Duluth East's Coach Randolph fired

Skyliner
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Dec 22, 2002 1:46 pm

Duluth East's Coach Randolph fired

Post by Skyliner » Thu Apr 24, 2003 8:52 pm

No details yet, but the local TV reporter was at my son's hockey game tonight asking players from East what their opinion was on the firing of Coach Randolph.<br><br>This is the first I have heard about it, but will be watching the news tonight to see if they have more information. <br><br> <p></p><i></i>

Sparlimb
Posts: 2491
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2002 7:11 am

Re: Duluth East's Coach Randolph fired

Post by Sparlimb » Fri Apr 25, 2003 8:25 am

It is covered in the Pioneer Press today. They asked himt o retire and he said no, so they gave him the boot. Obviously there is more to this story then we know, because no one just fires a coach with the storied history that Randolph has produced. Can you shed any light on what the deal was Lee? I'm guessing Coach Randolph hit an administrator he never got along with and just lost the power struggle. I wonder how long it will be before he takes over another team and all the East kids transfer there. Unbelievable... <p></p><i></i>

Chris J
Posts: 66
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2002 9:28 am

Duluth Newspaper Link

Post by Chris J » Fri Apr 25, 2003 8:26 am

Here you go:<br><br><!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/dulut ... 713496.htm" target="top">www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthtribun ... <!--EZCODE LINK END--> <p></p><i></i>

biskethacker
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2003 8:30 am

Randolph

Post by biskethacker » Fri Apr 25, 2003 8:30 am

does cutting the current East principal's son back in the mid 90's constitute a hit? <p></p><i></i>

Eddie Shore
Posts: 240
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2003 8:38 am

Re: Duluth East's Coach Randolph fired

Post by Eddie Shore » Fri Apr 25, 2003 8:38 am

Watch for former UMD ass't coach Jim Knapp to get the job. His wife is the principal at Duluth East.<br><br>Coach Randolph brought a great deal of success to the East program. I don't know what the details are up in Duluth, but I can guarantee overzealous hockey parents (upset that little Billy didn't make the squad, etc.) had something to do with it. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... s/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br> <p></p><i></i>

east hockey
Site Admin
Posts: 7270
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2002 8:33 pm
Location: Proctor, MN

Re: Duluth East's Coach Randolph fired

Post by east hockey » Fri Apr 25, 2003 9:19 am

I had heard that something was going to happen during the off-season but this still took me a bit by surprise.<br><br>Sparlimb, all I have is heresay at this point. You can bet that there was something fairly serious to get Randolph fired. Or a parent or parents (of cut players perhaps?) found something on him. The "wreath money" thing was brought up. Would that, if true, be serious enough to hang Randolph? School officials are being <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>very</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> tight-lipped about it.<br><br>I didn't know about Mike cutting Knapp's son in the past. Knapp take over? I've heard he isn't interested but again, that's just heresay. I would guess that won't happen.<br><br>Hmmm....looks like I have more questions than answers.<br><br>It's the end of an era, no doubt, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. Mike is one of those "polarizing" kind of guys. You either detested him or thought he was the greatest thing since Toe Blake...heh heh. Guess I'm one of the few who fell in the middle.<br><br>Todd Wentworth would be my choice to move up. Johnson and Trachsel appear to be out given their statement that they won't return without Randolph. A lot of names will be tossed about in the next few days. (funniest one I heard yet was Bill Watson)<br><br>Also heard this morning that Mike intends to fight the firing. Don't know how this can be done. Sue the school? <br>Yeah, suuuure.<br><br>They look to have a very strong team this coming year. They need a good coach to lead them. Will they get one? <br>I hope so but I'm skeptical.<br><br>Lee <p></p><i></i>

Rudy19
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Feb 18, 2003 4:57 pm

East

Post by Rudy19 » Fri Apr 25, 2003 9:35 am

Knapp finally settles her personal issue with Randolph. Every since her son was cut she had it in for him and once she became principal you knew something was going to happen. That and a few disgruntled parents of kids that were cut I'm sure. This is a huge mistake and from what I hear the majority of the community feels the same way. I'm kind of hearing all of this info through the rumor mill but, I've heard that there has been such an overwhelming response of people upset with this decision that it could be overturned, if that's possible. There was a crowd of people outside Knapp's office the other day and supposedley a lot of calls have been coming into the school. Like I said before, this is a huge mistake. It's sad for high school hockey, the Duluth East program, and the players themselves to lose one of the best coaching staffs in the state. <p></p><i></i>

