| | So much talk in professional sports today involves how difficult it is to communicate with the contemporary athlete. They're overpaid, pampered and have fragile egos. It's tough enough for coaches in general, but for the old guard, it can be a nightmare. Just look at Don Nelson with the NBA's Dallas Mavericks or Mike Ditka of the NFL's New Orleans Saints as examples of that.
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BROOKS' TRACK RECORD
|
|
Team
|
G
|
W-L-T
|
pct.
|
|
Rangers
|
285
|
131-113-41
|
.532
|
|
North Stars
|
80
|
19-48-13
|
.319
|
|
Devils
|
84
|
40-37-7
|
.518
|
Yet, for some reason, the NHL has gone to two hockey old-timers to save teams in early season funks. First, 'Hawks GM Bob Murray gets fired in Chicago, and 63-year-old Bob Pulford takes over as GM and coach -- although former undisputed head coach Lorne Molleken remains on the bench in games.
Now, 62-year-old Herb Brooks has been brought in to replace Kevin Constantine behind the Pittsburgh Penguins bench. The Constantine situation was bound to come to a head at some point this season for a few reasons.
He was on the final year of a contract, which had not been extended.
Constantine has been rumored to be a prime candidate to take over coaching duties for the expansion Minnesota Wild next season.
He had a tenuous relationship with the team's greatest asset, Jaromir Jagr.
But the question remains, why Herb Brooks?
Brooks hasn't been an NHL head coach since 1993, and his record was spotty to begin with. He had a winning record with New Jersey and the New York Rangers, but in his one season with the Minnesota North Stars (now the Dallas Stars), he was 19-48-13.
Yes, he was acting as a scout in the organization, but that's a far cry from running practices and dealing with line matchups on a daily basis. Plus, like the subject of the contemporary athlete, a lot has changed in and out of the locker room since 1993. Player salaries are even higher; there is a tremendous influx of international talent; and coaches have to cater to player egos like never before. Coaching the French National Team in '98 isn't exactly preparation for leading the Pens.
|  | | Brooks gets to coach Jagr, the league's top scorer and most exciting player. |
So, is Brooks equipped to deal with this? There is hope, however. Look no further than 60-something Dick Vermeil of the St. Louis Rams. He was considered a dying dinosaur until this season, and now he's poised to make a run for the Super Bowl. But don't forget, Vermeil went through some serious tough times in St. Louis before righting the ship. The Penguins, vis-à-vis GM Craig Patrick and owner Mario Lemieux, expect to make the playoffs this season.
Patrick did have some options with this move. He could have promoted his brother, Glenn, who is currently the head coach of the team's AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. But Glenn may not have been prepared for the jump, and likely, accusations of nepotism may have persuaded the safer move with Brooks.
Also, someone like Ted Nolan could have been brought in. Don't forget, Nolan won the NHL coach of the year award three seasons ago and has been out of work since refusing a one-year offer from the Sabres. He's a proven coach, but there may have been a risk with Nolan, too. Rumor had it that Nolan and Czech superstar goalie Dominik Hasek didn't always get along so well. How would he do with another Czech star?
In the end, Brooks may be a little out of touch with the late '90s NHL player, but he is a safe play. He knows the game. Because of his legacy from the 1980 Olympics and coaching credentials, he commands a lot more instant credibility than a young coach. Further, he and Craig Patrick go way back -- Patrick was his assistant in 1980 -- and he likely would step aside without a fight at season's end if the Pens want to hire someone else.
Whether he can turn things around in Pittsburgh remains to be seen. Will he be Vermeil or Ditka? He has a better chance than Pulford at being the former for one reason: He's got Jagr, the best player in the game.
Brian A. Shactman is the NHL editor for ESPN.com | |
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