Boston Globe sportswriter Bob Monahan had this little tidbit in today's
paper...
 
        "University of Massachusetts athletic director Bob Marcum said
yesterday he'll name a hockey coach by next week.
        "Right now, I'm looking at four names," said Marcum. "All four
are excellent candidates and I think each is unique in a way and each has
the ability to bring something different to the table."
        Asked whether the four being considered were Springfield (AHL)
Indians Coach Jay Leach, BC assistant Joe Mallen, LSSU coach Jeff Jackson,
and Brown assistant Brian Durocher, Marcum said, "You seem to be right on
target."
        "The selection committee did a fine job screening people. They put
in a lot of hours. But I wanted to wait until the season was over so I
could talk to [Maine coach] Shawn Walsh and others. Shawn has been there and
knows what it's all about. The pool of coaches got bigger after the season
ended."
        "Also, remember, I have a building here that holds 8,400 and I
want to see those seats filled."
        Marcum indicated that he may lean toward a person with head coaching
experience. That would mean Jackson, who was interviewed last week, or Leach.
        Marcum wants a coach who can give him quick results.
        "That's why I also was interested in Jackson, like Walsh," said
Marcum. "His team won the nationals two years ago and he knows what it's
all about. He's been there. We had a nice talk. Jeff has gone back to
Lake Superior and we'll talk again real soon."
        Jackson, who does not make anything close to the $83,000 that the
Minuteman job will pay, arrived at Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., yesterday
afternoon after a six-hour drive from his hometown, Detroit. "I visited
with Bob last week and I'm definitely interested in the UMass job," he said.
"We'll talk again on the phone real soon."
        "I've been busy on this appointment," said Marcum. "I've also talked
to coaches from both the amatuer and professional ranks to seek advice.
Hartford GM Brian Burke was helpful. I think we're going in the right
direction. I even was told that Jack Parker from BU would be a great choice.
I agree, but how can I get Jack from BU?"
   (Bob: you can't. --Sid)
        Some UMass alumni are talking with Marcum often. Said one, "I
just hope Bob picks a coach who will care about the graduation rate
of his players. That's important. A lot of us also would like to see a
coach who would have some Massachusetts kids on the team. I wouldn't like
to see UMass represented by just three Americans as LSSU was this past
season." "
 
--Sid
BU '94