Maturi

[GopherKrazed]

The coach and his assistants may have something to do with that...it seems he started out pretty well and has gone downhill from there..

just a thought.

The fact that the coach and assistants are still there depite the downhill slide is on Maturi.

 

[calminnfan]

The fact that the coach and assistants are still there depite the downhill slide is on Maturi.

Honestly I have not followed the Gopher hockey program that much and I realize there are criticisms of the HC. I do understand the turnstile of players leaving after one year is tough for any team to handle, especially when they are not seasoned at playing on the collegiate level or have had any time to gel as a team.

 

[Mulligan]

I would suggest you could just read Nadine's blog from earlier this week. That pretty much laid out the case. But here's mine.

Unlike some of the knee-jerk attacks on Maturi, you have thought about it. But even with that there is a rebuttal to just about every point you make.

-The controversy with Maturi starts with the hire of Brewster. Not talked about much now, but I distinctly remember talk back then that it was Bruininks who basically ordered it. The collapse against TT gave them the excuse to get rid of a coach many felt had gotten complacent, settled for mediocrity, and was less than a people person. I think Maturi has been a loyal soldier and protected the people above him who also had at least a hand in the decision to fire Mason.
-He obviously made the wrong choice in Brewster but look at the timing. Who was really available and how much were we willing to pay? Do you settle for a middling candidate or do you take a chance? I have no problem with going for a gamble. Only wish he had calculated the odds better.
-The whole Munson fiasco is his second blunder and I find that one hard to defend. Only thing I can say is it was astounding how quickly the players seemed to quit and Munson seemed so helpless. I think the the whole Humphries experience and how he dealt with Hargrove really undermined Munson. And, no matter how people want to bash Maturi, he did end up with Tubby.
-Williams lawsuit? Sorry, completely with Maturi on this one. Tubby was less than impressive on the stand. Evasive even. One of Maturi's main jobs is to protect the U. Jimmy Williams was connected to some of the shabbier dealings in Gopher athletic history. I've been a fan through all of the major scandals and pretty much support anyone working to protect us from another one.
-So obviously I think Maturi did absolutely the right thing with both White and Mbakwe. The U was protected and both players ended up where they belong. The critics keep blaming Maturi for how drawn out things were, but they conveniently ignore the role the two players had in drawing things out. One of them was no victim at all, and the other a victim of circumstance, not Maturi.
-What the hell is he supposed to say when asked about Tubby? On one hand, he's criticized for being evasive; on the other hand, he's ripped for being honest.
-I wish the extension and practice facility were realities. They aren't. It takes two to agree on the contract. Do you happen to know what Tubby's position is? New football stadium and a baseball stadium have probably dried up some of the money. The state is slightly short of money and the U has taken big cuts. You are a critic of Maturi over two money issues without even acknowledging this financial climate. And despite all this, Tubby seems content and is still here. Just because you have severe anxiety issues with this, is hardly all Maturi's problem.
-The leak about Brewster? Come on, you're only trying to make your list longer and more persuasive. The guy was dead man walking and everyone was working on getting the firing. What the hell is Maturi supposed to do? Put a wire tap on everyone's phone? Besides, he's more than made up for that leak with the lid on this hiring. (Hope to hell he has, anyway, and no news isn't a bad sign.)
-You love to call him dithering Joel, but, really, he's also shown some balls at times and stuck to his guns or has acted decisively. Williams, Brewster hire, White, Mbakwe, and the Tubby hire were all examples of that.

Do I think he's the greatest AD ever? No. Do I also think he takes an unfair amount of heat? Yes. I think he is too open at times and says things before he really thinks, but that's hardly a capital crime. What really is hilarious are people who define his management style or decide he's not really head AD material. They have no frickin' idea of what his job entails and how many different entities he has to please.

To the original points of the good Maturi has done, I'd like to add the blending of the two departments. Following Voelz, dealing with her bitter supporters, and cleaning up her mess was one hell of a minefield to navigate. Maturi did a damn good job of it and it can't be understated how important that has been.

 

[GopherMike]

That is a well thought out response Mulligan. I agree with you. I forgot to point out in my original e-mail that Joel was instrumental with Getting the stadium built. It doesn't happen without his fundraising skills.

The guy is not perfect. I'm sure he would tell you that there are things he would like to go back and change if he could. It is also clear to see the passion he has for this program and U of M athletics. Let's just see what happens in the next day or two.

 

[GoodviewGopher]

Ask the Softball people

Why Maturi was forced to go to his seventh pick for softball coach.

Ask the womens BB people why Maturi extended Borton.

I have met Maturi several times and I must tell you that shaking hands with him is an unsettling experience. He never looks anybody in the eye. He is always looking elsewhere like you are not worthy of his time. Not just unsettling but kind of creepy.

I am hoping that he hits a homerun with the new FB coach and we can all get behind his selection.
I am guessing that by this time tomorrow we will know this search turned out. Lets hope for the best.

 

[ShushPush]

Under Maturi's "leadership" the mens hockey team has gone from one of the top three programs in the country to one that is now not even one of the top three in the state!

Well, St. Cloud State, Mankato, Bemidji are all recent additions to the state as far as D1 programs. That has spread the talent a little further and made it harder to keep the U the main focus. Don't we have 5 D1 college hockey programs in the state! Can't think of another with as many. Michigan?

 

[knuckles]

--Maturi has been in his job for 8 and a half years. His flagship programs are mediocre at best. The mediocrity is his because he has either installed it or overseen its development.
--Hard to understand why anyone lets him off the hook. He has the responsibility and the authority for the success of his operations, and that success is nowhere in evidence. Examine the performance of his revenue drivers--football, basketball, hockey--and there is no rational way to conclude that the athletic director has succeeded. Based on 8 and a half years worth of data, it is unreasonable to expect him to succeed in the future.
--His basketball program is in middle of the conference. It looks good now only because it was so horrible a few years ago.
--His football program can't fill a 50k seat stadium in its second year.
--His hockey program should be the best in the nation, but it isn't even close anymore.
--Wrestling, volleyball, track and field etc can't replace football, basketball and hockey in any reality-based assessment of success.
--If GPA of student athletes is that important, then Gameday would feature the MIT football team (1-8 this year) every few weeks.
--Running clean programs isn't the goal, it is the minimum, the entry price.
--Minnesota needs a winner in the AD's job, not a well meaning participant.
--If Petersen or Harbaugh show up tomorrow, naturally I take everything back.

 

[Jessica Alba Fan Club]

Well, St. Cloud State, Mankato, Bemidji are all recent additions to the state as far as D1 programs. That has spread the talent a little further and made it harder to keep the U the main focus.

Good point. But I don't think kids playing hockey in the youth ranks dream about playing for Mankato or Bemidji one day, most still dream about playing for the U.