Ok, I was wrong. I admit it. I didn't think UND would fire someone with only a few really down years as a Head Coach and a lot of talent on the roster. But today I was proven wrong. Brad Berry had a win percentage of over 64% in his time with UND as the head honcho. Admittedly, all the hate online for him as the season progressed must have swayed the AD at UND because I thought there were a lot of exceptions to this year that would have bought at least one more season from other programs. First, the injuries. We faced a LOT of injuries this year in key positions. Second, the screwy pairwise. For the first time since 1990, we failed to make the NCAA tournament despite having 20+ wins. But hey, we're not Arizona State, right?
I'm too far south to be "in the loop" anymore, so I didn't see this coming. Maybe I should have. I guess the signs were there: our D not being as fearsome as in years past, fundamentals not being as stout as they should, raiding "lesser" programs for top-line players (We're the southern campus, apparently, of Alaska Fairbanks), and running the risk of turning into another transfer portal surfing plug and play institution when our reputation is built based upon our developmental programming as much as our winning. I'm still not a fan of "If we're not in the Frozen Four every year, fire the coach" mentality many on social media seem to possess.
I'm curious who they will find. I wonder how our recruits will handle this change. I wonder who will transfer out because of this? Will this ensure Boisvert signs with Chicago?
I wonder what the national search will bring UND? Here are a few names that I know are out there. I don't know if they're under consideration or, if approached, would even consider coming to Grand Forks.
Dane Jackson - He's been named Interim Head Coach. He's familiar, and his style is known. He's an ex-UND player and has pro-playing and coaching experience. It is unclear to me how much of the recruiting that UND has done during his time at UND was performed by Coach Jackson. In my opinion, the penalty kill, which he's the main coach of, has regressed mightily the past few seasons as well. This might or might not signal a diminishing return for him. However, retaining him on the staff would be a good sign for Karl Goehring and Dillon Simpson.
Cary Eades: He's currently the President of Hockey Operations and Assistant GM of the Fargo Force. I am told he left under questionable circumstances, and I've heard from some unaffiliated USHL folks that he's not the most popular guy. That's all rumor and I know nothing about this. What I do know is that he was the 2023-2024 GM of the Year for the USHL and built Fargo into a powerhouse USHL program. I don't think Eades will get the job, but his name is out there.
Dave Hakstol: This is probably what all of the armchair social media GMs want to happen... just like they wanted Dean Blais back after he left Columbus. He is currently out of hockey after being let go as head coach of the Seattle Kraken. He experienced some success in the NHL with Philadelphia and was even a candidate for NHL coach of the year with the Kraken. Then again, his dismissal came with storm clouds after reports were made that Hakstol and some of the Kraken players were not on the best terms.
Matt Smaby: This is an odd choice but not unbelievable. Matt Smaby played for UND, has served at one point as team manager, coached abroad in a Swiss pro league, and currently is the head coach of the USHL Waterloo Blackhawks. It's unclear to me how good he is at recruiting or whether or not his coaching acumen is ready for DI hockey (which isn't a big deal to me as I argued that UNO's hire of Gabinet would bite them and so far, I'm wrong).
Long Shots that are NOT likely regardless:
Scott Sandelin: Ok, he's come up when Blais and Hakstol left so why not know? He has strong ties at UND and in Grand Forks. After the past few years where UMD has fallen on their faces more often than they'd like, I'm not so sure they'd be upset if UND came calling. That being said, I doubt Sandelin would leave Duluth while still employed.
Jason Herter: He's currently an assistant with WMU, he's had a lot of coaching experience, and he's well-liked. He's a former UND player as well. That being said, I highly doubt he'd take the job. He was coaxed out of retirement by WMU head coach Ferschweiler (I'm thinking I'm spelling that wrong). For that reason, I'm not so sure he'd want the job. Could be wrong though.
Dave Tippett: He's currently a senior advisor for the Seattle Kraken. Has loads of experience as a player and a coach. The only reason why I think Dave Tippett would take this job is if he wanted to be another Andy Murray. Go out coaching into retirement. This is about as long of a long shot as they come.
Aaron Schneekloth: Currently head coach of the Colorado Eagles of the AHL. Former UND guy. Other than that, he's so well established in the AHL that I don't see it likely he'd come down a level or two to D1 college hockey, even if it is his alma mater. Oh yeah, and he's leading the first-place team in his division right now. Would be nice though.
Evan Trupp: This is unlikely because of experience or lack
thereof. Evan was a great player for UND and played for a while in the
ECHL, AHL, and the German pro leagues before returning to be an
assistant coach in the NAHL and now an assistant coach and Director of
Hockey Ops for Muskegon of the USHL. He lacks experience in a head
coaching position. He, along with Matt Smaby (should he be passed up
for the head coaching position) would be a great candidate as an
assistant with UND should the new head coach decide to change staff.
Dean Bla... just kidding folks. He's retired. I only bring him up because there are still fans of the Nebraska Cornhuskers who are still pining for Tom Osborne to come back. He's gone, Jim.
NON-UND guys
Brett Skinner: Ok, he's not a UND guy. Worse yet, he's a DU guy. But he's been leading the Fargo Force for a few years and has been very successful.
Stu Bickel: Ok, that's not going to happen. Former Minnesota defenseman and current assistant coach of the AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds. I did say long shots, but he's a college hockey guy and has a coaching resume and player resumes. (On a tangent, former UND goaltender Peter Thome is the video coach for Coachella Valley! Who knew!)
Jeff Blashill: WMU guy. Currently an assistant coach with Tampa Bay. Has massive connections all over the place. No way he'd come to Grand Forks, but it's a name.
Grant Potulny: HA! He just left Northern Michigan for an AHL gig. No way he's coming back to D1 so soon. But he is a Grand Forks kid, even if he did play for some stinking rodents in college.
Greg Moore: Ok, he's a UMaine guy, but he's the current head coach of the NTDP program and has connections throughout USA Hockey, NHL, USHL, and the AHL. It would give us an in-road back into the National program.
Nick Fohr: U17 head coach. Very respected and has much of the same connections that Greg Moore has.
Dallas Ferguson: Current DU assistant coach. Former Alaska Fairbanks head coach. Hey, we take all of their castoffs, so why not take a former head coach? :D
SOMEBODY ELSE
There are a ton of coaches out there. Maybe we'll raid the Major Junior ranks or the ECHL or AHL coaching ranks for a coach? Who do you think will take the reins?
