Mounds View is likely looking for a new coach

[ottomatic live the dream]

It appears as though a belligerent minority of parents in Mounds View have led to the non-renewal of Nick Nitti's contract. This is the LAST thing that they need after a revolving door at head coach for the past 20+ years. Their on-ice improvement has been significant, and off-ice has been incredible. If you expect a rapid turnaround in the Suburban East conference, AND the toughest section in the state, you are ignorant and looking through rose-colored glasses. Nick has done an outstanding job, I've covered many of his games for the past three years, and I sincerely hope that he gets to keep a job that he deserves. <p></p><i></i>

[husky5]

OTTOmatic,<br><br> Unbelieveable!!! Parents just need to take a pill in that district. Nick it a great guy and a heck of a coach. My guess that Dziedzec or McAlpine(Sorry about the spelling)is who the parents are pushing for, as Dziedzec has been doing the development at the youth level the last couple of years. Mind you, this just a guess if this truely happened. <p></p><i></i>

[ottomatic live the dream]

Dziedzic and Mac are going to be coaches in the MN Elite Fall League. Sometimes that is a pre-cursor to getting a High school job down the road. Again whoever takes the MV job better: 1. Go in with a solid plan and both eyes open and 2. Don't trust anybody. Constantly changing coaches is no way to build a program that is already in a difficult situation in their conference and ESPECIALLY their section! <p></p><i></i>

[Puckguy]

I do not believe that they could do both this season. If one, or both, are appointed at MV, look for them to be replaced at the Elite level. <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

[coachesunion]

Thanks Junior for alerting the hockey community to this screwjob. The rest of you should quit talking about the next coach and start asking what you can do for the old one. This is going to blow up into a Randolph type situation in a hurry. He wants his job back and is going to fight for it. Athletic Director got weak and superintendint kicked coach Nitti to the curb. Coaches deserve better. I got a freind who's pretty close to the situation. Stay tuned. <p></p><i></i>

[OFFSIDES GUY]

Now I've heard everything. Nitti was the best thing to ever happen at that MV High School in a long time. They wonder why they can't ever take the next step when their disillusional parent's run out great hockey people before their time. Comical. They'll never get it over there. He was a good young coach. They just don't get it. Those parent's should be ashamed of themselves. Doesn't say a lot for the administration at MV does it?? <p></p><i></i>

[BSIII]

If you would like to see community support for a coach, please watch the Moundsview School Board Meeting that met on July 12th. 80 people showed on 8 hours notice - Eight empassioned speakers addressed the school board. This is far from over. Just so you know that I don't hide. I was the first speaker on the open forum. My speech is a matter of public record. We are soliciting support for Nick Nitti, in any way, shape or form. Please access the Moundsview Public School District 621 Web Site for a list of School board members and their contact information. This battle has gone beyond Hockey, Nick Nitti and sports. This confrontation is now about any injustice that is permitted. Nick Nitti has never been given the opportunity to face his accusers. An independant investigation of the MV Hockey Program and Nick Nitti came forth with passing grades for all parties. There is a public outcry, not only in the hockey community, but throughout the sports and coaching community, that we can not allow this treatment of any well-respected coach. Nick, I can assure you that you will not be missed, because you'll be back and soon......... <p></p><i></i>

[cuda701]

I am not going to pretend that I know anything about this situation or Nick because of the area I reside in and the teams I follow. But, I have seen disgruntled parents cause trouble for coaches that are trying to implent discipline and high standards. <br><br>It's a shame! What are they teaching their kids in the long run? Best wishes to Nick. I'll be following this one. <p></p><i></i>

[Jackson]

so do people honestly think he's the reason hockey has been 'good' at MV for the past few years? What about the fact that he stumbled upon the Bostrom boys?<br>Right place, right time. <p></p><i></i>

[BSIII]

It just shows you how little some people know about the game of hockey or any sport for that matter. The Bostrom's are great kids, great hockey players and were raised with substance. They stand up their belief's. They might even use their own names in a forum. If you know so much about hockey, then you must know that only Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky ever turned programs around on the ice. HB did it behind the bench and I know he'd be right here next to Nick.<br> <p></p><i></i>

