My father in law mentioned he is hearing rumors about St. Cloud hiring Cullen as their coach and obviously taking his kids along.
Anybody else hear this or is this just extremely unlikely?
I have no idea, but thought it was intriguing enough to post.
My father in law mentioned he is hearing rumors about St. Cloud hiring Cullen as their coach and obviously taking his kids along.
Anybody else hear this or is this just extremely unlikely?
I have no idea, but thought it was intriguing enough to post.
This feels like the type of news you normally get from your father-in-law.
Coyle is interviewing-
Really like this the little time I’ve had to read anything today. Cullen really excites me and like mentioned give these minds some resources and I think we’re back in no time! Just feels more than ok now. Let’s gooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Good pace, a lot of north and south, or it could be east and west, I’m not sure but either way…” Wooger
@bluebandit24 he is a UND fan, but I was still very intrigued by the idea. I know nothing about Cullen personally, but could certainly see someone using their kids in that way.
My father in law mentioned he is hearing rumors about St. Cloud hiring Cullen as their coach and obviously taking his kids along.
Anybody else hear this or is this just extremely unlikely?
I have no idea, but thought it was intriguing enough to post.
This feels like the type of news you normally get from your father-in-law.
Or the clowns over at YHH.
Now the key question is who will be St. Cloud's new head coach? He will clearly be our next head coach when Larsen's time is done. 😉
St. Cloud the Gopher internship program.
Faber: "I think he’s the perfect guy. He’ll be a great, great coach for the Gophers. You see, the game changes a lot. He’s a smart coach. I think he teaches the game the right way. He thinks it’s important to develop these kids the right way to give them opportunities to play in the NHL. He’s one of those guys that cares more about the people than the player. That’s what’s special about him. He’s going to do great. That’s an awesome hire for them.”
This gives me confidence in the hire.
Now the key question is who will be St. Cloud's new head coach? He will clearly be our next head coach when Larsen's time is done. 😉
St. Cloud the Gopher internship program.
Raboin, of course!
Was just going to make that joke.
My only question is: will he come in and complain that there are no good options for recruits, or go out and recruit good players?
I’ll support Larson til he gives me a reason not to
I’ll support Larson til he gives me a reason not to
this. What's done is done and it's not Larson's fault he wanted this job. Give him the resources and let's get after it. He's coached a lot of places and been on the WJC teams, Olympics team, and the US Jr Select team. He's been boots on the ground at SCSU and they've had to bust ass to try compete. If he carries that energy into this job, I think he can be successful if the admin and fanbase gives him a chance.
I really hope he starts with a win now approach and takes his 4 or 5 best players with him.
Now the key question is who will be St. Cloud's new head coach? He will clearly be our next head coach when Larsen's time is done. 😉
St. Cloud the Gopher internship program.
Raboin, of course!
Bob!
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It's certainly not a sexy or flashy hire but we don't need to have a sexy or flashy hire. We need somebody who knows how to coach and can do it at a high level to get us back to winning national championships.
He certainly seems to have the respect of a lot of people who know a hell of a lot more about hockey than I do and had some really solid seasons at St. Cloud State when there's basically no support there at all. If he can be competitive there, he should be able to win consistently here with the resources and support he'll have.
The recruiting pipeline looks very very good and I'd imagine he'll be able to actually lure some transfer portal kids in to bolster the team in the meantime if he's as respected as it seems like he is.
It scares me more than it excites me. If he does come on board, I hope it's for the right reasons.Cullen as an assistant really excites me!
I really hope he starts with a win now approach and takes his 4 or 5 best players with him.
There's about 3 players on SCSUs roster that can help us.
It scares me more than it excites me. If he does come on board, I hope it's for the right reasons.Cullen as an assistant really excites me!
i mean for all intents and purposes its why he coached at Moorhead was to get them state titles, not so much for the ego (from what I've heard). He does seem to care about what happens to their players and development there as well. I don't know if I like him more than Martin in that role, but certainly could fill that type of role and I'm sure he could coach Fs and PK
I think Cullen would be amazing to have at practice, in the locker room, and behind the bench. I just wonder if he would be willing to put in all the other hard hours that are required from an D1 coach.It scares me more than it excites me. If he does come on board, I hope it's for the right reasons.Cullen as an assistant really excites me!
i mean for all intents and purposes its why he coached at Moorhead was to get them state titles, not so much for the ego (from what I've heard). He does seem to care about what happens to their players and development there as well. I don't know if I like him more than Martin in that role, but certainly could fill that type of role and I'm sure he could coach Fs and PK
I guess maybe hiring a GM could mitigate some of those responsibilities for him?
I think Cullen would be amazing to have at practice, in the locker room, and behind the bench. I just wonder if he would be willing to put in all the other hard hours that are required from an D1 coach.It scares me more than it excites me. If he does come on board, I hope it's for the right reasons.Cullen as an assistant really excites me!
i mean for all intents and purposes its why he coached at Moorhead was to get them state titles, not so much for the ego (from what I've heard). He does seem to care about what happens to their players and development there as well. I don't know if I like him more than Martin in that role, but certainly could fill that type of role and I'm sure he could coach Fs and PK
I guess maybe hiring a GM could mitigate some of those responsibilities for him?
yeah i have no idea how much miller, martin, and gordon were all traveling this year
What time is the press conference?
