Next Michigan Hockey Coach
No, I'm not calling for Berenson to leave anytime soon. But the topic came up in a thread below and I've thought about it enough over the past 10 years... so here's a thread.
Most likely, it'll be a smooth transition to Pearson/Powers. There are issues with this however:
1) Many would argue that this type of change doesn't infuse new blood that the program may need.
2) Which of the two gets the head gig and does the other stay?
So, I'll go off the board and suggest an outside candidate: Seth Appert. former DU assistant & current coach at RPI. He's got recruiting ties to the USHL (due to his WCHA roots), has demonstrated an ability to recruit the USNT (his current role at RPI), and has actually turned perennial ECAC also ran RPI around with top recruiting classes the last two years. He's young and can recruit and has experience in two different leagues.
February 14th, 2010 at 5:59 PM ^
But do you want to risk losing Pearson/Powers if they are asked to stay on as assistants to a different head coach?
February 14th, 2010 at 6:05 PM ^
Well, the assumption is that if you go outside the program, that yes you've already assessed the likelyhood that they leave. I'm not in favor of this, just throwing out options.
February 14th, 2010 at 6:23 PM ^
but given the bumpy transitions that outside guys like RR and Beilein have endured so far, it wouldn't surprise me if Brandon chose to stay within the program simply for continuity's sake. I agree that this doesn't seem to offer "new blood," but maybe Pearson or Powers would be making changes that they're not able to under Red. Just guessing totally here...It's a damn interesting question, though: how do you replace a legend?
February 14th, 2010 at 6:53 PM ^
I'm more concerned with whom of the two gets the gig tho, and how that changes the dynamics of the staff/team.
February 14th, 2010 at 8:05 PM ^
Mel Pearson would seem to be the obvious choice as heir apparent to Berenson. Although this coming from a guy who doesnt know a whole hell of a lot about the hockey team. If Brandon goes in-house then it would have to be Pearson.
February 14th, 2010 at 6:34 PM ^
has to name a coach in waiting...
February 14th, 2010 at 6:43 PM ^
Come on, we all know it will be West Virginia's hockey coach.
February 14th, 2010 at 6:45 PM ^
topical...
February 14th, 2010 at 7:10 PM ^
I thought that was funny you big JERK FACE
February 14th, 2010 at 7:44 PM ^
It was HI-larious!
February 14th, 2010 at 8:53 PM ^
Bubba Lemieux- current WVU hockey coach.
February 14th, 2010 at 9:00 PM ^
Scotty Bowman?
February 14th, 2010 at 11:44 PM ^
coach the Red Wings during their camp in Traverse City every summer, so he and Mike Babcock have a pretty good relationship, plus the Saskatchewan connection. If we have to choose someone, I guess the head coach of the Canadian Olympic team might be good enough. Besides, his hair is absolutely PERFECT.
I should stop talking about this, the more I think of it, the more I convince myself that it could happen and makes me kind of want the Wings to not make the play-offs the next two seasons to he's available...
February 15th, 2010 at 10:22 AM ^
Scotty Bowman works for the Chicago Blackhawks these days, he went there 2 yrs ago...about the time Chicago turned around thier lousy team. He went there to be with his son, who is also in that organization. I hate to rain on your parade but he will not be coming to UofM.
February 15th, 2010 at 10:40 AM ^
Scotty's daughter is an alumnus of UM, and he went to a few games at Yost when she was in school. I got to sit behind him once when he was watching Knuble.
I agree he probably won't be coming here, but he does have a connection.
February 14th, 2010 at 10:12 PM ^
It's not a bad time to start thinking about it. Red's not getting pushed out, and no one should, but he's not getting younger. It wouldn't surprise me to see him retire after next season, when he's coached the most attended hockey game off all time.
Is there any worry about a Lloyd assistant thing going on by hiring from within? Have either of them given signs toward being an up and coming head coach?
I ask, because hockey isn't my area of expertise. While we're still running a top notch program, the highs do seem to be a bit fewer and farther inbetween than they used to, so I wonder if this is a continuity situation or a fresh blood one. I could see arguments either way.
February 14th, 2010 at 10:52 PM ^
Rico Blase is a former player at Miami who has built that school into a perennial national power, he's not leaving for another school. He is also an ass who hates Michigan. In 2006 I went to the games in Oxford when Miami was #1 and Michigan was #2. While sitting behind the Miami bench, my friend and I were surrounded by kids in the 5-10 year old range. We kept our cheering clean so as not to be kicked out. As soon as Miami scored their first goal of the night in the Friday game, Blase turned around, pointed at us and clearly yelled "Fuck you, you fucking cocksuckers!" Not the move of a man who would have any interest in someday coaching the Wolverines.
February 15th, 2010 at 8:24 AM ^
And this story is getting a full FAKE from me.
February 15th, 2010 at 9:47 AM ^
I've heard in a couple of places that Rico likes to ermm, "get into the game with fans" dropping a few F-bombs here and there.
I don't think he hates Michigan, because I've heard it from various people from various schools, I think it's just what he does. I think if we offered he would think about it. I don't think he would take it, but I think he'd hesitate before he said no. That being said, I'm not sure I want him. He's obviously a pretty darn good coach, but I've never really liked him.
February 15th, 2010 at 12:03 AM ^
This program needs new blood? Nope.
Mel Pearson. End of discussion.
February 15th, 2010 at 1:23 AM ^
it has been documented in various news outlets that Red wants Pearson to be the head coach. That has been the talk for awhile now.
February 15th, 2010 at 1:51 AM ^
I'm kind of in the new blood category, but that might just because I came in around the time of RichRod and Beilein and that's what was in vogue at the time, but I would be perfectly happy with Mel as head coach. I think what I really want when I say new blood is a Michigan alumni who went on to have a great NHL playing career, then coached in the NHL and won the Jack Adams and now wants to come back to coach his alma mater. But I don't think there's any more of those floating around :-( We're so spoiled by Red it's ridiculous. 19 straight NCAA appearances, 2 national titles, something above a .69 winning percentage coming into the season (which, comparing it to the coaches with greater win totals is second only to Ron Mason). Ugh Here's to hoping for a miraculous run through the CCHA tourney, to make it to tourney #20 and then NC #3 for Red. If State and Comley can do it, we certainly can...
February 15th, 2010 at 1:57 AM ^
Wayne Gretzky or bust
February 15th, 2010 at 9:01 AM ^
Let's go with Isiah Thomas.
February 15th, 2010 at 9:30 AM ^
.....Trenton HS