On March 30, Boston University officially cut ties with head coach Albie O’Connell after four seasons with the Terriers. The move opens up one of the most prized gigs in college hockey, and there’s plenty of buzz around who should take the helm.
But obviously, some candidates are better fits than others. Current associate head coach Jay Pandolfo should be at the top of the list.
Pandolfo checks every box BU needs right now in a coach: He has professional experience as a player and a coach (including two Stanley Cups with the New Jersey Devils), he’s familiar with the current program, and he’s an alumnus of BU during its early ’90s success. He’s like Danton Cole for Michigan State, except he can actually coach.
There are plenty of benefits on the recruiting trail too. Pandolfo is a local guy that was once in the shoes of a lot of players BU is going to recruit. When he sits on your couch and tells you what it’s like playing for your hometown school at the top of college hockey, you’re going to believe him.
His NHL experience, while probably not in the memories of those players directly, certainly helps that too. When mom and dad remember a guy as a lovable, underrated player who was good at the little things, that’s a guy you’re going to trust. Especially for recruits that might not have a likely path to the NHL in their immediate reach, that’s important.
Those factors all matter for a program that hasn’t really been a contender in the four years O’Connell was behind the bench. The Terriers need someone that brings a perspective as both a steward of BU’s tradition and as a coach that wants to win some hockey games.
He’s also a fresher candidate for a program at a crossroads as some of the other names thrown around the past day are seasoned college coaches. But despite the similar benefits they would bring to the program, that might not be the best option.
Take David Quinn, for example. He coached five seasons for the Terriers before jumping to the New York Rangers’ rebuild. He got his team to two regional finals and the 2015 National Championship game (with the likes of Jack Eichel, Evan Rodrigues, and AJ Greer on the roster).
Quinn has been around the block before, sure, but that doesn’t guarantee success. College hockey has changed since Quinn left, and he would be starting from scratch. It’s also likely that after coaching Team USA in the Beijing Olympics, an NHL team will call on his services again — especially with how many NHL coaches could be on the hot seat this offseason. BU needs someone that’s going to stick around for a while and grow into the role. The Terriers are at the bottom right now, and that means there’s no rush to be an elite team right away. Choosing someone with high potential as a coach is crucial.
Other veteran coaches pose different issues, namely former Union head coach Rick Bennett, who resigned earlier this season after an investigation into his coaching practices. That situation should raise concerns about his fitness to lead a team that’s probably going to struggle early on. Just read what he said about the investigation:
“Am I going to please every player that came through the program in my time, in all those years? Absolutely not,” Bennett told The Daily Gazette. “Do I feel like some players did not like my style of tough-but-fair and demanding? I just felt like that culture or what we believed in to achieve the things that we did was needed. That’s it. But I always had the players’ best interests at heart. I cared. It was never personal and I can live with that. I’ll put my head down tonight and sleep just fine.”
It sounds like Bennett stands by his tenure at Union despite the bitter end. New10 reported that former players were assaulted by a former assistant coach on Bennett’s staff, and that makes that quote ring pretty hollow.
If the investigation resurfaces or more allegations come to light, Bennett would likely have to resign from a role with BU, which would put the Terriers right back at square one. Bennett deserves a fair shot, but it’s too close to his resignation and the investigation to make that a worthwhile hire.
Considering those two coaches are the other leading candidates, Pandolfo should top the list. He fits all the requirements needed for a head coach rebuilding one of college hockey’s storied programs.
Ryan Kennedy from The Hockey News said his name was thrown around a lot after O’Connell’s firing, and that’s no surprise. It’s likely that BU athletics director Drew Marrochello is cognizant of Pandolfo’s obvious benefits.
It’s going to be a painful process, and the Terriers need someone who’s willing to grind it out. No one is better suited for that than Pandolfo.
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