Expect to see Laylin and Cullen as assistants. One for sure if not both.
I am not saying that Brett Larson is not a good coach. If we would have hired him to replace Coach Motzko 3 years ago it would probably have been the "sexiest" choice.
The problem I have with the decision is it seems to me there were better choices available. In my opinion, Garrett Raboin would have been a superior choice. Ben Barr would have been a superior choice. Pat Ferschweiler would have been an elite choice.
But when a coach with Garrett Raboin's resume essentially states he would rather return to Augustana, a back water program in South Dakota, rather than take a much more prestigious program and a HUGE pay raise, that is saying that there are underlying problems with the University of Minnesota hockey program.
If they cannot even get Raboin to consider the U of M, Barr and Ferschweiler probably didn't even answer Coyle's phone call.
Essentially, the evidence indicates this job was not considered one of the elite jobs in college hockey.
I am not sure if Larson's coaching record shows an elite coach. He took over Motzko's team in 2018-19 and had a 30-6-3 record but got beat in the NCAA Regionals. The year they made the NCAA Finals was 2020-21, but their record was 20-11-0. They had a 25-13-3 record in 2022-23, but just a 4th place finish in the NCHA and lost in the NCAA Regional Final. Since then he was 17-16-5 in 23-24, 14-21-1 in 24-25 and 16-19-1 in 25-26. Nine games below .500 for the past three seasons. In the past two seasons in NCHA Conference play the Huskies were just 15-28.
If you adjust his overall NCHA Conference record by ignoring the inherited 2018-19 season, his overall record is 73-77-15 over 6 seasons. Not a very inspiring overall record.
I also believe that we will know a good deal about the future of the program with Brett Larson as the head coach sooner than most people think. In the modern era, the players and commits will tell the story very rapidly. While I don't think the recruiting pipeline we have coming in is totally elite, if he can retain the commits we have and the experienced players we already have, AND add some follow on talent to Mariucci, then that is a good sign.
But if we lost the Cullen commitments, perhaps Levi Harper and/or Geiger/McArthur and especially if we lost Mooney or Ziemer either to transfer portal or pro hockey, we would be starting from a very deep well that will be difficult for any coach to climb out of.
Expect to see Laylin and Cullen as assistants. One more sure if not both.
We were thinking Martin and Laylin are the assistants. Cullen taking over Martin's current role and helping on recruiting.
We'll see I guess.
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Expect to see Laylin and Cullen as assistants. One more sure if not both.
We were thinking Martin and Laylin are the assistants. Cullen taking over Martin's current role and helping on recruiting.
We'll see I guess.
Maybe better put, expect to see Laylin and Cullen part of the staff. We'll see how exact titles shake out.
I think Cullen would be amazing to have at practice, in the locker room, and behind the bench. I just wonder if he would be willing to put in all the other hard hours that are required from an D1 coach.It scares me more than it excites me. If he does come on board, I hope it's for the right reasons.Cullen as an assistant really excites me!
i mean for all intents and purposes its why he coached at Moorhead was to get them state titles, not so much for the ego (from what I've heard). He does seem to care about what happens to their players and development there as well. I don't know if I like him more than Martin in that role, but certainly could fill that type of role and I'm sure he could coach Fs and PK
I guess maybe hiring a GM could mitigate some of those responsibilities for him?
What I remember hearing about Cullen the player is that he worked his butt off and that's why he could play so long. If he's as competitive as a coach as he was a player, we should be fine.
I’ve been wondering how important Gordon has been in the recruiting and these rumors of him not being back are solidifying it for me. Seems like he was a well liked coach but not someone who was a knock it out of the park recruiter. He seemed to do a lot of scouting, but maybe wasn’t a closer.
I like the rumored staff for Larson!
You also have Coyle potentially looking at a job in KY that in theory is a lateral move if that, to me that also isn't a good sign.I am not saying that Brett Larson is not a good coach. If we would have hired him to replace Coach Motzko 3 years ago it would probably have been the "sexiest" choice.
The problem I have with the decision is it seems to me there were better choices available. In my opinion, Garrett Raboin would have been a superior choice. Ben Barr would have been a superior choice. Pat Ferschweiler would have been an elite choice.
But when a coach with Garrett Raboin's resume essentially states he would rather return to Augustana, a back water program in South Dakota, rather than take a much more prestigious program and a HUGE pay raise, that is saying that there are underlying problems with the University of Minnesota hockey program.
If they cannot even get Raboin to consider the U of M, Barr and Ferschweiler probably didn't even answer Coyle's phone call.
Essentially, the evidence indicates this job was not considered one of the elite jobs in college hockey.
