Sources have indicated to FTT that Boston College Associated Head Coach Mike Cavanaugh has landed an interview for the UMass head coaching vacancy. It’s unknown when that interview will take place. Cavanaugh, Jerry York’s top assistant for years, of course has been rumored in nearly every coaching opening in the Northeast in recent years and was a finalist for both the Providence and Northeastern jobs last offseason. Prior to that he interviewed for the positions at both Ohio State and Brown. For whatever reason however Cavanaugh hasn’t been able to secure any of the positions he has pursued. We’ll see if his luck changes with UMass. Though Cavanaugh has been at the Heights for a long time, his early career there did not overlap with the time when UMass AD John McCutcheon was an assistant AD there.
Dick Baker of the Republican checks in with his thoughts about Toot Cahoon stepping down and in his view that it’s not a good thing for UMass. He also mentions that the school will be losing recruits as a result. I did reach out to Baker for clarification and he said that he’s speculating that UMass will lose recruits (something I believe also) but he doesn’t have any specific information as of yet. I’ve tried to confirm the status of some of the recruits but haven’t had any luck. Everyone is still listed on the Heisenberg site, that’s all I have to go on at this point. Prior to last week’s events I did hear that Zach Doerring, whom I wrote about in March, was due to visit campus this weekend. I have no idea what the status of that visit is now. I would guess it would be on hold at this time but with Len Quesnelle still on staff, maybe he will be getting to Amherst anyway. Doerring was being recruited by Northeastern so it’s likely he’ll be coming out this way regardless.
Jim Montgomery has been rumored to be a potential candidate for the head coaching job. His Dubuque Fighting Saints had three players taken in the first round of the NHL Draft last night.
Fear The Triangle - UMass Hockey Blog 
Anonymous
/ June 23, 2012Rumor mike basis from BUas well
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Anonymous
/ June 23, 2012what we need is someone who despises b.c…..not another friend of york
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ICEWEST
/ June 23, 2012I would think UMASS hockey needs someone to enhance the national status it achieved under Cahoon. You do that first by attracting top tier recruits. Cavanaugh seems the perfect fit. Polished, younger, successful and nationally know to potential recruits. Again,the only way to get better is to recruit better players. Cavanaugh has a great track record in that regard.
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rocks22
/ June 24, 2012Yep. Can’t argue with his recruiting skills.
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Colin Thompson
/ June 24, 2012rocks22 When do you think is the earliest we could and will hear who our New Coach is going to be? rocks 22 You do a lot for UMass Hockey through this and because of this blog. I respect and appreciate what you do for UMass Hockey because of your passion and loyalty for UMass Hockey. rocks22 UMass gets a lot of exposure and media attention because of this blog. rocks 22 Keep up the good work!
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rocks22
/ June 24, 2012Thanks Colin. Appreciate it. I have no idea how long this process will take. Hopefully we’ll have a coach sooner rather than later.
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Drew
/ June 23, 2012Cavanaugh was not among the final 5 candidates for NU. I know that much. What I don’t know is whether they were unimpressed after their first meeting or whether they were afraid to hire someone who is just waiting for his chance to succeed York.
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rocks22
/ June 24, 2012I think there’s a lot left unexplained when it comes to Cavanaugh’s poor luck in landing a head coaching job.
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big shot
/ June 23, 2012Toot’s last four years tells most that his time was up.Obviously he was a good guy, and an easy interview for Baker. But lets not let the facts get in the way of a good story.A 63 year old and was having a hard time getting around, and renovating a house in Marblehead,shows,even Toot knew it was time. Let’s hope the new coach can be a good guy, recruit better and win more games. Don’t blame the fans, as even with mediocre teams they have come out better than most schools. Thanks Toot and enjoy your big pension.
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Adam
/ June 24, 2012Do we know if there is any focus on maintaining all or any of the same type system as Toot? Obviously it wasn’t the most successful in the past but I think the current group found something in the playoffs last year. Although a huge shake-up is inevitable, it seems prudent to make it as seamless as possible.
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rocks22
/ June 24, 2012I would think they’re focused more on getting the right person for the long term. It’ll be up to that person to decide how much he wants to diverge from the past system immediately.
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Anonymous
/ June 25, 2012The next Shawn Walsh would be nice. But that is probably too much to wish for
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Pat
/ June 26, 2012Rocks, looks like KJ Tiefenworth and Oleg Yevenko is at the Isles Dev. Camp along w/ Boyle and Pereira. In terms of a fit for Cahoon’s replacement, we should get someone that’s committed to staying with the program long-term and has infectious energy. Look no further than what Molnar is already doing for football.
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Pat
/ June 26, 2012I meant to say that KJ and Oleg are at the camp, early morning grammatical errors hahahaha.
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rocks22
/ June 26, 2012Thanks. Looked all around for a Dev Camp roster last night. Couldn’t find one. Amazing how poor NHL teams are at this stuff sometimes.
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Tony
/ June 26, 2012When do season tix go on sale – now that football’s gone, so am I. Enjoy the Mullins atmosphere a lot more than the trip to Foxboro.
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rocks22
/ June 26, 2012Probably when or shortly after the schedule is released. That should be any day now. Season tickets are well worth it!
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