After USHL coach Mark Carlson visited Amherst earlier in the week UMass has been waiting to see if the trip east went well enough to lure him from the job he’s been in for the past 12 seasons. Late Friday it was reported that the prospect of the UMass hockey coaching job wasn’t enough for him to leave his current position in Cedar Rapids. In my opinion the idea of Carlson as coach was much better than guys like Rand Pecknold or Paul Pearl who hadn’t consistently been able to make the NCAA tournament in their current positions in lesser leagues. Carlson would’ve brought a ton of experience and reputation as one of the best coaches in amateur hockey. In the end, UMass AD John McCutcheon could not convince him that the job in Amherst was better than the one he has currently in Iowa.
It’s unknown where UMass will turn from here. Many think they’ll look to UNH Associate Coach Scott Borek who interviewed earlier in the week. Borek has been in Durham for the past decade and has head coaching experience at Lake Superior State, though was let go after he went 76-94-15 in 5 seasons. Personally I think at this point UMass’ best bet would probably be to hire former assistant coach Red Gendron who is familiar with the program and players, understands the unique challenges in Amherst, and as far as I know is genuinely interested enough in the job that he’d take it if offered.
At this point however who knows what direction McCutcheon will go in. I can tell you that given all that has gone on with the hockey program this summer I have exactly zero confidence in him to do what’s best for UMass hockey in the end though. We’ll see if he can prove me, and a good portion of other UMass hockey fans, wrong in that regard.
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A few Jon Quick related links to share:
First, NESN says he’s tops among Americans currently playing in the NHL.
New England Hockey Journal has this in-depth feature that outlines his recruitment to and development at UMass. Ironically it also talks about how much Quick’s success has benefitted the UMass hockey program. Unfortunately this coaching search, which has been completely botched from the start, has diminished what should be a time for UMass fans to celebrate.
Quick won the ESPY award for NHL Player of the Year.
Fear The Triangle - UMass Hockey Blog 
Carson
/ July 14, 2012Borek or Gendron. Get it done. This has gone on long enough. Sure we can wait around to see if Greg Brown or Mike Bavis want it, but chances are they don’t. Just get a freaking coach.
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rocks22
/ July 14, 2012Agreed. Get it done with so we can start to search for a new AD.
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Carson
/ July 14, 2012Yes please. Had to laugh a little when I read in the Carlson article that he said UMass has a “terrific athletic director”.
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Tony
/ July 14, 2012Having zero confidence in McC is a hell of a lot more than I have. Seems to me he’s on a mission to destroy UMASS hockey!
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ICEWEST
/ July 14, 2012From brokenrecord.com, it’s too late to get anyone who’s a real viable candidate. The only possible silver lining is that McCutcheon’s offers seem to have started with the weakest candidates and are now moving towards better ones. Hopefully he’s saving best for last…However, at this point Red or Len Quesnelle would be better than Scott Borek. None has an impressive head coaching record but at least with Red and Len, the learning curve, etc. is essentially removed, especially seeing that we are now in mid July.
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Anonymous
/ July 14, 2012Hire red and they play at the garden this year.
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Anonymous
/ July 14, 2012I wonder what the AD salary is ? could someone tell me ? parents of the players must be going crazy , wonder what they are thinking , i know that a few came to umass because of red .. we must just hope that red doesn’t turn it down either .. Red and Lenny what a team , stay in the family ? Pond club where are you , can’t wait to eat the cheese and crackers and drink the over price beer and wine .. go umass hockey
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rocks22
/ July 14, 2012McCutcheon makes $238K per the Boston Herald.
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Puck Pagan
/ July 14, 2012Swing and a Miss that is strike three for McCutcheon. He’s Out hopefully.
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Tony
/ July 14, 2012Wish that was true!
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big shot
/ July 14, 2012Wish there was as much $$support from these whiners, who don’t know what they want in a coach. Umass hockey supporters have been notoriously cheap. Toot Cahoon sabotaged this program by working part time the last couple of years!! The new coach will right this ship.
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Anon
/ July 14, 2012Umass is a blue collar team , which is o.k. .. but this AD is making us look for food stamps .. I hope he finds a new job next year and take his 238K state job with him
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Anonymous
/ July 15, 2012Please pick Borek- we need a change! Let’s get this done.
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