I've been enjoying the thread on coaches, but find it interesting that (aside from a backhand reference to Harvard) the coaches of the ECAC have not appeared in the discussion. Could this be due to the lack of a few dominant programs as has been discussed in a separate thread? In any case, I have to put in a vote (admittedly biased) for SLU's own Joe Marsh - I wouldn't trade him even up for any other coach in college hockey. He may not always have the most talented players - certainly not a roster full of NHL draft choices, but that's proabably more due to finacial aid and academic constraints than recruiting talent. He's got a great ability to get the most out of hard-working grinder type players. Plus his players appear to love playing for him. One last point (again biased from the viewpoint of a faculty member) which I'd consider as an AD in picking a coach is his commitment to the academic side of his players' "careers". This is something that Marsh takes very seriously. For example, a number of recent players (Lee Albert, Tom Perry, ...) have stayed at SLU even after their eligibility was over to finish their degrees. From other teams I have seen, I'd have to second votes for Walsh and Jackson (I know - both non-ECAC (:>)) as producing teams which are traditionally very disciplined and committed to a clear philosophy of team play - reflections of the impact of superior coaching. I haven't seen enough of many of the other teams featured in this discussion to be able to judge the degree to which their coaches have the same influence. Robin Lock St. Lawrence University [log in to unmask] HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.