I am not sure if Larson's coaching record shows an elite coach. He took over Motzko's team in 2018-19 and had a 30-6-3 record but got beat in the NCAA Regionals. The year they made the NCAA Finals was 2020-21, but their record was 20-11-0. They had a 25-13-3 record in 2022-23, but just a 4th place finish in the NCHA and lost in the NCAA Regional Final. Since then he was 17-16-5 in 23-24, 14-21-1 in 24-25 and 16-19-1 in 25-26. Nine games below .500 for the past three seasons. In the past two seasons in NCHA Conference play the Huskies were just 15-28.
If you adjust his overall NCHA Conference record by ignoring the inherited 2018-19 season, his overall record is 73-77-15 over 6 seasons. Not a very inspiring overall record.
I also believe that we will know a good deal about the future of the program with Brett Larson as the head coach sooner than most people think. In the modern era, the players and commits will tell the story very rapidly. While I don't think the recruiting pipeline we have coming in is totally elite, if he can retain the commits we have and the experienced players we already have, AND add some follow on talent to Mariucci, then that is a good sign.
But if we lost the Cullen commitments, perhaps Levi Harper and/or Geiger/McArthur and especially if we lost Mooney or Ziemer either to transfer portal or pro hockey, we would be starting from a very deep well that will be difficult for any coach to climb out of.
I don’t mind Cullen joining the crew at all, but keep in mind that not every kid wants to play for dad forever.
You also have Coyle potentially looking at a job in KY that in theory is a lateral move if that, to me that also isn't a good sign.I am not saying that Brett Larson is not a good coach. If we would have hired him to replace Coach Motzko 3 years ago it would probably have been the "sexiest" choice.
The problem I have with the decision is it seems to me there were better choices available. In my opinion, Garrett Raboin would have been a superior choice. Ben Barr would have been a superior choice. Pat Ferschweiler would have been an elite choice.
But when a coach with Garrett Raboin's resume essentially states he would rather return to Augustana, a back water program in South Dakota, rather than take a much more prestigious program and a HUGE pay raise, that is saying that there are underlying problems with the University of Minnesota hockey program.
If they cannot even get Raboin to consider the U of M, Barr and Ferschweiler probably didn't even answer Coyle's phone call.
Essentially, the evidence indicates this job was not considered one of the elite jobs in college hockey.
I am not sure if Larson's coaching record shows an elite coach. He took over Motzko's team in 2018-19 and had a 30-6-3 record but got beat in the NCAA Regionals. The year they made the NCAA Finals was 2020-21, but their record was 20-11-0. They had a 25-13-3 record in 2022-23, but just a 4th place finish in the NCHA and lost in the NCAA Regional Final. Since then he was 17-16-5 in 23-24, 14-21-1 in 24-25 and 16-19-1 in 25-26. Nine games below .500 for the past three seasons. In the past two seasons in NCHA Conference play the Huskies were just 15-28.
If you adjust his overall NCHA Conference record by ignoring the inherited 2018-19 season, his overall record is 73-77-15 over 6 seasons. Not a very inspiring overall record.
I also believe that we will know a good deal about the future of the program with Brett Larson as the head coach sooner than most people think. In the modern era, the players and commits will tell the story very rapidly. While I don't think the recruiting pipeline we have coming in is totally elite, if he can retain the commits we have and the experienced players we already have, AND add some follow on talent to Mariucci, then that is a good sign.
But if we lost the Cullen commitments, perhaps Levi Harper and/or Geiger/McArthur and especially if we lost Mooney or Ziemer either to transfer portal or pro hockey, we would be starting from a very deep well that will be difficult for any coach to climb out of.
I don't think it would be that lateral a move. I think he would get a significant raise.
But also that article was from like 2 or 3 weeks ago. So it is completely unknown where in the process they are at so he was considered but I wouldn't exactly say he's the front runner or anything like that.
If DU, UND, UM, MSU, BC or BU suddenly needed to hire a head coach, how many schools would you expect to be interested in Larsen?
If DU, UND, UM, MSU, BC or BU suddenly needed to hire a head coach, how many schools would you expect to be interested in Larsen?
How many would have been interested in Dane Jackson? He seems to be doing alright.
If he's getting a significant raise from a non B1G school then that just furthers my point about this athletic department not being in great shape from a competitive standpoint.You also have Coyle potentially looking at a job in KY that in theory is a lateral move if that, to me that also isn't a good sign.I am not saying that Brett Larson is not a good coach. If we would have hired him to replace Coach Motzko 3 years ago it would probably have been the "sexiest" choice.
The problem I have with the decision is it seems to me there were better choices available. In my opinion, Garrett Raboin would have been a superior choice. Ben Barr would have been a superior choice. Pat Ferschweiler would have been an elite choice.
But when a coach with Garrett Raboin's resume essentially states he would rather return to Augustana, a back water program in South Dakota, rather than take a much more prestigious program and a HUGE pay raise, that is saying that there are underlying problems with the University of Minnesota hockey program.