Rudy19
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Feb 18, 2003 4:57 pm

East

Post by Rudy19 » Fri Apr 25, 2003 10:17 am

Here's another article from DNT:<br> <br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/dulut ... <!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--> <p></p><i></i>

the voice of reason
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2003 10:31 am

Re: East

Post by the voice of reason » Fri Apr 25, 2003 10:31 am

Everybody who thinks that this has anything to do with<br>Laurie Knapp's son BJ being cut or Jim Knapp getting the job is sorely mistaken. I happen to know the Knapp's on a personal level and they are bigger people than that. Besides, that happened 7 years ago and BJ went on to have a pretty good career at Hermantown anyway. Do you really think that these people have nothing better to do with their lives? Mrs. Knapp is simply doing what's in the best intertest for her student and her school. Whatever those reasons are will eventually surface, but I can tell you that it goes beyond what most people will initially speculate. <p></p><i></i>

OleGreenway
Posts: 14
Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2002 6:49 am

Re: Duluth East's Coach Randolph fired

Post by OleGreenway » Fri Apr 25, 2003 10:41 am

This is typical "Duluth" or is it hockey parents in general? The parents and administrators are doing what no team in Section 7AA has been able to do, make East a beatable team at tournament time. I have no doubt that East will not be better with whomever is the new coach, but I have a strong feeling that they will be worse. This firing is a travesty. I would have predicted East as one of the favorites for next year's state tournament. My prediction now is that Grand Rapids will make their first appearance in many a year. This situation is similar to Jefferson losing Saterdalen. Jefferson did not play up to its potential and I doubt East will either. Those two coaches had a way of motivating their players to achieve the highest level of play possible. This year's East team was barely an average AA school at the beginning of the year. By tournament time, they were as good as any team at the state tournament. A new coach may bring in a new system that may or may not be accepted and/or learned by the players. There are many unanswered questions for East's 2002-2003 season. <p></p><i></i>

the voice of reason
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2003 10:31 am

Re: Duluth East's Coach Randolph fired

Post by the voice of reason » Fri Apr 25, 2003 10:56 am

Well, you make some interesting points there OleGreenway. I can tell you this, the fate of the East program is all dependent on who takes over. My recommendation would have to be Todd Wentworth. Wentworth has been the major youth contributor to Randolph's program for more than the last 15 years. Most recently he joined the JV staff at East a couple years ago, and if my memory serves me correctly, he hasn't lost more than a handful of games as the JV coach. I heard that Wentworth/Roman only had one loss this year with the JV, and that was to Moorhead - arguably the best JV program in the state. Who more fitting than someone who's been around the program for the same amount of time as Randolph? Anybody else would be a mistake in my opinion. <p></p><i></i>

biskethacker
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2003 8:30 am

Randolph

Post by biskethacker » Fri Apr 25, 2003 11:44 am

Do Really think Randolph is going to go down with out a fight? The Duluth School board can over rule the decision.<br><br>They may over rule General Manager Knapp and Team Owner Almanza <p></p><i></i>

dumpitin
Posts: 6
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2003 11:49 am

Randolph and Next Coach

Post by dumpitin » Fri Apr 25, 2003 11:49 am

randolph hung himself, but the administration gave him the rope. By allowing the superior hounds to pull out of local competition so they could play the "best" they had to travel the state. This cost money that the school board did not entirely fund. The coaches raised the difference--and then some??<br><br>Word is that coaching jobs go to school district employees first if qualified. I hear Jack Shearer, former hounds girls coach, is the leading candidate. <p></p><i></i>

