An "internal" candidate when Red retires

Submitted by James Burrill Angell on
So I remember there was some talk in one of the threads about Hackett wanting an "internal" candidate to take over the hockey team when Red retires. Obviously Mel Pearson is the most logical choice but if he's comfortable at MTU, is there someone who is/was with the program? I just stumbled across an article that says former M and Red Wings player Mike Knuble is now an assistant coach with The Grand Rapids Griffins. http://www.griffinshockey.com/news/griffiti/?article_id=3036&content_ty… Is there any chance if Mel Pearson declines we take him?

ThadMattasagoblin

April 1st, 2015 at 6:57 PM ^

Mel pearson was our best assistant and we fell off when he left. Making powers or Wiseman head coach would be pretty hokeish. I bet we look outside if we can't get pearson.

Sam1863

April 1st, 2015 at 7:03 PM ^

Mel Pearson may be comfortable at MTU, but if Hackett is convinced that he's the best candidate and wants him for the job ... well, we've seen how that works out.

mchicagoblue

April 1st, 2015 at 8:16 PM ^

With all due respect to Wiseman and Powers, the only way Michigan should go with an internal hire is if they were to have Harbaugh do double duty and coach hockey in addition to football.

Sac Fly

April 1st, 2015 at 11:01 PM ^

If they even get to the assistant pool, it's only going to be from a select group of high profile candidates like John Madden or Greg Brown.

I'm sure Mike will make a great coach one day, but taking over for Red next year is just not going to happen.

gwkrlghl

April 1st, 2015 at 11:31 PM ^

Even if Mike Babcock was interested, I'm not totally sure he could've done as well in Houghton as Pearson has done. I want Pearson to come back here so bad and I don't believe anyone who thinks he has some magical, unbreakable love for Houghton....that he magically supressed for over 20 years in Ann Arbor while Tech languished

justingoblue

April 1st, 2015 at 11:59 PM ^

This isn't about Tech or Haughton, though. Barring some type of science fiction or sorcery that rolls back years or reanimates corpses, I don't think anyone would do better at Michigan than Mike Babcock.

Not saying it's going to happen or anything, but if he's interested it'd be malpractice not to give him the job.

growler4

April 1st, 2015 at 11:50 PM ^

I haven't watched a lot of Michigan hockey games over the last few years, and I'm no expert.

I realize that we've fallen off since Pearson left for Tech and that he's done quite well up there. I'm not saying or implying that he should not be a top or THE top choice for the spot once Red steps down - but I'm wondering if our recent struggles have more to do with inconsistent and sub-par goaltending than the departure of an assistant coach.

 

Gisele

April 2nd, 2015 at 12:01 AM ^

Unfortunately being in the BIG might be just enough reason for him to stay away.  Hopefully we see a big improvement in the conference next season.