The search ends......

[MACMAN]

Wow. I thought I would take a chance and check BGSUfalcons and wow. Then I logged in and had a PM from FF, called her up and wow. Trying to let this one settle in. I sent Willy a message, not knowing exactly what to say but did my best to express my appreciation to him and his staff for this last years efforts and team development, and recruiting class. Wow, not what I was anticipating.
Working right now on twisting in to the orange and Brown glasses. Who knows maybe this Bergeron will twist and get the boys back in the Orange and Brown as a first a step as well.
So lets see, only positives.
1. No Falcon ties, its been a long time since we had a fresh coach with out ties to BGSU.
2. part of winning formula at Miami
3. is excited about restoring the BGSU program
4. clearly has good recruiting skills
ah hes our head coach now and unhappy or not witht he decision to not give Williams and his staff a fiarly earned shake, we have no choice but to be supportive. It will be interesting to see who turns to and brings in as his assitiants and the direction he takes from here. He knows he will be under the microscope.

[toddpav]

what's up with this: ". . . but attendance at the press conference is open to media only." (from the Official BG announcement)

Damn. The one day I have to work until 5... maybe I can get away for this thing.

I, too, am saddened and excited by this news. Sad for Willy and his family, and excited for the new coach and to see what he can do.

What about Willy's recruits? That's all I'm worried about at this point...

[newsguy]

The BG News will be in the press conference today, other then the obvious questions any thing else you want to here from the new coach?

[toddpav]

The BG News will be in the press conference today, other then the obvious questions any thing else you want to here from the new coach?

Yeah...

Has he been in contact with any of our recruits?

[Rightupinthere]

The jury will be out until further notice.

Thank you.

RUIT.

[bgpuckster]

"The BG News will be in the press conference today, other then the obvious questions any thing else you want to here from the new coach?"




Yes, how long is his contract for?

[MarkL]

Well, nobody else has said it yet, so I will.

Welcome to the nest, Coach Bergeron!

[redhawk95]

Congrats to Coach Bergeron and good luck to you guys. Sorry to see him go, but obviously a great opportunity.

[rood]

What about Willy's recruits? That's all I'm worried about at this point...

I don't think it would be too much of an issue. These kids were recruited with the knowledge that Williams was an interim coach and might be replaced at year's end. Regardless of who the coach will be next year this team has a lot of holes to fill on the roster and the incoming freshman are going to get plenty of opportunity to show that they belong in the line-up. At least in the case of Mike Fink that "promise" of a chance to play regularly was a strong deciding factor in committing to BG. Guys like Sumsion and Williamson have a very good chance of being top 6 forwards, that doesn't happen often for freshman college hockey players.

I'll be surprised if anybody de-commits.

[pdt1081]

what's up with this: ". . . but attendance at the press conference is open to media only." (from the Official BG announcement)

ah hes our head coach now and unhappy or not with the decision to not give Williams and his staff a fairly earned shake, we have no choice but to be supportive. It will be interesting to see who turns to and brings in as his assistants and the direction he takes from here. He knows he will be under the microscope.

Something I've learned over the years is that for every person that posts here, there are probably at least 10 others that share the same opinions. As well liked as Willy is it makes it hard not to feel the same way. Willy has recruited what looks like one of the best incoming classes in a long time. The team showed a marked improvement from the beginning of the year, and were a few lucky bounces away from very different results. He should be proud of his time spent here and know that someday, he will be one of the best coaches in college hockey.

[factman]

Do we know that Willy won't be back as an assistant?

[pdt1081]

Do we know that Willy won't be back as an assistant?

It would be very hard to establish yourself as a head coach, if you have last year's coach on your staff. Players would have a tendency to listen more to Willy than the new coach. There is a chance that the current assistants could be retained (a la Wayne Wilson staying on under Buddy Powers), which would make the transition a lot better, but the coaching styles might not gel. Regardless, I don't look for Willy to be behind the BG bench for a long time.

[MACMAN]

That would be interesting, but you would have to imagine that their styles direction would have to line up. Would Willy stay on as an assitiant needs to be asked as well, if asked?
The make up the coaching staf will be interesting. I think that our goalie coach is likely candidate to remain, I am not sure on Williams and M.

[pdt1081]

"The BG News will be in the press conference today, other then the obvious questions any thing else you want to here from the new coach?"




Yes, how long is his contract for?

Link

Bergeron, who will turn 40 on Nov. 28, received a six-year contract and a base salary of $125,000. The contract has guaranteed compensation of $150,000, that includes such compensation as for appearances on a radio show.
Additional bonuses for success on the ice and academically also are available.

[unfalconbelievable]

Willy may be back behind the bench at the Falcon Ice Arena.......however as a visiting coach. A source mentioned to me that he could be the next Buckeyes coach in columbus. He could have more resources and scholarships and with stand alone arena coming that could be a dangerous formula for the CCHA.

Could it be another coach at BG that goes on to be MORE successful AFTER his stay on the BG coaching staff....a la, York, Wilson, Patrick, Hills, Mason and I'm sure the list could go on.