Re: RPI 2017 Off-Season: We March 4th into the Future
And you know this for a fact? Yes he has Jr coaching experience but he has no experience at the College level. Yes he's an alum but why does that make him the right guy? Too many people are hung up on alumni as coaches. If having an Alum was the right thing then more then 20% of D1 schools would have an Alum as their HC.
The one thing that matters most in hockey is winning. All else will follow if you have a winning program. HFH is not the bright and shinny star but take one look at North Dakota. They build a $100 million dollar facility and now they are cutting sports because of a budget short fall. HFH has a great atmosphere. Could it use some refurbishing yes. That's why the school is spending $22 million over the next 2 years. Kids have a great workout facility next door but they are building a new workout facility for the hockey players inside HFH.
My choice if I had one would be Bill Riga. He knows the ECAC inside and out. Helped put Union on the right path. Has been instrumental in the success at QPac. Has HC experience in Junior hockey in the EJHL and knows our team inside and out as it currently is constructed. He's best prepared to hit the ground running and make a quick turnaround. The other 3 candidates don't know this team. Barr has no HC experience and a great recruiter doesn't translate into a successful HC (see SA). Gosek has had tremendous success at Oswego and would be my second choice but at 56 yrs of age why leave now. Smith, his record as a HC is no different than SA and he's riding the success of a goaltender this year. Agree that there had to be other candidates out there but of the ones the school has chosen to interview, Riga hands down is the guy for the job IMO.
Originally posted by johnk
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And you know this for a fact? Yes he has Jr coaching experience but he has no experience at the College level. Yes he's an alum but why does that make him the right guy? Too many people are hung up on alumni as coaches. If having an Alum was the right thing then more then 20% of D1 schools would have an Alum as their HC.
The one thing that matters most in hockey is winning. All else will follow if you have a winning program. HFH is not the bright and shinny star but take one look at North Dakota. They build a $100 million dollar facility and now they are cutting sports because of a budget short fall. HFH has a great atmosphere. Could it use some refurbishing yes. That's why the school is spending $22 million over the next 2 years. Kids have a great workout facility next door but they are building a new workout facility for the hockey players inside HFH.
My choice if I had one would be Bill Riga. He knows the ECAC inside and out. Helped put Union on the right path. Has been instrumental in the success at QPac. Has HC experience in Junior hockey in the EJHL and knows our team inside and out as it currently is constructed. He's best prepared to hit the ground running and make a quick turnaround. The other 3 candidates don't know this team. Barr has no HC experience and a great recruiter doesn't translate into a successful HC (see SA). Gosek has had tremendous success at Oswego and would be my second choice but at 56 yrs of age why leave now. Smith, his record as a HC is no different than SA and he's riding the success of a goaltender this year. Agree that there had to be other candidates out there but of the ones the school has chosen to interview, Riga hands down is the guy for the job IMO.
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