How Does Yale Spell "Relief"?

[Trotsky]

http://insidecollegehockey.com/INCH.htm

Yale has relieved Tim Taylor of his head coaching duties, ending the legendary coach's 28-year tenure behind the Bulldogs' bench.

"Tim Taylor has been an exceptional coach, mentor and ambassador of Yale hockey as well as all of amateur hockey for 30 years," said athletic director Tom Beckett in a statement from the school. "We are extremely respectful and appreciative of his service to Yale and his dedication and loyalty to the men of Yale hockey. We believe, however, that now is the time to provide new leadership for the next generation of student-athletes in this program."

Yale will offer Taylor reassignment within the athletic department. No announcement was made regarding the search for a successor.

Taylor's 28th and final Yale season ended with a 10-20-3 record and an ECAC Hockey League quarterfinal playoff loss at Dartmouth on March 11. The Bulldogs finished 11th in the conference this year and have had only one winning season since 1997-98.

Taylor's record with the Bulldogs finished at 337-433-55. He coached all six of the school's Hobey Baker Award finalists and is in his 30th year at the school. He took two leaves of absence to coach U.S. Olympic Teams.

Taylor, who coached more games (825) than anyone in the history of the ECAC Hockey League, has more victories than any Yale hockey mentor. His tenure at Ingalls Rink included one conference title, 19 ECACHL playoff appearances and a pair of 20-win seasons. Taylor was the national coach of the year in 1997-98 when the Bulldogs captured the conference regular-season title and played in the NCAA Tournament. He has been conference coach of the year three times and has also won six Ivy League championships.

Taylor's last victory, a 3-2 win over Union on March 4, happened to be the longest (141:35) game in the history of NCAA men's hockey. That win sealed the two-game sweep in the first round of the conference playoffs and sent the Elis into the quarterfinals against ECACHL regular-season champion Dartmouth.

[RichH]

[quote Trotsky]http://insidecollegehockey.com/INCH.htm

Yale has relieved Tim Taylor of his head coaching duties, ending the legendary coach's 28-year tenure behind the Bulldogs' bench.[/quote]

HOLY CRAP!!!  Didn't see that coming.  Taylor was the ECAC's less successful version of Jack Parker.  I thought he'd have that job as long as he wanted it.  Big big news.

I wonder if they offered him a chance to "retire?"

[Trotsky]

[quote RichH]Taylor was the ECAC's less successful version of Jack Parker.[/quote]

That's putting it mildly.  He coached 18 losing teams.  That's Connie Mack territory.

[RichH]

[quote Trotsky][quote RichH]Taylor was the ECAC's less successful version of Jack Parker.[/quote]

That's putting it mildly.  He coached 18 losing teams.  That's Connie Mack territory.[/quote]

True enough.  An elder statesman for the league, however, and a well respected personality.  I believe that leaves Coach Schafer #2 in terms of league coaching seniority (with one team), after Joe Marsh.

Someone up at Yale has a tail!  Or at least a vision that hockey could be high-profile enough in New Haven to bring in some $ with some actual success.  I think this is a good thing for the league.

Edit:  Nope.  Don Vaughan has been at Colgate since '92-'93.  My bad.

[Trotsky]

Schafer is now fourth among active ECAC coaches in wins:

379 Joe Marsh, SLU (21 seasons)
226 Bob Gaudet, Dartmouth (18)
224 Don Vaughn, Colgate (13)
221 Mike Schafer, Cornell (11)

[Trotsky]

Here was the comparison chart at the beginning of this season: http://www.tbrw.info/seasons/2006/features/coaches2006.html

[jeh25]

[quote RichH][quote Trotsky][quote RichH]Taylor was the ECAC's less successful version of Jack Parker.[/quote]

That's putting it mildly.  He coached 18 losing teams.  That's Connie Mack territory.[/quote]

Someone up at Yale has a tail!  Or at least a vision that hockey could be high-profile enough in New Haven to bring in some $ with some actual success.  I think this is a good thing for the league.[/quote]

Well, the ex-NHL alum route clearly worked for Harvard.

