(left) Jeff Jackson has turned around Notre Dame hockey's program in less than three yearsFrom: Rivals.com
by Tim Prister
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — National Hockey League executive Brian Burke knows a quality coach when he sees one.
The fourth-year executive vice-president and general manager of the Anaheim Ducks—who won the Stanley Cup in 2006-07—was named The Sporting News' executive of the year with the Vancouver Canucks in 2001.
So when Burke offers high praise of Notre Dame head coach Jeff Jackson, it means something.
"I like his intensity and his preparation, his communication skills, and in terms of the overall package and the importance of education, he's a perfect fit for Notre Dame," said Burke, an Edina, Minn., product where several former Irish players resided. "I'm not surprised he's done well here.
"His teams execute extremely well, he's a good recruiter, the compliance part of it and the classroom part of it is important to him, so the administration won't have any trouble in that regard. It's a perfect fit for him. I'm very close with (former Irish head coach) Dave Poulin. I thought what happened with him was unfortunate. But I'm not surprised Jeff has had success."
Jackson has been to four Frozen Fours, winning two with Lake Superior State, with a runner-up to Boston College last season with the Irish.
"I hired Jeff Jackson 16 years ago," Burke said. "I already knew he was a top coach then."
"Notre Dame is the only college in America where you can recruit effectively in 50 states. The recruiting base most teams have has certain geographic areas. But everyone knows Notre Dame. Everyone wants his kid to go there. Every Catholic in America wants that. My son (Patrick '06, a current Philadelphia Flyers scout) went here and I was thrilled.
Notre Dame is in the process of arranging to have its facilities renovated, which is critical to the program.
"It will be the difference between long-term success and a lack of long-term success," Burke said. "Right now they're winning in spite of the facility, and they need to fix that."
The fourth-year executive vice-president and general manager of the Anaheim Ducks—who won the Stanley Cup in 2006-07—was named The Sporting News' executive of the year with the Vancouver Canucks in 2001.
So when Burke offers high praise of Notre Dame head coach Jeff Jackson, it means something.
"I like his intensity and his preparation, his communication skills, and in terms of the overall package and the importance of education, he's a perfect fit for Notre Dame," said Burke, an Edina, Minn., product where several former Irish players resided. "I'm not surprised he's done well here.
"His teams execute extremely well, he's a good recruiter, the compliance part of it and the classroom part of it is important to him, so the administration won't have any trouble in that regard. It's a perfect fit for him. I'm very close with (former Irish head coach) Dave Poulin. I thought what happened with him was unfortunate. But I'm not surprised Jeff has had success."
Jackson has been to four Frozen Fours, winning two with Lake Superior State, with a runner-up to Boston College last season with the Irish.
"I hired Jeff Jackson 16 years ago," Burke said. "I already knew he was a top coach then."
"Notre Dame is the only college in America where you can recruit effectively in 50 states. The recruiting base most teams have has certain geographic areas. But everyone knows Notre Dame. Everyone wants his kid to go there. Every Catholic in America wants that. My son (Patrick '06, a current Philadelphia Flyers scout) went here and I was thrilled.
Notre Dame is in the process of arranging to have its facilities renovated, which is critical to the program.
"It will be the difference between long-term success and a lack of long-term success," Burke said. "Right now they're winning in spite of the facility, and they need to fix that."
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