[coachesunion]

5 years ago Mounds View would have more Chemical violations on Saturday evening than they would score goals that night. He cleaned it up, The kids were lucky they stumbled into him. They were in the right place at the right time. That program will go right back to the crapper. I'll bet they get the 8th seed next year and have to win the pigtail game to get into sections.<br><br> <p></p><i></i>

[Chico]

I agree it is not cool when parents can lobby to get a coach removed but, this team was 13-13 last season and lost their final 4 games which were against some good teams. Their leading point getter was a junior and the next two were seniors with a sophomore in fourth. Also, there will be no returning goalie with any substainal minutes played as the senior goalie had almost 1200 minutes.<br><br>Yes, when the Bostrom brothers were still playing the team was dangerous with them on the first line and putting up sick numbers. What has happened to the program since they left? If anyone knows, did coach Nitti have a good working relationship with the youth program? In an area such as this, working closely with the youth program is critical. Not sure how many they may loose to private schools? Did the players like playing for him? This is the real question, forget about the parents.<br><br>With around 12 seniors graduated from last season and the need for a new goalie to step up, this will be a tough position for any coach to get into. And add in a split parent group to the mix. I also do not think you can compare this to the Randolph situation at East, not apples to apples at all. <p></p><i></i>

[POPARENT]

Yes the team was 13-13 last year, lets not forget the team set an all time scoring record ( 124 goals ) 4.76 goals per game is a stat any Varsity coach would be proud of. The problem arrises when your goaltending is allowing 4.42 goals per game ( 115 total ) w/ an sp avg. of 0.84 That percentage makes it tough to win games. Now for my rant.....It is a sad day for Mounds View that the msg sent not by a few angry parents to their own children is that if mommy does not agree with what team you are on or the ice time you are getting mommy will make it better for you by running the coach out. What ever happened to hard work or the cold reality that maybe just maybe little Johny is just not as good as you see him. <p></p><i></i>

[puckhead89]

I know vey little about the Mounds View situation or its program other than what has appeared here. But an interesting comment was posted by Chico. The senior goaltender logged 1200 minutes. According to the next post, Mounds View had scoring power, but the GAA was 4+ (reminding those of you who enjoy blaming netminders: what was MV's defense like, and I mean ALL defenders like back checking forwards?,etc.). <br><br>So, what's my point? Nothing to do with Mounds View or their coaching issue, but rather, if a program chooses to develop only a few players throughout the year, the program will ALWAYS be at risk. Case in point: If you choose to play only one goaltender all year long, (and he/she is a senior to boot) like what apparently MV did, the program's success is then at risk for at least the next year. Coaching is about alot of things, but not the least of which is preparation....Not just for tonight's practice, not just for tomorrow's game, but if you are the head coach, you are, or should be, in constant preparation for the development of your program. <br><br>We have all read the posts recently on the politics of the elite league and the selects, but politics is never more poignant than when it is in your own high school program. <p></p><i></i>

[Chico]

puckhead89, I agree with you on the overall development comments. Now this may be getting off the subject a little and is not in reference to the Moundsview situation. Too many coaches are pressured to WIN, and many of them are in average or below average programs, and they may still be forced to go with the "horses" and end up losing sight of the whole picture because of this. These type of programs need to realize this, mainly from the parent standpoint and let the coaches develop the program accordingly. Wow, what a concept. Who pays the price in the end, the player and sometimes the coach, not the parent.<br><br>Moundsview will be in a rebuilding mode this season and everyone needs to fully understand this in order to allow a new coach, or if the existing coach does get the job back, and allow them to develop this group properly on and off the ice. They are in a very tough section and conference as everybody knows with CDH coming this season as well, so they need to make the most of it for each and every player in the program, whatever ends up happening.<br><br> <p></p><i></i>

[coachesunion]