JLS 81
Posts: 386
Joined: Fri Nov 08, 2002 3:08 pm

Re: Randolph and Next Coach

Post by JLS 81 » Fri Apr 25, 2003 12:25 pm

If on the surface this is all there is to the story than the decision makers in Duluth have some serious rocks in their head. Now I do not know Coach Randolph but to me he is "old school" and damned if sports do not need guys like that around to continue churning out quality kids in a quality program. Saterdalen, Randolph types are getting hard to find, replaced by the "PC" coach who is just milk toast enough to keep all the parents happy at the demise of a championship program. If the story stands and a "parental committee" saw to it the Coach Randolph was released well than lets just say we will see Duluth hockey diminish greatly. Outside a potential scenario where Coach Randolph turned ballistic and "Woody Haysed" a kid I cannot fathom why "Duluth powers" would cut the coach. Sad story if there are no other serious issues with Coach Randolph. <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub33.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUser ... =jls81>JLS 81</A> at: 4/25/03 1:09:33 pm<br></i>

blackeye
Posts: 85
Joined: Tue Dec 31, 2002 3:59 pm

Great post

Post by blackeye » Fri Apr 25, 2003 1:16 pm

JLS<br><br>Great Post!!!!<br><br>Count me in the conspiricy crowd, I would be willing to put some good money on the line that Knapper will be in the mix when the new staff comes on line. Maybe not the head guy, but he will be in the mix.<br><br>Difficult to understand, 6 weeks ago Mike had his team at the X????? <p></p><i></i>

goalie91
Posts: 29
Joined: Tue Dec 24, 2002 2:06 pm

Randolph

Post by goalie91 » Fri Apr 25, 2003 1:19 pm

I heard he was fired because he wasn't good with the kids.Which is totally not true. All the players except one goalie who didn't play much are pissed off. Can't blame them, they lose one of the top coaches in the state and then hear the name Jack Shearer as a replacement.Looks like East is going to soon be like the other Duluth schools, a below average class A team. At least Duluth Marshall will be happy.They will start to get all the best kids from the area now. A sad day for the last AA school in Duluth.<br> <p></p><i></i>

Cfour
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2003 2:36 pm

...

Post by Cfour » Fri Apr 25, 2003 2:36 pm

I think this is just much too shady, and I've already heard lots of info about a significantly large amount of people that are upset and sending in emails to the superintendent. I just can't help but think that Knapp was looking for a reason to fire him ever since she took over, and that reason was behind a group of 2 or so disgruntled parents. I'm sorry, but just because a kid doesn't make a team, it can't be beacuse he isn't good enough.. it has to be for some other reason. Why can't people understand that in a program the caliber of East, people HAVE to get cut.. there is only so many people that can be rostered. Things don't always work out the way we want them to, and we have to learn to deal with that. I hope there is some way this decision can be overturned, because there is already talk of a few kids hinting at the possibility of leaving the East program. <p></p><i></i>

Cfour
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2003 2:36 pm

Wentworth

Post by Cfour » Fri Apr 25, 2003 2:41 pm

By the way, even though Wentworth is a great coach and probably would prove to be a good replacement, I'm not so sure he wants to take on a full head coaching job at this point. From what I understand, he left the Bantam A program because there was a lot of time involved in everything from booking ice times, to rostering players, to booking hotels, etc... When he became the JV coach, he was able to just come and run practicing and coach during the games as he saw fit. So I don't think the question is, "Is Wentworth qualified?" I would definately say he is, but just wonder if he wants to take over a job as big as this... <p></p><i></i>

JLS 81
Posts: 386
Joined: Fri Nov 08, 2002 3:08 pm

Time For Some Letters

Post by JLS 81 » Fri Apr 25, 2003 8:04 pm

If any of the Duluth East faithful can provide email or snail mail addresses for the powers that be in Duluth that would be great (schoold board, principals, superindentants). I have a gut feeling that those that wanted Randolph out are working in the dark but in time they will have light shed on them for this bonehead move. F###ing whiney parents! Again the silent 1- 3% are shafting yet another great program. <p></p><i></i>

east hockey
Site Admin
Posts: 7270
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2002 8:33 pm
Location: Proctor, MN

Re: Time For Some Letters

Post by east hockey » Fri Apr 25, 2003 8:20 pm

FWIW, from the East website at <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.duluth.k12.mn.us/east/index. ... <!--EZCODE LINK END--><br><br>Laurie Knapp's email address is:<br><br> laurie.knapp@duluth.k12.mn.us <p></p><i></i>