If they cannot even get Raboin to consider the U of M, Barr and Ferschweiler probably didn't even answer Coyle's phone call.
Essentially, the evidence indicates this job was not considered one of the elite jobs in college hockey.
I am not sure if Larson's coaching record shows an elite coach. He took over Motzko's team in 2018-19 and had a 30-6-3 record but got beat in the NCAA Regionals. The year they made the NCAA Finals was 2020-21, but their record was 20-11-0. They had a 25-13-3 record in 2022-23, but just a 4th place finish in the NCHA and lost in the NCAA Regional Final. Since then he was 17-16-5 in 23-24, 14-21-1 in 24-25 and 16-19-1 in 25-26. Nine games below .500 for the past three seasons. In the past two seasons in NCHA Conference play the Huskies were just 15-28.
If you adjust his overall NCHA Conference record by ignoring the inherited 2018-19 season, his overall record is 73-77-15 over 6 seasons. Not a very inspiring overall record.
I also believe that we will know a good deal about the future of the program with Brett Larson as the head coach sooner than most people think. In the modern era, the players and commits will tell the story very rapidly. While I don't think the recruiting pipeline we have coming in is totally elite, if he can retain the commits we have and the experienced players we already have, AND add some follow on talent to Mariucci, then that is a good sign.
But if we lost the Cullen commitments, perhaps Levi Harper and/or Geiger/McArthur and especially if we lost Mooney or Ziemer either to transfer portal or pro hockey, we would be starting from a very deep well that will be difficult for any coach to climb out of.
I don't think it would be that lateral a move. I think he would get a significant raise.
But also that article was from like 2 or 3 weeks ago. So it is completely unknown where in the process they are at so he was considered but I wouldn't exactly say he's the front runner or anything like that.
But when a coach with Garrett Raboin's resume essentially states he would rather return to Augustana, a back water program in South Dakota, rather than take a much more prestigious program and a HUGE pay raise
This is why I get so much crap being a Gopher fan in Mankato. tArrogance is strong with this one! 🙄
I am the official Iowa Hawkeye football fan of GPL!
I am not saying that Brett Larson is not a good coach. If we would have hired him to replace Coach Motzko 3 years ago it would probably have been the "sexiest" choice.
The problem I have with the decision is it seems to me there were better choices available. In my opinion, Garrett Raboin would have been a superior choice. Ben Barr would have been a superior choice. Pat Ferschweiler would have been an elite choice.
But when a coach with Garrett Raboin's resume essentially states he would rather return to Augustana, a back water program in South Dakota, rather than take a much more prestigious program and a HUGE pay raise, that is saying that there are underlying problems with the University of Minnesota hockey program.
If they cannot even get Raboin to consider the U of M, Barr and Ferschweiler probably didn't even answer Coyle's phone call.
Essentially, the evidence indicates this job was not considered one of the elite jobs in college hockey.
I am not sure if Larson's coaching record shows an elite coach. He took over Motzko's team in 2018-19 and had a 30-6-3 record but got beat in the NCAA Regionals. The year they made the NCAA Finals was 2020-21, but their record was 20-11-0. They had a 25-13-3 record in 2022-23, but just a 4th place finish in the NCHA and lost in the NCAA Regional Final. Since then he was 17-16-5 in 23-24, 14-21-1 in 24-25 and 16-19-1 in 25-26. Nine games below .500 for the past three seasons. In the past two seasons in NCHA Conference play the Huskies were just 15-28.
If you adjust his overall NCHA Conference record by ignoring the inherited 2018-19 season, his overall record is 73-77-15 over 6 seasons. Not a very inspiring overall record.
I also believe that we will know a good deal about the future of the program with Brett Larson as the head coach sooner than most people think. In the modern era, the players and commits will tell the story very rapidly. While I don't think the recruiting pipeline we have coming in is totally elite, if he can retain the commits we have and the experienced players we already have, AND add some follow on talent to Mariucci, then that is a good sign.
But if we lost the Cullen commitments, perhaps Levi Harper and/or Geiger/McArthur and especially if we lost Mooney or Ziemer either to transfer portal or pro hockey, we would be starting from a very deep well that will be difficult for any coach to climb out of.
What exactly makes Raboins resume better than Larsons? Because he coached here? I mean if you put the 2 resumes head to head with zero names above who did what it's not really that close.
If DU, UND, UM, MSU, BC or BU suddenly needed to hire a head coach, how many schools would you expect to be interested in Larsen?
The right coach for one program may in turn not be the right coach for the guys down the street.
I bet you DU and UND if they needed to find one again for some reason would at least consider Larson (although he would be off their lists now given that he's now working in Minneapolis)
He's younger and barely missed the NCAA's this year at a program that isn't exactly a hockey community. He made significant progress from year 1 to year 2. Admittedly it's a small sample and there's no guarantee that it'd work but he hasn't stagnated for 3 years results wise like the guy that just got hired here.I am not saying that Brett Larson is not a good coach. If we would have hired him to replace Coach Motzko 3 years ago it would probably have been the "sexiest" choice.
