Mr. Morris goes to Vancouver

[Section A]

"Their Coach beats them" - clap-clap-clapclapclap....

http://uscho.com/news/2003/02/11_006155.php

[ugarte]

He certainly isn't as threatening as Tony Twist.  

Well, maybe to a 17 year old, he is, but he wont be in Vancouver . . .

[adamw]

Correction on that story ... he's replacing Peter Twist, not Tony.

[Section A]

Makes you wonder actually...

What does everyone think about the possibility that Schafer will work for an NHL club some day? Has he ever mentioned it as a personal goal?

[Greg Berge]

I was really hoping Morris was joining the staff of the WHL Vancouver Giants (typically 16-20 year olds).  Oh well.  His $10M will go a long way out here in the PNW.

[Give My Regards]

[Q]What does everyone think about the possibility that Schafer will work for an NHL club some day? Has he ever mentioned it as a personal goal?[/Q]

I don't believe he's ever mentioned it publicly, and I wonder if never having played professionally would be considered a detriment by the NHL.  His job security here certainly shouldn't be an issue, and it seems like he and his family are enjoying the Ithaca community and are pretty involved in it.

(cue sky falling in)  However, it wouldn't surprise me if the NHL were a goal of his.  This is an ambitious man we're talking about here.  Again, I've heard nothing about "greener pastures" and I'm obviously hoping for a Jack-Parker-like tenure for Coach Schafer here.

On Morris, I can't tell from the article whether this is a permanent job for him.  I hope it is, and I wish him well.  But if it is permanent, what does this do to his lawsuit against Clarkson?  One of the complaints in the original filing was that Clarkson's search process for a new head coach was causing Morris "irreparable harm" and that the "derogatory news accounts" published by Clarkson officials had "poisoned the employment pool."  If he's got a job now (and the pay is decent), his position would seem to be undermined a bit.

[RichS]

It's an interim position from what I know, and I don't think it does anything  to undermine his suit since crawford is an old friend of Mark's.

I think the fact that he hasn't found anything else to date speaks to his claim.  I know at least most of you cornell guys dislike the guy, but he is a teriffic coach and knows the game extremely well...he should have had more opportunities by now.

Greg, nice humor...keep it, eh?  ::rolleyes::

[CowbellGuy]

RichS wrote:

I know at least most of you cornell guys dislike the guy

Once a jackass, always a jackass...

Ben '03:
[Q]As much as they are a bitter rival, you hate to see something like that happen to anyone. I hope for the sake of Coach Morris, the Clarkson hockey team, and college hockey the incident is not what Al described.[/Q]

Adam '01:
[Q]A sad story. I think we should sign him to our staff.[/Q]

Felix Rodriguez:
[Q]I was hearing some Clarkson buddies wanting Morris out. Do they even realize what he's accomplished? Its not enough to lead the league in win percentage throughout his entire career? 3 ECAC championships in 10 years is not good enough? What the hell![/Q]

bigred apple:
[Q]I feel bad for Coach Morris, because this appears to have been an isolated incident over the course of an admirably successful career, and the punishment therefore seems unduly harsh.[/Q]

Keith K '93:
[Q]I hope Morris can land another coaching job at some point. He may not be the nicest guy (from stories - never met him) but he's certainly a quality coach[/Q]

And yes, even Al:
[Q]Morris was a very successful coach, and I've always said that, most often in defense of him on the "old" Round Table. I hope he lands on his feet.[/Q]

In summary, blow it out your ass, Rich.

[RichS]

Thanks CG.

I'll rephrase just to suit you.

There's been a lot of negative stuff written about Morris on this forum over the years...instead of..."I know at least most of you cornell guys dislike the guy".

And that's the truth.

I love your approach to disagreeing with people...have a nice day.

[CUlater \'89]

Jack Parker, of course, flirted with the NHL many times over the years.  I may be misremembering, but I think he was even named Bruins coach at one point, until he changed his mind almost immediately.

Notwithstanding whether Schafer is ambitious beyond Cornell, jumping to the NHL is a big change, particularly travel-wise.

And although there are some ex-college coaches in the NHL assistant coaching ranks now (McCutcheon, Raeder, others?), I don't think college coaching is a traditional breeding ground for NHL head coaches (Harkness and Brooks (and others?) excepted).  Schafer would likely have to pay his dues all over again as an AHL head coach or NHL assistant, to start.

[Al DeFlorio]

Well, Ned certainly wasn't a success in the NHL.  

I think Wisconsin's Badger Bob Johnson went on to the NHL.  Providence's Lou Lamoriello is now the Devils' GM or president, and he may have coached in the NHL along the way.  It's not as common as in b-ball or football.

With the NHL season seemingly year-round now, it's not a good job for raising a family.

[CUlater \'89]

Thanks Al, I had forgotten about Bob "It's a great day for hockey" Johnson.  As for Lamoriello, I didn't think he coached in the NHL -- just went from one administrative position (at PC) to another (with the Devils).

[Al DeFlorio]

I think you're right about Lou L.  He may have been AD at Providence when he jumped.

[ugarte]

[q]It's an interim position from what I know, and I don't think it does anything to undermine his suit since crawford is an old friend of Mark's.[/q]
You need slightly more schooling on mitigation of damages and evidence.  If Morris is working for the Canucks as a hockey coach, he is not "unemployable."  And if he has friends in the hockey world that are willing to hire him, his reputation has not been so tarnished that he can't work again.  He can't be surprised that he didn't get another college coaching job - he was fired in the middle of the season.

But I wouldn't worry too much about that - these cases are designed to settle, not go to trial. See Knight v. Indiana.  And, wait and see, Richardson v. Arkansas will settle also.


Edit:  Beeeej - do you really think a disclaimer is necessary?  I am a lawyer, but this isn't even legal advice; it is just bull%^$ about the rough contours of employment law. Ok, then, DISCLAIM DISCLAIM DISCLAIM

[Beeeej]

[q]On Morris, I can't tell from the article whether this is a permanent job for him. I hope it is, and I wish him well. But if it is permanent, what does this do to his lawsuit against Clarkson? One of the complaints in the original filing was that Clarkson's search process for a new head coach was causing Morris "irreparable harm" and that the "derogatory news accounts" published by Clarkson officials had "poisoned the employment pool." If he's got a job now (and the pay is decent), his position would seem to be undermined a bit.[/q]

Actually, it may help his case, not hurt it, as far as financial damages.  When someone is "wrongfully terminated," the plaintiff actually has a legal duty to try to mitigate the damages by seeking, and accepting, if offered, other employment that is in its nature and its compensation as close as possible to what he lost.  If he does not, the defendant employer - even if it loses the case - will not be held liable for the full damages as far as loss of salary.

You are right, however, in the sense that it may hurt his claim that his reputation has been damaged to the point where he can't find a job in hockey.  But that's a separate claim from the wrongful termination.

Disclaimer:  I'm a law student, not a lawyer.  The above should not be construed.

Beeeej