Rudy19
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Feb 18, 2003 4:57 pm

East

Post by Rudy19 » Fri Apr 25, 2003 9:17 pm

I have been encouraged by a few Duluth parents to write to the school board and I encourage anyone else who feels obligated to do the same. They are the people who make the ultimate decision. The Superintendent is Julio Almanzia and his e-mail is jalman@duluth.k12.mn.us. An overwhelming amount of people have responded to this decision and it will be interesting to see what comes out of this. <p></p><i></i>

Cfour
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2003 2:36 pm

Superintendent

Post by Cfour » Fri Apr 25, 2003 9:47 pm

The e-mail address of Superindendent Julio Amanz is <!--EZCODE MAIL START--><a href="mailto:julio.almanza@duluth.k12.mn.us"> julio.almanza@duluth.k12.mn.us</a><!--EZCODE MAIL END--><br><br>This would be another person to write to to express your grief with this decision. <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub33.ezboard.com/bmnhs.showUser ... s>Cfour</A> at: 4/28/03 6:01:48 pm<br></i>

doeislandguy
Posts: 22
Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2003 1:16 pm

Julio Almanza

Post by doeislandguy » Sat Apr 26, 2003 2:17 pm

Phone - 218-723-4100 x.100<br><br>Also Mike Miernicki - East A.D. - 218-728-7426 x.144<br><br>This is a disgrace! You might as well wipe Duluth off the hockey map. Laurie Knapp - you put the A$$ in class. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :D --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/im ... /happy.gif ALT=":D"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

Turnberry
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2003 12:32 pm

Mike Randolph

Post by Turnberry » Sat Apr 26, 2003 6:32 pm

doeislandguy,<br>You are right on! This is a disgrace because Mike was a class coach who did a hel- of allot in his tenure at East. He always had his team under control and they played with CLASS.<br>doeislandguy, I seem to agree with you on many issues. Have we ever met??????<br>Heights Mafia <p></p><i></i>

east hockey
Site Admin
Posts: 7270
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2002 8:33 pm
Location: Proctor, MN

Ciskie & Gilbert

Post by east hockey » Sat Apr 26, 2003 7:35 pm

I had the chance to listen to some of the Port Sports show on 710AM this morning. Did anyone else listen to it?<br><br>Ciskie and Gilbert, and every single caller I heard, were in agreement that Randolph's firing was, in general, a disgrace.<br><br>The more I hear, the more it seems one of two things happened:<br><br>a) Mike did something really brutal and the District can't comment on it publically for legal reasons.<br><br>b) Mike was set up.<br><br>I believe the latter happened. Now, what is of great interest to me is that, at this point, those critical of Randolph are <!--EZCODE BOLD START--><strong>nowhere</strong><!--EZCODE BOLD END--> to be seen. I mean, they're doing a Claude Raines (invisible). What's up with that?<br><br>The one caller who said she called principal Knapp and got stonewalled/ignored was interesting to listen to. She basically cast Knapp in a very negative light. Probably deservedly so, in my opinion.<br><br>Also, in the Sound Off section of the Duluth News-Tribby sports section this morning, there were three letters in support of Mike; two from former players (Spehar and Licari). The Ashland youth coach who wrote said Mike would be welcomed elsewhere. You bet your a** he would be. There are a ton of h.s. programs that would snatch Mike up in an instant. East's problem is twofold:<br><br>a) myopia<br>b) idiocy<br><br>Bout sums it up, huh? The more I hear, the more I'm turned off to the East and Duluth School Board administration. Mike doesn't need East. He could (and maybe should) go elsewhere. <br><br>The other thing that strikes me is the stupidity of some of the whiney-arsed parents in East Duluth. Most of them think their kid is Gretzky, for crissakes. So they're pissed that their Little Gretzky got cut or reverted to the third or fourth line.<br><br>Another question for anyone who heard today's show; the caller who said he was a late season addition, was that Morrie Hennessey? Sounded like it to me.<br><br>What a farging sham this appears to be.<br><br>Lee <p></p><i></i>

Locked