The problem I have with the decision is it seems to me there were better choices available. In my opinion, Garrett Raboin would have been a superior choice. Ben Barr would have been a superior choice. Pat Ferschweiler would have been an elite choice.
But when a coach with Garrett Raboin's resume essentially states he would rather return to Augustana, a back water program in South Dakota, rather than take a much more prestigious program and a HUGE pay raise, that is saying that there are underlying problems with the University of Minnesota hockey program.
If they cannot even get Raboin to consider the U of M, Barr and Ferschweiler probably didn't even answer Coyle's phone call.
Essentially, the evidence indicates this job was not considered one of the elite jobs in college hockey.
I am not sure if Larson's coaching record shows an elite coach. He took over Motzko's team in 2018-19 and had a 30-6-3 record but got beat in the NCAA Regionals. The year they made the NCAA Finals was 2020-21, but their record was 20-11-0. They had a 25-13-3 record in 2022-23, but just a 4th place finish in the NCHA and lost in the NCAA Regional Final. Since then he was 17-16-5 in 23-24, 14-21-1 in 24-25 and 16-19-1 in 25-26. Nine games below .500 for the past three seasons. In the past two seasons in NCHA Conference play the Huskies were just 15-28.
If you adjust his overall NCHA Conference record by ignoring the inherited 2018-19 season, his overall record is 73-77-15 over 6 seasons. Not a very inspiring overall record.
I also believe that we will know a good deal about the future of the program with Brett Larson as the head coach sooner than most people think. In the modern era, the players and commits will tell the story very rapidly. While I don't think the recruiting pipeline we have coming in is totally elite, if he can retain the commits we have and the experienced players we already have, AND add some follow on talent to Mariucci, then that is a good sign.
But if we lost the Cullen commitments, perhaps Levi Harper and/or Geiger/McArthur and especially if we lost Mooney or Ziemer either to transfer portal or pro hockey, we would be starting from a very deep well that will be difficult for any coach to climb out of.
What exactly makes Raboins resume better than Larsons? Because he coached here? I mean if you put the 2 resumes head to head with zero names above who did what it's not really that close.
But when a coach with Garrett Raboin's resume essentially states he would rather return to Augustana, a back water program in South Dakota, rather than take a much more prestigious program and a HUGE pay raise
This is why I get so much crap being a Gopher fan in Mankato. tArrogance is strong with this one! 🙄
A reply to a Russo post announcing the hire said “We’re not Mankato we’re a blue blood program hiring a below average coach.”
I felt compelled to point out that the previous and current Mankato coaches are in the tournament.
He's younger and barely missed the NCAA's this year at a program that isn't exactly a hockey community. He made significant progress from year 1 to year 2. Admittedly it's a small sample and there's no guarantee that it'd work but he hasn't stagnated for 3 years results wise like the guy that just got hired here.I am not saying that Brett Larson is not a good coach. If we would have hired him to replace Coach Motzko 3 years ago it would probably have been the "sexiest" choice.
The problem I have with the decision is it seems to me there were better choices available. In my opinion, Garrett Raboin would have been a superior choice. Ben Barr would have been a superior choice. Pat Ferschweiler would have been an elite choice.
But when a coach with Garrett Raboin's resume essentially states he would rather return to Augustana, a back water program in South Dakota, rather than take a much more prestigious program and a HUGE pay raise, that is saying that there are underlying problems with the University of Minnesota hockey program.
If they cannot even get Raboin to consider the U of M, Barr and Ferschweiler probably didn't even answer Coyle's phone call.
Essentially, the evidence indicates this job was not considered one of the elite jobs in college hockey.
I am not sure if Larson's coaching record shows an elite coach. He took over Motzko's team in 2018-19 and had a 30-6-3 record but got beat in the NCAA Regionals. The year they made the NCAA Finals was 2020-21, but their record was 20-11-0. They had a 25-13-3 record in 2022-23, but just a 4th place finish in the NCHA and lost in the NCAA Regional Final. Since then he was 17-16-5 in 23-24, 14-21-1 in 24-25 and 16-19-1 in 25-26. Nine games below .500 for the past three seasons. In the past two seasons in NCHA Conference play the Huskies were just 15-28.
If you adjust his overall NCHA Conference record by ignoring the inherited 2018-19 season, his overall record is 73-77-15 over 6 seasons. Not a very inspiring overall record.
I also believe that we will know a good deal about the future of the program with Brett Larson as the head coach sooner than most people think. In the modern era, the players and commits will tell the story very rapidly. While I don't think the recruiting pipeline we have coming in is totally elite, if he can retain the commits we have and the experienced players we already have, AND add some follow on talent to Mariucci, then that is a good sign.
But if we lost the Cullen commitments, perhaps Levi Harper and/or Geiger/McArthur and especially if we lost Mooney or Ziemer either to transfer portal or pro hockey, we would be starting from a very deep well that will be difficult for any coach to climb out of.
What exactly makes Raboins resume better than Larsons? Because he coached here? I mean if you put the 2 resumes head to head with zero names above who did what it's not really that close.
