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econalum

Well, there has been a LOT of discussion in the game thread on this topic. Now that the season is over, I think that it is time to create a centering thread.

My vote - find a new coach.

Why?

1. Lack of Playoff performance and success.
2. Inconsistent team play within each season. Some seasons, it feels like the team quits.
3. Energy and Excitement is lacking - the program seems to be tracking sideways.
4. Mediocrity should not be institutionalized. And it has been quite mediocre in perhaps the top league in College Hockey. And with N.D. entering, it will be even more competitive. And UM will be lucky to reach the H.E. playoffs, with so many 'hockey first' colleges in the conference.

Finally, change is good. Unless one has a track record of 70%+ winning percentage, or so, you change the coach to get the next level. 11 years is plenty of time to give his program a shot. It peaked, and has since declined, at leadt in my view.

Here is his official bio http://www.umassathletics.com/sports/m-hockey/mtt/cahoon_don00.html

In my view, his best days are 4 or 5 years past. Time to change.

Econ
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Berkman · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 7:15 am Post subject:

Toot stays.

http://blog.masslive.com/umass-hockey/2012/03/umass_hockey_coach_toot_cahoon_will_be_retained_wants_to_stay_on_even_longer.html

Mass Grad · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 8:26 am Post subject:

Sad. He has failed to keep up with the competition. Recruiting, game management, player motivation all below minimal expectations. He has had his chances.

Rocks22 · Hall of Fame Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 9191

If Toot's retention comes as a surprise to anyone they haven't been paying close attention to the hockey program in recent yeaes (or been reading my blog enough Wink

). For a variety of reasons, there was no way McCutcheon was going to make a change.
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bleedmaroon · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 2:04 pm Post subject:

I don't think the retention is a surprise for 2012-13 Rocks. Him staying on for 2013-14 and beyond is the part that disappoints and maddens many. He may be rejuvenated, but most are feeling quite the opposite.

InnervisionsUMASS · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 2:15 pm Post subject:

In the midst of reading about all of this over the last two years, I've seen a lot of people calling for his head, but no real, viable replacement candidates being suggested. A few pipedreams, sure, but that's it.
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Rocks22 · Hall of Fame Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 9191

jjmc85 · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 2:37 pm Post subject:

InnervisionsUMASS · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 2:55 pm Post subject:

I know you can, Rocks. I also believe you know more about hockey and this program and the majority of us combined. You really are the last person I was referring to.

The Morris situation was a completely different beast. Comparing the situations isn't really possible. Morris took a strong team and made it worse over 3 years, during a VERY important period of time for the program and the biggest decision the school has ever made about the program. If we were going to stay as a 1-AA team, then I'd agree with you that we should have been providing names of viable candidates to replace him... but only a few of us had any real idea what the gravity of the move to 1-A would be and who could do it (a current 1-A coach, an up-and-coming 1-AA coach, an NFL person?) Hard to throw names out there when everything is so up in the air. I don't see how that is at all similar to Toot and the Hockey program.

Based on what bleedmaroon posted in the BC thread:

wmmmfan · Sophomore Joined: 20 Aug 2010 Posts: 214

I would think with everything going on around the University athletic teams that a buy out on the final year wasn't going to happen. Also, I would assume McCutcheon getting football into an FBS league and all that came with it (new coach,making a deal with the Kraft family and the MAC), keeping up with conference changes/possible opportunities the AD didn't have time to thoroughly prepare to conduct a proper search for the HC position.

I would like the coach to turn it around, but I think the team has under achieved over the last several years and a change is needed.

jjmc85 · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 4:55 pm Post subject:

InnervisionsUMASS · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:07 pm Post subject:

meff · Senior Joined: 10 Nov 2003 Posts: 895 Location: Hanover

As Innervisions said:

78 · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 6:44 pm Post subject:

Great. Maybe they want to get the program to the point where no one goes to the games anymore. Then they can get rid of Toot and find a new coach. The guy made the program semi-legit in Hockey East, but the last few years have not been good. I just can't wait for another year of consistent inconsistency, too many men on the ice penalties and another struggle to make the playoffs. As for a replacement, that's the AD's job, not mine. Who knows what young, up and coming coach might be out there?

As for being a sleeping giant, maybe so, but it might be one of the deepest sleeps I have ever seen.
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jjmc85 · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 7:18 pm Post subject: