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| (above) Trygve Myhren, Casey Gallager, Jim Montgomery, Chancellor Coombe & Peg Bradley-Doppes |
DU Athletic Director Peg Bradley-Doppes makes welcoming speech.
Peg: Confirms Montgomery will be coach.Jim Montgomery introduced by Peg as new hockey coach.
Peg: DU is one of the best jobs in college hockey.
Peg: Praises Montgomery's past record.
Jim: Thanks everyone.Chambers & media ask questions.
Jim: Praises Gwozdecky & Murray for building DU hockey [smart move].
Jim: Will build DU brand & DU hockey family.
Jim: Will do everything in his power to proudly represent PioNation.
Chambers: Asks questions about coaching staff, players & recruits.
Jim: Still head coach at Dubuque, so can't comments on any questions about current players, recruits or coaches per NCAA rules.
Chambers: Cites Gwozdecky's record and then rips DU leadership handling of Gwozdecky firing in a statement.
Jim: He reached out to Gwozdecky on Saturday and had great conversation. Praised Gwozdecky and DU. Handled question well.
Question: Will being an "outsider" make the transition difficult?
Jim: Plans to build on DU infrastructure and bring his experiences from Maine.
Chambers: What is more important. Graduating players or sending them to pro hockey?
Jim: Both. NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement holding college hockey hostage.
Chambers: Did Jim speak to Nick Shore? Comment on six players leaving early.
Jim: Vague answer.
60 comments:
A hockey family. Bring back the spaghetti dinners. Sure Frank was a crappy coach and wasted NHL caliber talent but we had a “family” atmosphere. A really small family since Frank is better at picking conferences his team can win than he is as a coach. It was a time when DU fans were free to boo their own team(with good reason!). Back to the bad ‘ol days. D-Rah.
Press conference ends and breaks into small groups to ask questions of DU staffers and coach.
I heard Monty is considering Aaron MacKenzie as an assistant coach.
http://www.milehighhockey.com/2013/4/14/4223198/2013-chl-cutthroats-mackenzie-dui
So no public statement once again from Peg or administration? Complete snub to the alumni.
Press conference was short and sweet. Montgomery presented himself well. Let's face it--he's in a tough spot. Following a legend with a fantastic track record is not going to be easy. The timing is a bit awkward too--he heads back to finish out the season with Dubuque. How much time will have between now and the end of the Saints' season to reach out to DU's recruits and current players?
I thought Chambers asked some good pointed questions. I was hoping to learn more about what style of play Montgomery advocates, but he did mention puck possession, along with the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, and St. Louis Blues.
Chambers didn't ask questions. he made a speech lambasting Peg. he is pissed because Peg has shut him down on getting an interview during this mess.
Thought coach did a good job.
Good to see some members of the Board of Trustees there. Hopefully they are getting the message that this was a colossal screw-up and Athletics is going to need a massive infusion of cash to fix the mess.
Chambers playing hardball was fun to watch.
and where will your massive infusion of cash come from oh wise one....
12:39 - Chambers is pissed because a great coach got fired for no justifiable reason.
Chambers & Gwozdecky had what can only be likened to a rocky marriage. They probably spent most of their time privately bitching about each other, but it was based on respect.
DU has a $300 million budget. This isn't rocket science.
"this isn't rocket science"
Oh, so you know how to run a tuition driven private University?
they have been diverting funds to increase financial aid, a smart business move, as this is needed to keep kids coming to DU
Wouldn't you know--big blond cat jumping on the computer desk managed to knock out the presser just as Chambers asked his questions #*@&
Coach Monty did a good job paying homage to Murray Armstrong and Gwoz.
Somehow I doubt PBD will sit down with the press for questions.
I don't give a crap if Chambers had a hidden agenda. He was spot on, particularly with his attempt to pull information from Montgomery regarding expectations. Everyone wants to know--how does (and will) DU define expectations for the hockey program moving forward?? In 19 seasons Gwoz won over 440 games, two NCs, numerous league championships, playoff championships etc. Plus he ran a clean and proud program. In light of this, I want to know what DU expects from Montgomery.
obama show - payment past due. No funds. DG, ask to see true cost of show. Dearest leaders will share.
Jim... Just don't f*** this team up! That's all I'm saying.
I seem to remember most observers thought that Romney won the first "Obama show..."
12:53 seems to think he knows something the rest of us don't.
We need to quit crapping on each other. I loved Gwoz and think it was a massive mistake to let him go. Time to either become an Ohio State fan or back the Pioneers. We will never know what went down so why drive each other crazy?
I'm in with the Pios and Monty-Ice.
Tell you what.
I'll send an email to DU Provost Gregg Kvistad later today since he was cited in the Clarion article and I'll share any information he provides to me.
I'll ask about:
Presidential Debate aka "Obama/Romney Show."
Tuition increases every year that Coombe has been Chancellor.
Wage freezes for faculty.
Why Athletics Budget was cut.
Was Anderson Academic Commons exterior designed changed due to lack of funding.
How many emails Chancellor & Alumni office received about Boone.
We'll see what happens.
Ohio State summarily fires hockey coach with no notice. George was up there three years ago consulting (interviewing?) for the job. George certainly available now. Could my suspicious mind smell some discussions with Gwoz. and O.S. last week?
jus askin
Boooooo, you guys suck! Hockey can be fun win or lose. I sat through a lot of losses with Marshall and Ralph. You just have to keep things in perspective. It's only hockey. Have a few beers and don't be afraid to have some fun. Even if it's at the referees or your own teams expense. You call that a hit, my sister can check better than that you nancy boy. It's gonna be fun! I'll hoist one to Jimmy.
OK everyone, calm down. Monty's our coach, he sounds like he's going to do a great job, especially with recruiting...hopefully he'll start to hit the East Coast, something Gwoz didn't attempt to tap. It's time to move on and let it go, and I'm the most pesimistic of anyone...Rangers and DU fan makes you that way, but I'm so tired of the constant bitching on here, it's over, move on.
1:57.... I completely agree!
Getting East Coast talent to come west is very hard to do, since many of the schools there are perceived to be better academically and the lure of playing in front of friends and family is strong. Much easier getting western kids to go East.
I hope Montgomery keeps us competitive in all recruiting areas
As Swami used to say, it's less embarrassing if you make fun of your team BEFORE the Minnesota fans do.
Sorry I missed it. Were the other coaches there? Mr Gold Medal? Killer? Tenzer? Thomas' brother? ? Was Jim Scherer there?
I thought Coach Montgomery said all the right things. Now the page has been turned so lets get behind him and the team to win in the new conference and go to the Frozen Four. Coaches are hired to be fired.
Yeah, I agree it is time to move on with the new era. I'd appreciate knowing what went down with Gwoz as much as the next person. And I think the DU admin handled it poorly. And I think Coombe lacks some people skills. But I also don't see the point of trying to make some of this sound like a conspiracy or something, with an expensive debate, faculty raise freeze, the poor handling of the mascot, and Gwoz's firing, all as part of some kind of evil plan. Glad people are asking questions, and glad that people are criticizing the university for their lack of transparency. But let's not go overboard. All is good in Pioneer land--a good new hockey coach, lacrosse #1 in the country, DU women's soccer makes it to the sweet 16, etc. Chill out, people, the times are good, and I'm sure the admin and Peg will handle the tough issues in good faith.
Chamber's is an idiot. Nice job pouting and making a complete a$$ out if himself.
@2:47,
So you don't want the truth?
If you’re an Avalanche fan this is a piece of cake. The key word is apathy. The season begins and you think - hey hockey! You remember the glory years of the Avs winning the Cup. You look at the price of an NHL ticket and wait to see how the team will do this season. You think about going to the game but say what the hell I’ll just watch from home and turn it off if they fall too far behind. As the season winds down you keep track to see if they will get the first draft pick for another last place finish. When the invoice comes for my DU season tickets this fall, I’ll think – hey hockey!
2:47 here. In answer to "do I want the truth"--truth about what? If it's about why Gwoz was fired, I feel confident enough that it was based on a contract impasse, and I'm OK with that. Also, though I'm eternally grateful for the 2 national titles, I was very frustrated with NCAA performance in the last 6 years. Faculty pay freeze and cost of debate? Over my head, not going to pretend to understand the economics of this, and trust that the Board of Trustees does.
Frankly, I am just here to discuss DU sports, and DU fans have no reason to complain about the state of DU sports. I understand challenges are ahead, but the university has been through much tougher trials and tribulations than these.
I also think that Montgomery made a pretty good first impression. Still would have been more excited above Appert--the difference between giving someone as standing ovation as a welcome, and polite applause. But I think Montgomery will grow on me, especially if he wins. I went into the press conference giving Montgomery a C+ for overall impression, now I give him a B. He's got to do a lot to win folks over, but I think today was a good start.
@ Anon 3:19...
I believe everyone would like to hear "the truth" about this situation. But, I also believe that it's extremely unlikely that we ever will.
As a private entity, it is DU's right to disseminate whatever information it chooses to; just as long as what it says (or doesn't say...) doesn't break any laws.
In the end, though, this is all useless hand-wringing. What's done is done and now you (and everyone else here) has a choice to make:
Do you choose continue to support the University and its athletes, knowing that you'll likely never hear the whole truth?
Or, do you choose to withhold your support, based on DU's obvious obfuscation and lack of transparency?
Really, it's up to you...
Chambers seemed to be asking questions that many of us would like to know the answers to. I don't have a problem with him, as he had the onions to ask the tough questions.
How many seasons will it take DU to win 20 games? I'm betting at least two.
I'm also betting that if it's more than two, Jimmy will be gone. Spaghetti dinners are all well and good but Peg ain't gonna put up with back to back losing seasons.