Yeah I get that as initially I was on the Raboin bandwagon. The guy didn't wanna be here so why are we will giving a rats ass about him? The next 4 weeks with the current team, portal and recruits is huge and I think Larson and his staff are going to completely turn around the mess Motzko made at the end of last season.
Time will tell.
Essentially, the evidence indicates this job was not considered one of the elite jobs in college hockey.
Or, and this may come as a complete shock to some..
Some guys just want to stay where they're at...
Raboin clearly sees Augustana as his program, he was hired as they were laying the foundation for the arena, and he's seemed to take great pride in that judging by interviews that he's done, there's something admirable in that.
He's younger and barely missed the NCAA's this year at a program that isn't exactly a hockey community. He made significant progress from year 1 to year 2. Admittedly it's a small sample and there's no guarantee that it'd work but he hasn't stagnated for 3 years results wise like the guy that just got hired here.I am not saying that Brett Larson is not a good coach. If we would have hired him to replace Coach Motzko 3 years ago it would probably have been the "sexiest" choice.
The problem I have with the decision is it seems to me there were better choices available. In my opinion, Garrett Raboin would have been a superior choice. Ben Barr would have been a superior choice. Pat Ferschweiler would have been an elite choice.
But when a coach with Garrett Raboin's resume essentially states he would rather return to Augustana, a back water program in South Dakota, rather than take a much more prestigious program and a HUGE pay raise, that is saying that there are underlying problems with the University of Minnesota hockey program.
If they cannot even get Raboin to consider the U of M, Barr and Ferschweiler probably didn't even answer Coyle's phone call.
Essentially, the evidence indicates this job was not considered one of the elite jobs in college hockey.
I am not sure if Larson's coaching record shows an elite coach. He took over Motzko's team in 2018-19 and had a 30-6-3 record but got beat in the NCAA Regionals. The year they made the NCAA Finals was 2020-21, but their record was 20-11-0. They had a 25-13-3 record in 2022-23, but just a 4th place finish in the NCHA and lost in the NCAA Regional Final. Since then he was 17-16-5 in 23-24, 14-21-1 in 24-25 and 16-19-1 in 25-26. Nine games below .500 for the past three seasons. In the past two seasons in NCHA Conference play the Huskies were just 15-28.
If you adjust his overall NCHA Conference record by ignoring the inherited 2018-19 season, his overall record is 73-77-15 over 6 seasons. Not a very inspiring overall record.
I also believe that we will know a good deal about the future of the program with Brett Larson as the head coach sooner than most people think. In the modern era, the players and commits will tell the story very rapidly. While I don't think the recruiting pipeline we have coming in is totally elite, if he can retain the commits we have and the experienced players we already have, AND add some follow on talent to Mariucci, then that is a good sign.
But if we lost the Cullen commitments, perhaps Levi Harper and/or Geiger/McArthur and especially if we lost Mooney or Ziemer either to transfer portal or pro hockey, we would be starting from a very deep well that will be difficult for any coach to climb out of.
What exactly makes Raboins resume better than Larsons? Because he coached here? I mean if you put the 2 resumes head to head with zero names above who did what it's not really that close.
To be honest, that isn't the answer to the question, his resume isn't better. What makes Raboin appealing over a more tenured coach is potential, he is young and he can become his own brand within an already strong program and the potential could be there for a multiple decade coach. Think David Carle.
Simply based on resume, he doesn't have much of one yet as a HC. He has potential for something bigger than the 50-60 year old coaches. That is the appeal and why you would pull the trigger.
If we are being honest the Gophs just hired a younger Motzko. Could work out, might not, who knows just like any new hire.
He's younger and barely missed the NCAA's this year at a program that isn't exactly a hockey community. He made significant progress from year 1 to year 2. Admittedly it's a small sample and there's no guarantee that it'd work but he hasn't stagnated for 3 years results wise like the guy that just got hired here.I am not saying that Brett Larson is not a good coach. If we would have hired him to replace Coach Motzko 3 years ago it would probably have been the "sexiest" choice.
The problem I have with the decision is it seems to me there were better choices available. In my opinion, Garrett Raboin would have been a superior choice. Ben Barr would have been a superior choice. Pat Ferschweiler would have been an elite choice.
But when a coach with Garrett Raboin's resume essentially states he would rather return to Augustana, a back water program in South Dakota, rather than take a much more prestigious program and a HUGE pay raise, that is saying that there are underlying problems with the University of Minnesota hockey program.
If they cannot even get Raboin to consider the U of M, Barr and Ferschweiler probably didn't even answer Coyle's phone call.
Essentially, the evidence indicates this job was not considered one of the elite jobs in college hockey.
