac, or a former NHL/strong AHL coach. 

steve sharik

April 6th, 2017 at 5:07 PM ^

Your premise that Mel isn't top 5 is absurd.

Michigan Tech hasn't had a winning program since John MacInnes (he of 555 wins--record broken by Ron Mason) hung up his whistle in 1982. That was 35 years ago.

The three coaches at Tech prior to Mel had winning percentages of 26.5%, 28.6%, and 29.1% over the period of 1996 - 2011. Mel's winning percentage at Tech is 55.4%.

Mel just won the WCHA championship.Tech hasn't won it since 1981.

Mel's resume is just as strong as the coaches at the schools you cited, and he coached at Michigan for 23 years. Mel is not only a top 5 coach, he's the best candidate for the job. 

Wolverine Devotee

April 6th, 2017 at 11:48 AM ^

pet peeve: people saying Red built the Hockey program.

Go look up Vic Heyliger. Won 6 National titles and then retired at age 45 after going to the first 10 Frozen Fours in a row.

truferblue22

April 6th, 2017 at 1:34 PM ^

So I want Red to go as much as anyone else...but I feel like you really don't appreciate at all what he's done. Is his time up? Yes definitely...but modern Michigan Hockey is what it is thanks to him. He's been amazing in that respect.

truferblue22

April 6th, 2017 at 4:05 PM ^

As am I; he needs to go. And for the record, I'm fine with you, so don't take this personally (I know you have your MGoEnemies; I'm definitely not one of them) but I totally see you -- let's call it--"underappreciating" Red, a lot. 

lhglrkwg

April 6th, 2017 at 11:50 AM ^

This is just going to turn right into one of the ten other threads we've had on this discussion. Let me summarize it so we can stop here

  • "Red has earned the right to retire whenever he wants!"
  • "Red should be forced to retire. He's not an adequate coach anymore!"
  • Maizen(sp?) advocates for the guy from Lowell
  • Many people advocate for Mel. Some also point out that Mel isn't young anymore either
  • We have 50 more posts saying the same points above in varying ways

The Maizer

April 6th, 2017 at 11:55 AM ^

OP, when you say "I understand that Red's time is done and internal discussions are active" do you mean to say that you have heard something new and credible about this? Or still the same speculation that's been ongoing for a month (or years really).

The Maizer

April 6th, 2017 at 12:02 PM ^

I'd recommend making that more clear in your post or title then. It's easy to misinterpret what you wrote as just trying to facilitate further discussion without new info.

Regardless, I'm excited that there is some movement here at long last. I hope we have a homerun hire that the fanbase can unite behind!

stephenrjking

April 6th, 2017 at 12:07 PM ^

That's a pretty big nugget of info if true. You'll pardon some initial skepticism, since I don't have an easy way of verifying your accuracy, but if you have good info this is good news. I would like to see at least some form of a national search. Get the best guy out there.

mGrowOld

April 6th, 2017 at 12:14 PM ^

FWIW I have a good friend who's an assistant hockey coach at UM Dearborn.  I just sent him an email asking if he's heard anything new regarding Red's status and he said no - nothing new on that front that's he aware of.  So there's that.

Not saying the OP isnt accurate cause maybe Red is telling people the OP knows personally but the guy I know personally who's connected to the program hasnt heard that news yet.

lhglrkwg

April 6th, 2017 at 12:28 PM ^

maybe your guy does know folks in the AD and if so cool, but on a macro level, I highly doubt club coaches at Dearborn and Flint ever talk to anyone in the Ann Arbor AD on a regular basis. Two totally different worlds, and basically two totally different schools. I certainly wouldn't assume a club hockey coach at Dearborn has any involvement with our hockey program unless someone stated that outright

mGrowOld

April 6th, 2017 at 12:28 PM ^

"The guy" has been coaching his whole life in the Detroit area, is closer to Red's age than 90% of the board and claims (although I have no evidence to support this) to be his friend.

That's all I know.  He's a neighbor of mine during the summer on the islands.   Maybe he's completely full of shit and has never spoken to Red in his life, what with him being a coach for a club program and all.  I truly dont know.