BOWLING GREEN — There is no way for Bowling Green to spin the loss of hockey coach Chris Bergeron to Miami (Ohio).
It is a big one.
But it’s also an opportunity.
In his nine seasons here, Bergeron levitated the Falcons from the dead all the way back to the NCAA tournament, proving what a program that spent three decades living in its glorious past still can be.
It is a sustainable foundation and there’s no reason the right hire can’t keep the momentum going — and then some.
With that in mind, here’s one man’s look at the top candidates to become the next coach:
THE GRAND SLAM
Dan Bylsma: I have no idea if the former Stanley Cup-winning coach has any interest in leaving the NHL.
But Bowling Green AD Bob Moosbrugger might as well swing for the fences with his first call.
A 1992 BG grad who has remained a loyal supporter of his alma mater, Bylsma played parts of nine seasons in the league and has since been the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins — where he won a championship in 2009 — the Buffalo Sabres, and Team USA at the 2014 Olympics. He currently is an assistant for the Detroit Red Wings.
Bylsma presumably earns as much or more as an NHL assistant as he would at Bowling Green, which, at the very most, could be $250,000 annually. (BG offered Bergeron a nice raise on his $185,000-per-year-deal, but it fell well short of the $300,000-plus he will receive at Miami.) Also, our guess is he has eyes on another top NHL job. Still, the worst Bylsma can tell BG is no. If he says ... yes, Moosbrugger has the coup of a lifetime.
Never mind Bylsma has no experience coaching in college. He is a respected coach with the name brand and pro connections that could turn BG into a recruiting force.
THE HOME RUN
Wayne Wilson: The longtime coach at Rochester Institute of Technology should be the top realistic candidate.
A captain on the Falcons’ championship team in 1984 and an assistant here from 1988-99, the 57-year-old Wilson has done wonders at a school that competes in Division III in every sport but hockey. He led RIT to the Frozen Four in 2010 and, more recently, consecutive NCAA tournaments in 2015 and 2016.
Similar to Bergeron going home to Miami, Wilson could feel the tug.
Wilson’s salary is unknown — RIT is a private school — but if money is an issue, BG should find it (within reason). Remember, between Toledo and BG, Falcons hockey is the one program that has won a national title and realistically can go head to head with anyone anywhere. I still say BG should worry less about the outrageous arms race in football and basketball and go all in on hockey, where there are only 60 Division I teams and the Falcons can be an annual national contender.
THE EXTRA-BASE HITS
Ty Eigner: His only head coaching experience is in high school, which is a risk. But Eigner deserves a shot.
An assistant during Bergeron’s entire tenure, the former BG captain and 1993 grad is seen as the top internal candidate, a well-regarded teacher and recruiter who could help keep strong class of incoming prospects intact.
What’s more, if the school is looking to save coin as usual, Eigner would be the most economical choice.
Brian Hills: If BG can’t land Wilson, perhaps the next best thing is his top deputy.
Hills was a two-time All-American at Bowling Green and has coached the past 14 seasons alongside his former Falcons teammate at RIT.
THE MYSTERY MAN
Mr. X: Did anyone see Bowling Green tabbing Mike Jinks as its football coach? Or, for that matter, Scot Loeffler?
Whether it’s a top assistant from a top program or someone from beyond the left-field wall, there’s no telling where the school will turn as it continues to vet candidates.
One thing Moosbrugger has going for him is an unsurpassed Rolodex of NHL contacts to lean on for guidance. BG’s network is staggering, with three alums working as NHL general managers — George McPhee (Las Vegas Golden Knights), Brian MacLellan (Washington Capitals), and Rob Blake (Los Angeles Kings) — and many more in prominent positions throughout the sport.
Our unsolicited two cents: Call all of them. (After ringing Bylsma, that is!)
First Published April 7, 2019, 9:50 p.m.