In recent years DU hockey received far more coverage in the Denver Post sports section than they probably deserved considering the size of the fan base and the actual attendance at the games.
Chambers brought Dater, Kizla & Frei on board at various times and the positive articles flowed like wine.
No doubt the Posts' coverage dropped off significantly this past season as Chambers handled more Avs responsibilities and Dater clearly lacked the fire, drive or time to cover the team.
I'm glad Chambers asked the questions he did...I just wish he hadn't come across like such a petulant child when he did it.
Chambers asked a question? I didn't hear it.
Some Ohio State fans on USCHO are about as surprised at the firing of their Oz, as we were about our Gwoz. Well, maybe not quite as surprised. But some of them question their AD's commitment to hockey, which would create a question as to whether Gwoz would want to coach there.
Chambers said via Twitter this afternoon that Peg answered all of his questions off camera.
Said he will have an article in print in the next 12 hours.
Perhaps the "Family Feud" is coming to an end.
Whatever else we think, heading to the Campus Lounge for a face to face with hockey alumni and fans is a very good thing.
Any real DU supporter does their thing at the Campus Lounge. Screw those other newfangled establishments, if you are serious, go to the Campus. End of story.
I bet Aaron McKenzie wasn't at the meet-up
Thought Chambers was very immature. This press conference was not about Gwoz. That will happen in time.
@ Anon 6:06:
Agreed.
Chambers took what was supposed to be about the new coach and did his damn level best to make it about the previous coach....and, what's even more ridiculous, himself.
I very much appreciate the coverage Chambers dedicates to DU Hockey, but he really barfed on his shoes today.
Aaron and Jimmy can compare drunk tank stories. Who thought we’d ever see this about a DU hockey player let alone the coach!
PioVision only showing Monty's statement, not the Q and A.
Guess admin didn't like the tine if the questions. Waiting to read what Chambers has to say about meeting with PBD
Hey, he took Nolan's jersey!
I thought Chambers did a great job today. He was obviously pushing the evelope because he's a reporter trying to get the story. A story that we all want to hear. He only did this because DU has been dicking the media (and all fans, alumni, etc.) around.
And 6:06 "This press conference was not about Gwoz. That will happen in time." When? DU had it's first official press conference since the firing and said nothing. DU has had over a week to say something and has kept their mouth shut. Without pressure from the media, namely Chambers, DU doesn't say a word, ever. And look, after all the pressure he applied, Chambers got his interview with PBD.
Well done, Chambers. I look forward to your upcoming story. I'm sure PBR's responses were vague and didn't reveal much, but at least you made her talk.
Chambers made himself out to be a crappy version of Larry Brooks today, unprofessional
Chambers always has been a joke, a classless ass
Chambers is a reporter and not on the DU public relations staff. As such, he's professionally obligated to ask questions occasionally that might make some folks uncomfortable. In the case at hand, we had a news conference to announce a new DU hockey coach. Under normal circumstances that would involve the customary, lobs. But these weren't ordinary circumstances. An enormously popular and successful coach had been fired. Not only had there been no explanation, there was a deliberate effort to stiff the media, to refuse to discuss the matter. Yes, DU is a private institution, but those people who pay for the tickets and drink the beer have a claim on some understanding of what went down here and why. If it's DU's position that the public has no business in wanting to know, then maybe they should stop charging for the tickets.
Like the old saying: the job of a journalist to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. I think that latter is pretty much spot on in describing the maharajahs who run DU.
Great hire by DU. As an alumni of Du hockey and a good one at that this is the best hire possible. Gwozdecky seems to get lots of support, and yes his teams have done quit well with 2 NCAA Championships. But, i get the weekly updates from George and wow i have never ever in my time seen a coach with so many excuses! It blew me away. This guy did not ever take responsibility when they lost but wanted the credit when they won. i have zero respect for George he was a phony money hungry guy.
DG,
Any response from Kvistad?
Didnt think so.Awaiting his spoon feeding from the BOT.
Doesn't everyone get the weekly update? I get one and just assumed that everyone else got the same thing. Do they send it to the media or does someone have to leak it to Chambers?
He's referring to Gwozdecky's private update emails, which were sent only to former Pioneer hockey players and staffers.
So those don't go to Chambers and other media? Whoops, I thought that was all public.
Coach Gwozdecky's weekly email went out to ex-players and people associated with the program's past.
I for one was never on the list.
They were very bland and mostly included a recap of the past weekend's series.
In the recaps I saw over the years, he never called out any specific players for errors and like I said they were very bland.
Keep in mind that it is against NCAA rules for a coach to give out inside information about players injuries or hidden status reports on players for upcoming games.
Texas A&M football Dennis Franchione got busted for this in 2007 when the NCAA uncovered a fee-driven [$1,200 annually] weekly email newsletter to that contained "inside information."
So Gwoz was Deep Throat? I always thought it was Tenzer.
DG, any updates from Kvistad? (crickets chirping)
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