sportsfanattic's blog
Ron is gone … thanks for the memories.
Tuesday May 13, 2008 @ 01:05 PM EDT
I’m still assimilating but being a positive sort, I’m going with the thought that sometimes change is just what we need to get over a hump – like round two in the playoffs. Third season in a row and somebody has to take the blame. I’m not saying Ron hasn’t done an amazing job but sometimes a change is necessary to shake things up and this may be good for the team in the long run.
I’m going to use a football analogy because … I can’t come up with a good hockey one. I give you the Tampa Bay Bucs. Tony Dungy built a great football team in Tampa but could never quite get to the trophy. Year after year in the playoffs. Year after year, oh so close. Then it’s “so long, Tony” and “hello, Jon Gruden”. That very year and with the same team, he wins a Superbowl. Gruden is a good coach but he was standing on the shoulders of giants.
It’s just my humble opinion, but I don’t think the Sharks played up to their potential this season. You only have to look at the roster to see that. We have some serious talent on our team but that talent, for whatever reason, fails to achieve post season. Did Thornton play in those Dallas games like he played during the regular season? Did Cheechoo? Can this be blamed on the coach? Maybe, maybe not, but it could be that Ron Wilson had become like the wallpaper – ever present but largely ignored.
Therefore, I say, bring on a fresh perspective, a new voice, a different approach. Find us a new coach who will do justice to the team that Ron built.
Thanks Ron & Go Sharks!
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3 Comments - 3 Replies
ASabreFanIn...
May 15 2008 13:53
A FRESH PERSPECTIVE
Fair or not, Ron Wilson is history, and the next coach will have to take what raw talent the Sharks have and build upon it. It would be interesting if Pat Burns got the nod, seeing as how he coached both the Canadiens and Devils to Cup appearances. (I don’t remember if they won with him at the helm or not.)
sharks4life
May 14 2008 13:10
Well
From what I’ve heard, he wasn’t exactly the most fun guy to play for. I didn’t buy all the “We hope Ronnie comes back” from the players. Remember Hannan? He said he left because he wanted a change of scenery, but I remember him saying that he didn’t like Ronnie. Probably the same reason Bill Guerin didn’t come back last season.
Hopefully we can find a guy who’s fun to play for but who’s also tough. The Mercury News suggested Pat Burns. I don’t know anything about him, but from what he sounds like, it would be a good fit if we hired him.
Ninh
May 13 2008 20:57
It's bad days ...
... when a Head Coach gets your team into the Conference Semis and still loses their job.
Honestly, what’s the true benefit of letting go of Ron Wilson at this point? And is there anybody else out there that’s better than him AND available?
But in large, I do agree with you … maybe a shake up is just what the Sharks need. It’s just a bizarre move?