You think the old boys at Yale might want to give their very own ex-NYR player "volunteer coach" a shot at the head coaching slot? Assuming of course, that he graduates first

[KeithK]

[quote Trotsky][quote RichH]Taylor was the ECAC's less successful version of Jack Parker.[/quote]

That's putting it mildly.  He coached 18 losing teams.  That's Connie Mack territory.[/quote]Except that Connie Mack intentionally tore apart his winning teams.  There was a great quote attributed to him to the effect that he wanted a team that was good enough to stay in the pennant race for most of the year but would fade at the end.  That way the fans stay interested, but you never have to pay your players for their success.

[ithacat]

I'd love to see Casey Jones get a shot. I don't know whether there's any interest, but I'd like to see what he could do with his own program.

[redhair34]

Great "commentary" from Adam...
http://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2006/03/28_commentary.php

[DeltaOne81]

Hmmm, interesting. Not sure I agree, but then again I'll admit that Adam is certainly much more of a hockey expert than I am.

Basically it seems to come down to the fact that Yales failures to really compete were not Tim's fault, but rather due to the situation of the institution itself. Its  admission requirements are among the highest in the nation, in a peer group with pretty much only Princeton and Harvard (among hockey schools).

Fair enough, I can agree with that. But then how do you explain Harvards significantly greater achievements. Adam's answer, tradition and Boston. I dunno if I buy that. Traditions are built, not there by magic, and Taylor had a good half to third of a lifetime to build one and couldn't. Boston, well, who knows. Adam may be right, or maybe it had more to do with Taylor and administration committment. And perhaps we'll begin to find out.

[billhoward]

[quote DeltaOne81]Hmmm, interesting. Not sure I agree, but then again I'll admit that Adam is certainly much more of a hockey expert than I am.

Basically it seems to come down to the fact that Yales failures to really compete were not Tim's fault, but rather due to the situation of the institution itself. Its  admission requirements are among the highest in the nation, in a peer group with pretty much only Princeton and Harvard (among hockey schools).

Fair enough, I can agree with that. But then how do you explain Harvards significantly greater achievements. Adam's answer, tradition and Boston. I dunno if I buy that. Traditions are built, not there by magic, and Taylor had a good half to third of a lifetime to build one and couldn't. Boston, well, who knows. Adam may be right, or maybe it had more to do with Taylor and administration committment. And perhaps we'll begin to find out.[/quote]

Yale has tough admissions requirements and that puts it in the same league as Princeton and probably Harvard. Some say Harvard is more accommodating of a greater number of athletes who're qualified to do Harvard work but not in the top tier of applicants. In addition to the important Harvard-is-in-Boston advantage, only Harvard is Harvard -- if you're going to shoot for an Ivy League school with max recognition, that's Harvard, and every other Ivy School no matter how good is in second place.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

[quote KeithK][quote Trotsky][quote RichH]Taylor was the ECAC's less successful version of Jack Parker.[/quote]

That's putting it mildly.  He coached 18 losing teams.  That's Connie Mack territory.[/quote]Except that Connie Mack intentionally tore apart his winning teams.  There was a great quote attributed to him to the effect that he wanted a team that was good enough to stay in the pennant race for most of the year but would fade at the end.  That way the fans stay interested, but you never have to pay your players for their success.[/quote]

Seems nothing has changed in Philly, as far as baseball is concerned.  ::rolleyes::

[RatushnyFan]

I second the Casey Jones suggestion, although I wonder if OSU's disappointing season will impact his chances.  We'll see Casey in Ithaca if he sticks with it and waits another 10+ years for Schafer to win a couple of national championships.

I have to admit I was surprised given Yale's record the last 10 seasons or so that Taylor was seemingly never under pressure.  The guy went to one NCAA tourney and won one ECAC title.  For most people, that is not enough over almost 30 years.  Nonetheless, the man had the respect of his peers and the Yale administration (until the end) and I hope he stays at Yale in some capacity.  I wonder what the players think of this.

[Trotsky]

[quote RatushnyFan]I second the Casey Jones suggestion, although I wonder if OSU's disappointing season will impact his chances.  We'll see Casey in Ithaca if he sticks with it and waits another 10+ years for Schafer to win a couple of national championships.[/quote]

Casey can hone his coaching skills at Yale while Mike wins the titles for Cornell.  Best of both worlds. :-)