Penn State courting Sandelin

[brmuskie]

Scott Sandelin has been contacted by Penn State about their coaching job and he said he "MAY" interview for it. Sandelin's wife is a Penn State alumni.

Off season is speculation season. I hope he doesn't leave the WCHA - he is one of the good guys.

[solbes]

Somewhat expected, but bothersome also. See article below from Pates at the DNT:

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/196774/

Some sources even mentioned the assistant AD from Penn State was ice level during the title game. Guy had on a Penn State jacket on and was wearing a big 'ol smile after the game winner.

If he gets 2x the offer to move, he's as good as gone. He's a home town guy from Hibbing, so I'd like to think staying put with his family and supporting what he's built are very real priorities. But everyone has a limit I suppose, and testing the water should be expected. Scott's wife has ties to Penn State, so there's that.

I did send Chancellor Black an email, as have others, but again the University only has so many dollars to go around. If he could stay on and continue his success for another 3-5 years, the program would have built some solid stability and would be ready for a new head coach should Sandy want to move on.

[solbes]

Just to add to this, Sandy's really had some up and down seasons. '04-05 was really tough to stomach as a Duluth fan with the talent they returned. The fade down the streatch last year was also difficult, just missing the NCAA's.

On the other hand, they have a positive trend going the past 3 seasons. Overall winning percentage is .518 which is respectable given the competition in the WCHA. How this translates to $$$ will be interesting.

00-01: 7-28-4

01-02: 13-24-3

02-03: 22-15-5

03-04: 28-13-4 2-1 NCAA's (loss to DU in semi)

04-05: 15-17-6

05-06: 11-25-4

06-07: 13-21-5

07-08: 13-17-6

08-09: 22-13-8 Broadmoor, 1-1 NCAA's

09-10: 22-17-1

10-11: 26-10-6 4-0 NCAA's

[Bear55]

Good luck dogs, I hope he stays.

[archerystud]

I would be surprised to see Sandelin go unless they offer him big money.

I couldn't imagine trying to start a new program when you are coming off of a National title.

Being that it was the first title for UMD I would think his job in Duluth is guaranteed for at least for a few years.

[scsavre]

I would hav to think penn state is going bigger than sandy wouldn't they. He doesn't have the best record up. Last few have been good.

That penn state gig is a very good gig. Big money and an easy path to sucess

[solbes]

]Big money and an easy path to sucess

Well Penn State will get to play the Gophers over and over again, so that may help

From Pates at DNT in article I copied above, "Other coaches Penn State is rumored to have interest in include Western Michigan’s Jeff Blashill, Union College’s Nate Leaman, Miami of Ohio’s Enrico Blasi, Princeton’s Guy Gadowsky, Wisconsin women’s coach Mark Johnson and Notre Dame assistant Paul Pooley."

I'll give you Blasi is a bigger name. Leaman won coach of the year for Union, but is not exactly big time. Mark Johnson has all of that name recognition for Miracle on Ice plus UW womens success. I'd put Sandelin right up there near the top, but I hope he stays.

[scsavre]

I think is what attracks people to the penn job is the starting from scratch. They can take credit for building it. It being Penn state and the big 10 and all that jazz also gives any coach a great chance at success. Hockey will also be very popular there the first few years. Lots of money, new rink. Pretty much what every coach wants. Or atleast a lot of them.

Id rather see Sandy stay too. I think they will offer it to Gwoz, not sure if he would take it though.

[solbes]

Yeah that's a big name right there. Plus it's fun to say...Gwozz...

Money, recruiting, arena are all things in Penn States favor, I agree. Build it up and you are a hero. On the flip side if they do off to a rough start the same boosters that are paying your salary are going to be the first ones knocking on your door when they get impatient.

[cbrooks]

Here's a article from CHN

http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2011/04/16_speculating_on_penn_state.php

Off the topic here but I read somewhere that Dean Blais was courted aggressively by Michigan Tech but declined.

[solbes]

Off the topic here but I read somewhere that Dean Blais was courted aggressively by Michigan Tech but declined.

I had heard that too. If true I bet he didn't ponder it for long. Why would he leave Omaha to become a Yooper? I heard Eades and Guentzels name for that position too, but I think both are destined for better opportunities.