I am not sure if Larson's coaching record shows an elite coach. He took over Motzko's team in 2018-19 and had a 30-6-3 record but got beat in the NCAA Regionals. The year they made the NCAA Finals was 2020-21, but their record was 20-11-0. They had a 25-13-3 record in 2022-23, but just a 4th place finish in the NCHA and lost in the NCAA Regional Final. Since then he was 17-16-5 in 23-24, 14-21-1 in 24-25 and 16-19-1 in 25-26. Nine games below .500 for the past three seasons. In the past two seasons in NCHA Conference play the Huskies were just 15-28.
If you adjust his overall NCHA Conference record by ignoring the inherited 2018-19 season, his overall record is 73-77-15 over 6 seasons. Not a very inspiring overall record.
I also believe that we will know a good deal about the future of the program with Brett Larson as the head coach sooner than most people think. In the modern era, the players and commits will tell the story very rapidly. While I don't think the recruiting pipeline we have coming in is totally elite, if he can retain the commits we have and the experienced players we already have, AND add some follow on talent to Mariucci, then that is a good sign.
But if we lost the Cullen commitments, perhaps Levi Harper and/or Geiger/McArthur and especially if we lost Mooney or Ziemer either to transfer portal or pro hockey, we would be starting from a very deep well that will be difficult for any coach to climb out of.
What exactly makes Raboins resume better than Larsons? Because he coached here? I mean if you put the 2 resumes head to head with zero names above who did what it's not really that close.
it is true, Rabs has only tanked 2 years in a row (2-6-1 last year; 4-4-1 this year) to miss the tournament after being the front runner midway through the year both years.
i'm just teasing but tbh, none of the guys considered were guys you were hiring based purely on resume. Larson has a bunch of national experience as well. His resume is better than Rabs' at this point, but I do think Rabs has more "potential" that could be untapped. Larson has made the tourney 4 times and a national title game.
Think that some beat writers for SCSU are saying he's a better coach than given credit for for the shit show that SCSU has turned into with their enrollment and funding does make me feel slightly better, though again he would not have been my first choice
Well his resume includes his part in recruiting the best Gopher hockey team I've ever seen but admittedly I didn't mention that and should've. His resume is extremely short admittedly but it doesn't have the obvious downsides of Larson's. I get that he was trying to win at SUCS which isn't easy but the last 3 years are similar to Potulny's and he just bolted after things got hard too.He's younger and barely missed the NCAA's this year at a program that isn't exactly a hockey community. He made significant progress from year 1 to year 2. Admittedly it's a small sample and there's no guarantee that it'd work but he hasn't stagnated for 3 years results wise like the guy that just got hired here.I am not saying that Brett Larson is not a good coach. If we would have hired him to replace Coach Motzko 3 years ago it would probably have been the "sexiest" choice.
The problem I have with the decision is it seems to me there were better choices available. In my opinion, Garrett Raboin would have been a superior choice. Ben Barr would have been a superior choice. Pat Ferschweiler would have been an elite choice.
But when a coach with Garrett Raboin's resume essentially states he would rather return to Augustana, a back water program in South Dakota, rather than take a much more prestigious program and a HUGE pay raise, that is saying that there are underlying problems with the University of Minnesota hockey program.
If they cannot even get Raboin to consider the U of M, Barr and Ferschweiler probably didn't even answer Coyle's phone call.
Essentially, the evidence indicates this job was not considered one of the elite jobs in college hockey.
I am not sure if Larson's coaching record shows an elite coach. He took over Motzko's team in 2018-19 and had a 30-6-3 record but got beat in the NCAA Regionals. The year they made the NCAA Finals was 2020-21, but their record was 20-11-0. They had a 25-13-3 record in 2022-23, but just a 4th place finish in the NCHA and lost in the NCAA Regional Final. Since then he was 17-16-5 in 23-24, 14-21-1 in 24-25 and 16-19-1 in 25-26. Nine games below .500 for the past three seasons. In the past two seasons in NCHA Conference play the Huskies were just 15-28.
If you adjust his overall NCHA Conference record by ignoring the inherited 2018-19 season, his overall record is 73-77-15 over 6 seasons. Not a very inspiring overall record.
I also believe that we will know a good deal about the future of the program with Brett Larson as the head coach sooner than most people think. In the modern era, the players and commits will tell the story very rapidly. While I don't think the recruiting pipeline we have coming in is totally elite, if he can retain the commits we have and the experienced players we already have, AND add some follow on talent to Mariucci, then that is a good sign.
But if we lost the Cullen commitments, perhaps Levi Harper and/or Geiger/McArthur and especially if we lost Mooney or Ziemer either to transfer portal or pro hockey, we would be starting from a very deep well that will be difficult for any coach to climb out of.
What exactly makes Raboins resume better than Larsons? Because he coached here? I mean if you put the 2 resumes head to head with zero names above who did what it's not really that close.
To be honest, that isn't the answer to the question, his resume isn't better. What makes Raboin appealing over a more tenured coach is potential, he is young and he can become his own brand within an already strong program and the potential could be there for a multiple decade coach. Think David Carle.
Simply based on resume, he doesn't have much of one yet as a HC. He has potential for something bigger than the 50-60 year old coaches. That is the appeal and why you would pull the trigger.
