(from yesterday's Bangor Daily News..wts)
 
UM's Walsh withdraws as Ohio State candidate
 
 
By Pete Warner
and Larry Mahoney
of the NEWS Staff
 
University of Maine hockey coach Shawn Walsh has withdrawn his name from
consideration for the vacant head coaching job at Ohio State University.
 
Walsh, who has spent several days in Naples, Fla., for the American
Hockey Coaches Association's annual convention, confirmed Monday that
he made the decision Saturday. He informed Archie Griffin, OSU's
associate director of athletics and the chairman of the search
committee, of his intention to remain at Maine.
 
"The more I thought about it, the more I decided the timing isn't
right. I think it would have been a lateral move," said Walsh, the AHCA
Division I Coach of the Year, who directed Maine to a 32-6- 6 record
and a national runner-up finish this year.
 
Ohio State sports information specialist Tom Lucia said Monday he was
not aware of Walsh's decision. However, he said OSU athletic director
Andy Geiger told him the university is in no hurry to name a new coach,
since their recruits for next season are already in place.
 
Walsh, 40, said the bright prospects for next year's veteran team and
his desire to ride out the pending NCAA investigation of the UMaine
program were the main considerations in deciding not to pursue the
post.
 
"I'm really kind of excited about our team next year," Walsh said. "I
looked at it long and hard, and my thought right now is that it's
better to stay right here and see this thing through and see what we
can get accomplished here next year."
 
Walsh, who has compiled a career coaching record of 275-168-21 in 11
seasons directing the Black Bears, was reported two weeks ago to be
among five finalists for the Ohio State post. Another finalist, Northern
Michigan coach Rick Comley, had already removed himself from consideration.
 
                        *        *        *
 
Walsh also announced the signing of another recruit for next season.
Brett Clark, a defenseman from Saskatchewan, has signed an NCAA Letter
of Intent to play for the Black Bears.
 
Walsh said Clark, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound defenseman, has outstanding
offensive skills and should make an impact in Orono. "He's an offensive
defenseman, much in the mold of (recruit David) Cullen," Walsh said.
 
Clark, Cullen and forward Steve Kariya have signed with Maine for next
season. Walsh said he still expects to land one more forward to complete
this year's recruiting class.