Well put Chico, but lets take a look<br><br>Disgruntled parents take on Athletic Director, He gets weak. On to Superintendent, They kick coach to curb. School board whizzes down leg and circles wagons. Just like Randolph in Duluth, and likely will have same result.<br><br>I hear now the pleasant Stillwater folks are starting to squeeze the apricots of Phill Housley. If you try, you can still hear the echoes of there begging him to take the job. Chateau Phill deserves better.<br><br>Athletic Directors should all be required to take a turn behind the bench to give them the proper perspective. They can have first hand experience explaining to parents how come 8 guys cant play on the power play.<br><br>Anyone interested in coaching High School Hockey in Minnesota should first try hand feeding Grizzly Bears, salami. With the bear your going to know where you stand, Hockey parents get you in the back.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> <p></p><i></i>

[OFFSIDES GUY]

POPARENT great comment on little Johny. Unfortunately that never seems to change. Johny should be on 1st line, Johny should be on power play, Johny should... Johny should... same old story. Coaches fault always. Sad thing about the MV situation asked a couple hockey people out west here and no one even knows what's going down. That's what concerns me. This is getting to be old hat for administrators and everyone accepts it. Too bad. Just get rid of the coach so I don't have to hear a couple parents whine and maybe it'll go away. Never does though. How about a novel idea of an AD or administrator telling a parent that the coach has done a good job end of story. Don't give them the forum to vent and half these problems don't escalate. <p></p><i></i>

[puckhead89]

Administrators in public school districts don't have the luxury of telling their bosses (taxpayers) they don't have a forum for them to talk about their issues...nice thought though..... <p></p><i></i>

[inthefairway]

Moundsview once again has themselves way overated. Every year we hear how they are going to State in Football and Hockey and they underachieve. This not a coaching issue, they simply don't have any big time players. Look who they could have had:<br><br>MxXallum - Hill<br>McDonagh - Cretin<br>Hoeffel - Hill<br>Croonquist - Hill (eventually quit)<br>Phillipi - Hill<br><br>There are probably more.<br><br>If they keep these kids they may have a chance to compete. Another great example of knucklehead parents screwing up youth sports. Get over it Dad, the coach is fine you just simply aren't that good. <p></p><i></i>

[BSIII]

What happened in Duluth? They changed the administration.<br>Right! I doubt if the administration in Mounds View realizes that these things can happen and do! There are 3 open seats on the MV School Board during the next election! I need 2 more people to run with me. Not only coaches, but all district employees need an advocate. Running rough-shod over employees is real easy when the poor employee "percieves" that he/she doesn't have a big enough hammer. If MV thinks a school closing was a big issue, they ain't seen nothing yet. If the rest of you Moundsview coaches read this stuff - jump on Nicks bandwagon - cause I'll guarantee you that it won't run out of gas. We will hover over this issue like a dark cloud during a tycoon. <p></p><i></i>

[BSIII]

Two quotes for all you sewer dwellers that are dancing in the streets because Nick is gone.<br><br>#1 - From a School Board Member - "the renewal of a coaches contract shall not be skewed by any group." <br><br>#2 - Read the Shoreview press - "It really comes down to our desire to provide a quality program for our students and right now with this deep division, I don't believe we are in a position to do it" and "We want to have environment in which the coach can be successful and the division of opinion about him and the program.....is really to great in our minds for it to be successful". <p></p><i></i>

[puckhead89]

Hey, Inthefairway, I think I understand what you are trying to say in your last post about parents, but can we all avoid bashing the kids in the program...any program. You stated MV is over-rated and are underachievers, yet you then say they don't have any "big time" players....well, in that event, how can they possibly be underachieving then? <br><br>As to why MV can't keep big time players who have been in their district, well, let's just say the same can be said about every single hockey program in the state of Minnesota. MV is not a unique situation, it is just on the front burner right now, so to speak. <p></p><i></i>

[sickofnoknowledge21]

Scotty Bowman wouldn't win at Moundsview. YOU NEED THE HORSES! <p></p><i></i>

[inthefairway]

ph89 - I hear ya, no intent to bash kids, just venting over parents trying to run a coach out. <p></p><i></i>

[Chico]

Check out the Pioneer Press, and Charlie Walters. He states that the non-renewal of coach Nitti's contract has caused controversy and divided the schools hockey community. Also, a search for a replacement hasn't begun, and an interim coach for next season is a possibility. Should be interesting to see who may be the interim coach if it goes that route. <p></p><i></i>