As discussed elsewhere in this forum, Schafer's post game comments after the surprising Harvard loss were inappropriate and reflect poorly on the University and the hockey program. Accordingly, I think the time has come for a coaching change. Schafer is a good coach, but not a great coach. He's delivered a lot of bridesmaids, but never the bride. With all the talent he's had over the years, he's the only constant. It's time to move on.
Many on this board are quick to come to Schafer's defense. I admire your loyalty, but I think your trust in Coach Schafer is misguided. Some defend Schafer because the Ivy League restrictions make success prohibitive. This is nothing more than a red herring. He's coached tremendous talent (8 former Cornellians presently on NHL rosters), and had no problem recruiting, matriculating and (in some instances) graduating these young men. The talent is there, but Schafer doesn't know how to effectively coach this talent.
Others on this board will defend Schafer's "successes." I won't deny he's had his moments and a decent overall record, but I wouldn't call his coaching career a success. Success only comes in winning the NCAA championship – a feat Schafer has failed to accomplish. Do you think Mike Krzyzewski is content winning an ACC tournament, or making a Final Four appearance? This year, the team is particularly mediocre. They are a poorly coached, undisciplined team that can't even beat a woeful Harvard squad in their own barn. Schafer's response to this loss was to blame the fans.
Schafer ought to be ashamed of himself, and out of respect to the hockey program and the Cornell community, he should tender his resignation. Short of resignation, I call on the University's Administration to replace him with a coach whose priority is to ensure Cornell hockey is a perennial favorite for an NCAA title. As students, alumni, townies, boosters and supporters of the program, we do a disservice by blindly placing our trust in Mike Schafer – a coach who is content in falling short of a national title, year in and year out. I welcome a changing of the guard, and know others agree.
Many on this board are quick to come to Schafer's defense. I admire your loyalty, but I think your trust in Coach Schafer is misguided. Some defend Schafer because the Ivy League restrictions make success prohibitive. This is nothing more than a red herring. He's coached tremendous talent (8 former Cornellians presently on NHL rosters), and had no problem recruiting, matriculating and (in some instances) graduating these young men. The talent is there, but Schafer doesn't know how to effectively coach this talent.
Others on this board will defend Schafer's "successes." I won't deny he's had his moments and a decent overall record, but I wouldn't call his coaching career a success. Success only comes in winning the NCAA championship – a feat Schafer has failed to accomplish. Do you think Mike Krzyzewski is content winning an ACC tournament, or making a Final Four appearance? This year, the team is particularly mediocre. They are a poorly coached, undisciplined team that can't even beat a woeful Harvard squad in their own barn. Schafer's response to this loss was to blame the fans.
Schafer ought to be ashamed of himself, and out of respect to the hockey program and the Cornell community, he should tender his resignation. Short of resignation, I call on the University's Administration to replace him with a coach whose priority is to ensure Cornell hockey is a perennial favorite for an NCAA title. As students, alumni, townies, boosters and supporters of the program, we do a disservice by blindly placing our trust in Mike Schafer – a coach who is content in falling short of a national title, year in and year out. I welcome a changing of the guard, and know others agree.
