Paluch steps down

threestooges · Post by **threestooges** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:38 am

I don't think ANYONE is going to be able to resurrect this program in one year, so I wouldn't go buy a pipe for that dream. Also, it's been said before on one of these threads, but I highly doubt BG would've been able to attract any established coach right now, given the general uncertainty of the program. Coach Williams seems to have a lot of energy, and more importantly, wants to be here to help turn things around.

transfer2BGSU · Post by **transfer2BGSU** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:39 am

Redwingtom wrote: Again, no offense to Coach Williams but it they leave him in place for coming year this program is done without a miracle. IMHO, They need a name coach with slightly more experience than coaching at the powerhouse Neumann. Someone who can infuse life into the donor base.

Sorry, but I just don't see someone like him being able to resurrect this program in one year, which is what we need. Look, I hope he proves me wrong, but we have major problems here and we need a major commitment from the administration...and leaving an "interim" coach in place with no real resume is anything but that!

I'm sure a lot of NHL people said the same thing about this guy who was nothing but a minor league head coach

Altoid_storm · Post by **Altoid_storm** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:15 am

I think Williams will do fine. He's a talented guy and even if he doesn't do extremely well, we're still on the right track.

As for Bylsma...I don't think he really resurrected anything. He just turned something around midseason and took it away from a bad coach. Though he is very wonderful

Redwingtom · Post by **Redwingtom** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 12:23 pm

transfer2BGSU wrote:
Redwingtom wrote: Again, no offense to Coach Williams but it they leave him in place for coming year this program is done without a miracle. IMHO, They need a name coach with slightly more experience than coaching at the powerhouse Neumann. Someone who can infuse life into the donor base.

Sorry, but I just don't see someone like him being able to resurrect this program in one year, which is what we need. Look, I hope he proves me wrong, but we have major problems here and we need a major commitment from the administration...and leaving an "interim" coach in place with no real resume is anything but that!
I'm sure a lot of NHL people said the same thing about this guy who was nothing but a minor league head coach

Apples and Oranges....like minor leagues and "hello" Neumann.

BGDrew · Post by **BGDrew** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 1:12 pm

Enrico Blasi was a relative unknown when he was hired at Miami in '99 and came into a less than desirable position. He was an alumni and a name that some of the community could relate to. He got people excited about hockey in Oxford and it's a great equation to use here too.

It doesn't matter how many cups you've raised or how much appeal your name has. If you're a tireless worker and can get the most out of your players you don't need to be a Scotty Bowman.

rood · Post by **rood** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 1:16 pm

BGDrew wrote:If you're a tireless worker and can get the most out of your players you don't need to be a Scotty Bowman.

Isn't that the definition of Scotty Bowman?

Redwingtom · Post by **Redwingtom** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 1:33 pm

BGDrew wrote:Enrico Blasi was a relative unknown when he was hired at Miami in '99 and came into a less than desirable position. He was an alumni and a name that some of the community could relate to. He got people excited about hockey in Oxford and it's a great equation to use here too.

It doesn't matter how many cups you've raised or how much appeal your name has. If you're a tireless worker and can get the most out of your players you don't need to be a Scotty Bowman.

Upon hire, Blasi was basically the same as Paluch. The difference was that he had the full support ($$$) of the administration.

As I said, if they leave the interim tag on Williams and don't give him any funds to work with, this program is finished.

BGDrew · Post by **BGDrew** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 1:44 pm

Redwingtom wrote:As I said, if they leave the interim tag on Williams and don't give him any funds to work with, this program is finished.

You obviously don't know how these kind of things have to work. They have to give him an interim tag until they have the ability to post the job so that any applicants can apply. They're obviously not going to post that now when the players are 2 months from coming back to campus. He'll keep the job for this season until April when they'll officially post the job to conform to all state requirements regarding equal opportunity, etc. If he does a solid job this year I don't think we'll have any problem at all signing him to a contract.

From what I've seen from Dr. Vivian's group and what I know about our alumni base, I have no doubt that BG hockey will survive.