[cbrooks]

It sounded like Blais was closer than people would believe in some reports. It sounds like Mike Hastings is being courted now for Tech.

http://undhockey.areavoices.com/?p=87830

I have a feeling that Scott Sanderlin will be the Penn St coach. I read somewhere Schlossman chat line that the head coaching persition will be somewhere between 300,000 and 350,000 dollars. Thats top dollar as far as college coaches. Here's what UND's coaches make

http://www2.und.edu/our/uletterArchive/print_article.php?uletterID=2920

[solbes]

I'm sure it far exceeds what he is currently making in Duluth. Question is, did Duluth offer him a long term w/ higher salary and how does it compare? UMD has been offering him 2 or 3 year contracts lately, so it's time for them to step up to the plate. I expect an announcement either way sometime very soon. I'm 50/50 on this whole thing. If he did leave, it's not as if the sky is falling. Wouldn't mind seeing Rohlik come back from Ohio State. Guentzel would also look mighty fine behind the bench.

I still don't get the whole Blais thing in Tech. I know he's an outdoorsy kind of guy and doesn't really dig the big cities, but that's about all the allure that job would have. In my mind he's about as blue chip of coaching candidate as is out there, and should command the best opportunities.

Speaking of Blais and Sandy, Sandy just signed up as assitant coach for the 2012 World Juniors behind head coach Blais. Great to see them reunited in some capacity and the US team getting serious about winning. Hope they do well.

[cbrooks]

I kind of wish Blais would have got the job at Michigan Tech for the sake of keeping a small school hockey program going. I bet they get Mike Hastings and it sounds like he's a good coach who deserve a shot.

I've heard that maybe Cary Eades could be on the short list for the UMD job if that was to open up. You see him being persued by Duluth?

Looking forward to the 2012 world Jrs. I remember Scott Sanderlin being the headcoach in the 2005-06 games when it was held at the Ralph.

[solbes]

Cary Eades would be another good choice that I'd feel comfortable with at Duluth. He also seems ready for the next level. I'm no Sioux fan, but the last Sioux assistant turned head coach seemed to do okay!

I'm still pulling for Chancellor Black and AD Bob Nielson to come to their senses though. Keeping current coaching in place is the best way to retain our forward inertia.

[Bear55]

You can't have Guentzel, I want to see him coach the Gophers some day, he is long overdue for a head coaching job.

[solbes]

True that, but he's not going to sit around and wait forever. Only way for that to happen is for the FMGAC (Fishing Minnesota Gopher Advocate Coalition with members Bear55 and Scsavr) to take over temporary AD duties at the U.

[solbes]

Sounds like Penn State will make their head coaching announcement on Monday. Timing is not good on this.

[cbrooks]

Darn it. Wrost case scenio... Sandelin goes to Penn St, builds a competitive hockey program at the very school that cause the emergence of Big Ten hockey and UND loses Cary Eades to UMD

[Bear55]

FMGAC has tried several times to get Maturi committed to a mental institution but apparently signing Lucia to an extension is not valid reason to commit someone.

[scsavre]

Fear not the FMGAC is all over this one.

Lucia will finish his contract next year, and he still doesnt have an extension and his kid still hasnt signed. (red lights)

Dean Blais will sign a 3 year deal with the Gophs and Bring Guentzel with him. Hastings will take over the job at UNO. Hastings has been a long time coming for the UNO job. He has been planning it for 20 years. If he took the Tech job, it would expire the same day as Blaises. Hastings is the next UNO coach. Guenzel will then take over the Gopher program, another long time coming.

Carey Eades ($140K a year total compensation), come on. I hope for UMD's sake they got someone better in mind. By the way Rohlik is an awesome coach. He was the coach at Hill Murray - where half of the FMGAC played in high school.

I would look for Rholik - I think his stock has dropped a bit though.

Hastings

Guentel

Scott Bell

Johnson

And a maybe Phil Housley - who has interviewed for the Penn Job - not going to college ever hurts him though.

All to be head coaches in the 3-4 seasons.

As far as Tech - that positions looses its value with the Big 10 starting and if you dont have your next step lined up already. Could be a real downer for a current assistant. But a good opportunity for a unknown.

[archerystud]

I just read an article that said Johnson was Penn State's top choice (WI article however) and he interviewed this week for the job. My guess is that it's between Johnson and Sandy.

Guess we find out Monday.

[cbrooks]

Penn St has name there coach...Guy Gadowshi. He's the head coach for princeton.

[Bear55]

Interesting hire, did anyone else see that coming?

UMD fans have to be happy.

[scsavre]

Does this stat shock anyone. .......sandy in 11years at umd is 192-200-52 %.491. Jutting in 11 years at mankato is 172-200-53 .467%.

That number would make me think that sandy really isn't all that good. He has a way better and bigger program and he is pretty on par with mankato.

I was surprised.