Fire Lucia

[scsavre]

I cant believe it either. With Lucia you might not ever get your rival back. By the time we fire him we will be in the Big 10.

I still think there is a chance that they are setting up for a retirement, maybe he just wants one last good year. His interview stated that he wanted another Title though, so sounding unlikely.

Can Maturi demand that they fire the staff around him. I am assuming Lucia is fully in charge of that.

I am steaming right now. Maybe NDSU will come down here with their club team and beat us at home next year.

[zepman]

Maturi can and does have the right to negotiate Lucias assistants in every contract he signs. Head coaches will usually protect their assistants somewhere in their own contracts though.

[Bryce]

] Maybe NDSU will come down here with their club team and beat us at home next year.

That right there is funny. Sioux fan would have one heckuva time figuring out who to root for... or against.

[scsavre]

Done deal Lucia just got a 3 year extension.

[solbes]

Ouch. I guess .500 hockey is what's expected then? On the plus side you will almost assuredly get Mario to commit to the U.

[PurpleFloyd]

]Done deal Lucia just got a 3 year extension.

In typical "U" fashion that means he will get fired next season and they will be on the hook for the remainder of his contract. I cannot fathom how the AD can still have his job at this point.

[Bear55]

I have to say I am not very happy about this, 3 F*#^&@(* years!!!! Are you kidding me!

I still think he is a good coach but this is not the message we need to be sending to him, if I am the most forgiving fan in the world I let him finish his current deal and not so gently hint that you make the NCAA's or it's your job.

[Shorelunch]

Ouch. I guess .500 hockey is what's expected then? On the plus side you will almost assuredly get Mario to commit to the U.

"Not so fast my friend." I bet Mario goes to ND (no not UND, but the other ND) or CC.

[solbes]

Really? I know Tony had offers from Michigan and somewhere else if I remember. I don't think it was ever really in question where he was ultimately going though. I could be wrong, it happens all the time

Bear and ScSavr is who Maturi should have been talking to. I can't believe he didn't give this more consideration after what's gone on the last 3-4 years. It seems like a slap in the face to the fans.

[brmuskie]

Settle down - it seems like every college coach that is nearing the end of a contract gets an extension...... for recruiting purposes. It hurts thier ability to recruit if the coaching situation is uncertain.

The bad news (or good news for people like me) is that there might be some kids out there who won't go to the U because Lucia might still be around.

[scsavre]

I could see mario maybe doing that. I've heard he might not be the hardest working student though. Or atleast he has missed a ton of school and people had mentioned that before.

I just can't see why they would offer him an extension. It is just crazy. It was almost a stretch for him to get to coach next year. Much less get added time. I sure hope they know something I don't know. Maybe he blamed it on early departures, we loose 3 a year.

[Bear55]

Bear and ScSavr is who Maturi should have been talking to.

I was expecting a call but never got one.

[Bear55]

Settle down - it seems like every college coach that is nearing the end of a contract gets an extension...... for recruiting purposes. It hurts thier ability to recruit if the coaching situation is uncertain.

The bad news (or good news for people like me) is that there might be some kids out there who won't go to the U because Lucia might still be around.

This is very true, Lucia could be gone after next season but I think a lot us are unhappy about his return next year.

I am starting to wonder if the Gophers will lose some recruits, it hasn't been a problem yet but you have to wonder when things will start to turn on us.

[cbrooks]

I got to agree with brmuskie too. It makes more sense with the extention from a recruiting standpoint.

[solbes]

You know what would have really solidified their recruiting situation?

Hiring Dean.

[solbes]

Sorry, could't resist. Combo of me being a semi-closet Gopher fan and rubbing a little salt in the wounds of the truly faithful.

Speaking of a lot of posts, the post totals have been adding up in a hurry lately. So close to 2000 now.

[solbes]

Shoulda fired Donny. Okay I'm done here for awhile.

[cbrooks]

In my own humble opinion. I thought Dean would be a Gopher but I'm pretty sure that won't happen. He's got a nice contract in Omaha. He appears happy with his situation and he's came out and said after my 4 year contract with UNO I'm retired. Last time he came out in public and said something like this was at UND when he sign a 5 year contract and said after that he was going to move on. He did exactly that. I just get a feeling Dean is a person who says something he means it. There always a small chance after all he is a native minnesotan who played as a Gopher in college.

[scsavre]

I wouldn't hold my breath for blais either.

Your right muturi should have called me.

Sounds like contract is going to be favorable for a buyout. I'm more worried about have a medioce program scarring recruits away then the coach. But I have heard the whole recruiting exuse.

[scsavre]

OK, So I visited with someone who is very involved in MN hockey at all levels, and is also very close to Mike Guentzel. I know, right....im so cool.

Ok here it is. Guentzel is no less then livid right now. If you ever hear someone say that he or Blais didnt want the Gophs job, you would be 100% wrong. An expected path would be, Hastings takes over UNO, Balis and Guentel come here and Guntzels takes over after a 3 year Blais contract.

It was also said that they along with the Alumni are absolutley livid with Maturi, its like Repubs vs the liberals there. They say Maturi cares nothing about the alumni or sports in general. Maturi knows they want the job and there has been no communication as of tuesday.

Also, you cant be mad at Lucia here, why wouldnt he accept another contract at his dream job, who wouldnt. This is all Maturi.....Side note, they also saod that they are hearing rumblings about further decreasing the student sections and raising ticket and parking prices to try to recapture some lost revenue.

I agree with not blaming Lucia - why wouldnt he take the job.

so again, this is from a good source, but it doesnt means things cant change. Sounds luike Lucia has a cheap buyout and a short leash.

[cbrooks]

So...maybe more to come .

I would figure the athletic director would have talk to the obvious available coaches. That is puzzling.

I didn't realize we have a bigshot her

[Shorelunch]

Good insight. New hockey season ticket holder will have to make a "donation" from $100 - $500 per seat (everything but end seats) plus normal ticket prices. For 2012-13, all season ticket holders will need to make donations. Not good timing. They also need beer sales backj at TCF and Marriucci.

[scsavre]

Yah, this isn't good. I'm hearing strong indicators of both alt and bjugs looking to leave. Bjugs is basically just waiting for his uncle to say what to do. I'm getting worried for gopher hockey. Disclammer, I am not saying they are leaving, just that there is talk and traction with it.

[scsavre]

Come on brooks, you new I was big time...

[cbrooks]

Eventually Gophers will hit rock bottom...what that is???