Now I wonder about the great coaching part.  I was in a friendly discussion
yesterday with a Madison resident (and knowledgeable hockey fan) who was
really down on Sauer.  His opinion was that Wisconsin typically has the great
talent to pull rabbits out of the hat, but that Sauer was not a great coach
and that even the players did not think much of him.
 
I recognize some of this is fan(atic) hyperbole, but I also wonder if there
isn't a grain of truth here.  For instance, the disgraceful fight after the
National championship game, and generally chippy play of Wisconsin, to me
reflects the attitude and attributes of the coach.  I have heard the comment
often that Sauer does not get overly involved with directing the players and
likes to let them work out differences, etc., by themselves.  This is not
coaching - it is hands-off Reagon-like management style.
 
Anyway, the purpose of this is not to blast Wisconsin (I'm a Cheesehead too)
but to get some feedback.  What do other people think?  Is Sauer a great coach
or is he in the catbird seat with a great program and lots of talent?
 
Tom Rowe                                 Internet:  [log in to unmask]
 
Department of Psychology                 ***********************************
U. of Wisconsin - Stevens Point          Home of Division III National
     Go Point!                           Champions '89, '90, '91, & '93