If we are being honest the Gophs just hired a younger Motzko. Could work out, might not, who knows just like any new hire.
But anyhow the points you raise are good about youth and potential, I just don't see the same upside with Larson but hopefully he proves me wrong. I'm not gonna stop following the team or anything and we can hope that one dude who said that "sometimes the head scratchers who get hired end up being the best coaches" is right but admittedly I'm approaching this one from an angle of skepticism moreso than when Motzko was hired and was probably the best candidate available.
If DU, UND, UM, MSU, BC or BU suddenly needed to hire a head coach, how many schools would you expect to be interested in Larsen?
The right coach for one program may in turn not be the right coach for the guys down the street.
I bet you DU and UND if they needed to find one again for some reason would at least consider Larson (although he would be off their lists now given that he's now working in Minneapolis)
yeah UND did have Larson on Schloss' initial list. DU hard to say given no ties to DU. Naurato literally got the job because he played at Michigan. Nightengale is an MSU alum.
BC has had 2 coaches since 94 so kinda hard to get a trend, but Brown coached with York and was tabbed as the guy to come back when York retired
BU went with the guy who was an associate coach and alum, why the hell would they take a guy who's spent his whole career in MN?
Potulny is literally the only gopher hockey (relatively recent) alum coaching right now and with his resume he shouldn't have even been sniffing the job if he didn't have Gopher hockey captain attached to his resume.
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An SEC athletic department with an historically blueblood basketball program that makes tons of money is a big step up from the U. U of Kentucky makes about $25 million a year more than Minnesota thru athletics, according to a quick Google AI search.If he's getting a significant raise from a non B1G school then that just furthers my point about this athletic department not being in great shape from a competitive standpoint.You also have Coyle potentially looking at a job in KY that in theory is a lateral move if that, to me that also isn't a good sign.I am not saying that Brett Larson is not a good coach. If we would have hired him to replace Coach Motzko 3 years ago it would probably have been the "sexiest" choice.
The problem I have with the decision is it seems to me there were better choices available. In my opinion, Garrett Raboin would have been a superior choice. Ben Barr would have been a superior choice. Pat Ferschweiler would have been an elite choice.
But when a coach with Garrett Raboin's resume essentially states he would rather return to Augustana, a back water program in South Dakota, rather than take a much more prestigious program and a HUGE pay raise, that is saying that there are underlying problems with the University of Minnesota hockey program.
If they cannot even get Raboin to consider the U of M, Barr and Ferschweiler probably didn't even answer Coyle's phone call.
Essentially, the evidence indicates this job was not considered one of the elite jobs in college hockey.
I am not sure if Larson's coaching record shows an elite coach. He took over Motzko's team in 2018-19 and had a 30-6-3 record but got beat in the NCAA Regionals. The year they made the NCAA Finals was 2020-21, but their record was 20-11-0. They had a 25-13-3 record in 2022-23, but just a 4th place finish in the NCHA and lost in the NCAA Regional Final. Since then he was 17-16-5 in 23-24, 14-21-1 in 24-25 and 16-19-1 in 25-26. Nine games below .500 for the past three seasons. In the past two seasons in NCHA Conference play the Huskies were just 15-28.
If you adjust his overall NCHA Conference record by ignoring the inherited 2018-19 season, his overall record is 73-77-15 over 6 seasons. Not a very inspiring overall record.
I also believe that we will know a good deal about the future of the program with Brett Larson as the head coach sooner than most people think. In the modern era, the players and commits will tell the story very rapidly. While I don't think the recruiting pipeline we have coming in is totally elite, if he can retain the commits we have and the experienced players we already have, AND add some follow on talent to Mariucci, then that is a good sign.
But if we lost the Cullen commitments, perhaps Levi Harper and/or Geiger/McArthur and especially if we lost Mooney or Ziemer either to transfer portal or pro hockey, we would be starting from a very deep well that will be difficult for any coach to climb out of.
I don't think it would be that lateral a move. I think he would get a significant raise.
But also that article was from like 2 or 3 weeks ago. So it is completely unknown where in the process they are at so he was considered but I wouldn't exactly say he's the front runner or anything like that.
Still curious if Coyle even reached out to Barr, imo that guy actually has a good resume, not perfect but better than the options we know Coyle pursued.it is true, Rabs has only tanked 2 years in a row (2-6-1 last year; 4-4-1 this year) to miss the tournament after being the front runner midway through the year both years.
i'm just teasing but tbh, none of the guys considered were guys you were hiring based purely on resume. Larson has a bunch of national experience as well. His resume is better than Rabs' at this point, but I do think Rabs has more "potential" that could be untapped. Larson has made the tourney 4 times and a national title game.
Think that some beat writers for SCSU are saying he's a better coach than given credit for for the shit show that SCSU has turned into with their enrollment and funding does make me feel slightly better, though again he would not have been my first choice
Looks like the additional transfer window that comes with new coaches opens in five days, so hopefully we aren’t seeing Ziemer or LJ in there this weekend.