Redwingtom · Post by **Redwingtom** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 2:44 pm

BGDrew wrote:
Redwingtom wrote:As I said, if they leave the interim tag on Williams and don't give him any funds to work with, this program is finished.
You obviously don't know how these kind of things have to work. They have to give him an interim tag until they have the ability to post the job so that any applicants can apply. They're obviously not going to post that now when the players are 2 months from coming back to campus. He'll keep the job for this season until April when they'll officially post the job to conform to all state requirements regarding equal opportunity, etc. If he does a solid job this year I don't think we'll have any problem at all signing him to a contract.

From what I've seen from Dr. Vivian's group and what I know about our alumni base, I have no doubt that BG hockey will survive.

HELLO! That's exactly my point. If they wait a whole frickin' year to either hire Williams or another coach this program is finished. We can't afford to go through a whole season without a coach locked up. He won't be able to recruit for any future season with a damn. And it would yet again signal to all involved that the administration is just trying to let the program die on its own.

BGDrew · Post by **BGDrew** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 4:56 pm

I'm not trying to be malicious by saying this, but you don't really know the pulse of what's going on. We still got one of our guys running the team and he's a guy who loves this program. You're hoping the sky falls rather than seeing the positives of where this program will be in 5 years. Some of us do see the silver lining and it's a pretty cool thought.

But hey, if you want to keep pissing in everyone's Cheerios then carry on. Just don't be surprised if you make more enemies than friends.

Congrats to Coach Williams, you'll do a helluva job.

falconfan1 · Post by **falconfan1** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 5:22 pm

BGDrew- you got it. Well said. Do we want hockey? Yes! Then everyone needs to step forward this year/next year in every way they can. By "every way" I'm talking about is tickets, Falcon Club- hockey designated and checks for the upcoming endowment concept for building and program.

I am glad we have forums etc to post thoughts and ideas, but soon it will come down to dollars and support of the above nature. If we get that type of literal support from everyone who has posted, bought a tee shirt, been a grass roots person since this March etc, we should- at a minimum fill the arena on a more regular basis- and refurbish it etc if we really get behind the program.

I look forward to the season. Dennis Williams has been a very upfront fellow in his time here and I wish him all the best.

Go Falcons!

Puckhead · Post by **Puckhead** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 6:02 pm

I have my tickets for next season. I have my shirts. I have told The Falcon Club that I will donate, and I will sign up for 50/50 duty, when we find out what the Administration is going to do about the Ice Arena and the Hockey Program.
The Admin could have made a statement by giving Dennis a longer contract. I understand that they wanted to punt that decision until next year.
The next make or break decision of the Administration will be to offer a money back guarantee to the donors. If University ( in writting) guarantees that if the program or arena are eliminated in the next 5 year, the donors will get their money back. The big guys (and the rest of us) donated 5 - 6 years ago, now they/we are being told come up with more money or else. Sorry I have talked to many of the alumni, they do not like extortion, especially if there are no guarantees.
Let us see what the Benz Whaley Flessner group come back with as donor interest. Would you pledge if there were no guarantees?
But for now, I've done my part, and I will continue to support our guys.

MACMAN · Post by **MACMAN** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 7:05 pm

The next step is funding, that announcement comes in a few weeks as in if they are going to work to raise, funds, and who (no big guesses here) who the people are who put the first big chunk.
in reflecting on this I think its interesting. I think a young relatively unknown alum steeping in and quite possibly earning the HC job is interesting and energizing. think about it, if he can drive the team to finish in the top 6 he will have done as well as SP ever did...esp with a home play off round. That would in my eye, along with feedback from current players likely be his earning a 5 year contract.
Couple that with a renovated facility and school behind the program...and the rejuvenated interest overall, that could spell the return.
I am optimistic.

FlagCityFalcon · Post by **FlagCityFalcon** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 9:54 pm

how can you raise funds for a program that you are not sure will exist next year?!

BTW - I hope Dennis does well, but am glad to see Pooch move on...it was needed mid-last year.

Do we get to do SOMETHING different on the power play now!?

Falconfreak90 · Post by **Falconfreak90** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:29 pm

I'll be sure to get the Freaklings up to a few more games than usual this winter. Selling 50/50 is always a good time...you talk Falcon sports the whole time, what could be better?

Looking forward to this change...84-156 or whatever Paluch's record was was very disheartening.

GO HOCKEY