Don Lucia – Page 4 – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Twins New Bosses Face Fan Anger

Posted on November 7, 2016November 7, 2016 by David Shama

The Twins introduced new baseball department bosses Derek Falvey and Thad Levine to the media and fans today. News of their appointments won’t sell many tickets or immediately improve a team that lost 103 games last season.

Falvey is the new executive vice president and chief baseball officer. Levine’s title is senior vice president and general manager. They represent a new start for a franchise that has lost over 90 games in five of the last six seasons. Home attendance has declined every year, with the Twins drawing less than two million fans last season for the first time since moving into Target Field in 2010.

Fans have become both angry and apathetic. A knowledgeable sports industry source told Sports Headliners he heard the Twins’ season tickets total is about 8,800 right now. Another source believes the final total for 2017 will be about 10,000. When the club started playing at Target Field the season tickets total was approximately 25,000.

TV viewership was dismal at times last season. A ratings authority said the Nielsen results for a Twins-Blue Jays game in August showed no viewers in the 600-home meters sample size. “That’s never happened before with the Twins,” the source said.

Twins president Dave St. Peter told Sports Headliners earlier this year market research shows fans “desperately” want to get behind the franchise. To rally the fan base, though, Falvey and Levine will have to make changes that re-energize the public.

At the top of the to-do list is adding a couple of marquee players to the roster before next season. The Twins have a reputation for usually not spending significantly on free agents—nor wisely when they do. Their offseason shopping list might start with free agent catcher Wilson Ramos who the Twins errantly traded away to the Nationals in 2010 for closer Matt Capps. Ramos, 29, had a breakout year in 2016, becoming a National League All-Star and hitting .307 with 22 home runs with 80 RBI.

Everyone knows the Twins need to upgrade their pitching staff and that assignment might be where Falvey and Levine can show their smarts first. If they can identity the right pitching help this offseason, that will be impressive. Without better starters and relievers, the Twins are probably a lock to finish last in the American League Central Division again.

The shopping list should also include a clubhouse leader. The Twins never replaced role model vet Torii Hunter who retired after the 2015 season. His leadership and hitting production were key reasons why the 2015 team had a winning record (83-79).

Falvey and Levine should show the fan base they are changing the culture in the baseball department. Change is anticipated to include increased use of analytics but it’s also expected to result in new faces in the organization. Changes might include new coaches.

Levine indicated at today’s news conference he and Falvey see manager Paul Molitor as “someone they can invest in.” No reassurances were made, though, that all the coaches on Molitor’s staff will return. Rob Antony, who has been leading the baseball operation, drew praise from Falvey who didn’t hint at change there.

The 33-year-old Falvey and the 44-year-old Levine have a big job ahead. In a few years the results of their decisions will be known. Let them do things now they believe will give the Twins the best chance to win in 2017 and beyond.

Falvey comes from the Indians where he was assistant general manager. His most extensive experience with the organization was serving four years as the director of baseball operations. Levine has spent the past 11 seasons as assistant general manager for the Rangers.

Worth Noting

Falvey and Levine impressed with their answers at today’s news conference, with the latter more than once showing a sense of humor. The transplanted Texan said he had been warned about Minneapolis weather in November but temps have been mild. “This is actually a lovely time of year up here,” Levine said.

Bo Hellquist, the former UMD pitcher from Savage who signed as a free agent with the Twins in June, had a 5-3 record with a 2.25 ERA in 11 games pitching in the Gulf Coast League for rookies.

Jay Buckley’s Baseball Tours, operating from La Crosse, Wisconsin, has announced 30 trips for 2017 including games to see the World Series champion Cubs. Billed as the “Ultimate Wrigley Field Experience,” the Chicago trip will allow fans to watch games from the stadium and a rooftop. More at Jaybuckley.com.

Give the Gophers and coach Don Lucia credit for a weekend with a tie and a win over North Dakota, a team that has been ranked No. 1 in the country. Saturday night’s announced attendance was 10,310—the ninth largest ever at Mariucci Arena.

The Sports Illustrated College Basketball Projection System simulates the season ahead 10,000 times and ranks teams from No. 1 to 351. The Gophers are No. 97, just behind East Tennessee State and one spot ahead of South Dakota State. Minnesota ranks 13th in the 14-team Big Ten Conference. Rutgers—ouch!—is 224th.

S.I. ranks Duke No. 1 in the nation, while Big Ten teams in the top 16 are Wisconsin No. 8, Purdue No. 11 and Indiana No. 14.

Emmit Carpenter, who kicked three field goals including two of over 50 yards in the Gophers’ win over Purdue Saturday, was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week today.

New Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur impressed yesterday with his use of various personnel and play calling, including a surprise touchdown run by reserve tight end Rhett Ellison in Minnesota’s 22-16 loss to the Lions.

Bleacherreport.com’s NFL power rankings this morning have the Lions at No. 11 and the Vikings No. 12. The Redskins, who the Vikings play next Sunday, are No. 13, while the Patriots rank first.

Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame is a current exhibit at the Minnesota History Center, and one that Vikings fans will enjoy. The travelling exhibit, on display through January 15, includes an area devoted to the Minnesota NFL franchise. In addition to the Hometown Heroes section, fans can enjoy and learn about the history of pro football including how Ole Haugsrud purchased the Duluth Eskimos franchise for $1 in 1925. Haugsrud later became one of the original Vikings owners.

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Vikings Could Even ‘Limp’ into Playoffs

Posted on October 24, 2016October 24, 2016 by David Shama

The Vikings had a dismal performance in losing to the Eagles yesterday but with a 5-1 record they are positioned to qualify for the playoffs, and possibly a repeat title in the NFC North.

Mistakes on offense and special teams resulted in the team’s first loss of the season in Philadelphia, 21-10. The Vikings’ patchwork offensive line was exploited by the Eagles—creating the possibility quarterback Sam Bradford would sustain a serious and even season-ending injury.

Sam Bradford (photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)

Bradford is okay but perhaps the Eagles discovered something schematically other teams can use against the Vikings’ offense. Possible, but Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer would be expected to make schematic adjustments, too, and perhaps with personnel changes. Evident for certain yesterday was the Eagles played at a high level defensively. Philadelphia has given up only 23 total points in three home games this season.

A weak Bears team likely helps the Vikings to a sixth win when the two teams play next Monday night in Chicago. The 1-6 Bears have the worst record among the remaining teams on Minnesota’s schedule. The Vikings close the regular season with the Bears in Minneapolis January 1.

The Vikings also have two games remaining against the Lions (4-3), another division rival. The other opponents are the Cardinals (3-3-1), Colts (3-4), Cowboys (5-1), Jaguars (2-4), Packers (4-2) and Redskins (4-3).

With their remaining schedule (five home, five road) and superb defense, the Vikings figure to win at least five or six more times. Even playing .500 football—and the Vikings should do better than that—gives Minnesota a regular season record of 10-6 and probable spot in the playoffs. Last season the Vikings’ 11-5 record won the NFC North. In 2008 and 2012 Minnesota had 10-6 records, good enough to win the division one year and finish second the other season. The Vikings qualified for the playoffs both years. …

Former Vikings linebacker Jeff Siemon will (for a fee) sign memorabilia and pose for photos on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at Southtown Shopping Center in Bloomington. His appearance is part of the two-day Saturday-Sunday Triple Crown Sports Collectibles show. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. …

Gophers redshirt sophomore running back Rodney Smith was announced as the Big Ten’s Offensive player of the week this morning. He had 257 all-purpose yards in Minnesota’s win last Saturday against Rutgers. That was the most for a Gopher since Troy Stoudermire had 290 against Iowa in 2008. Highlights for Smith included a 94-yeard kickoff return for a touchdown. …

Gophers hockey coach Don Lucia didn’t bring up the subject but told Sports Headliners his uncertain contract status earlier this year cost the program at least one future recruit. He wouldn’t specify a number.

Lucia ended last season with just one more year on his contract. It was thought an extension could be finalized last spring or summer but an agreement for an additional two years wasn’t announced until earlier this month.

“I don’t know why it took so long, to be honest,” Lucia said. “Nothing changed from June when we talked, so it just took that long to get everything back from the University and get it all signed.”

When asked about the delay’s impact on recruiting, Lucia said, “It didn’t help. Let’s put it that way.”

Lucia, 58, has been leading the program since 1999 and is the Gophers’ all-time winningest coach. He is comfortable with the new contract that takes him through the 2018-2019 season. “It’s fine. It’s like anything. In some ways when you coach at this level, you’re always year to year. You do enough, and they want to keep you around. If not, they go in a different direction.

“I still love what I do. I know I am fortunate to be working here. It’s hard to believe this is my 18th year, 30th year as a head coach. It’s nice to be able to go to work and say I really enjoy what I do. I love the kids. This is a fun team to be around. They want to work.”

Lucia and other coaches in the athletic department were reporting to an interim athletic director during the past school year. That negated contract talks for Lucia until new AD Mark Coyle arrived last spring. It also impacted recruiting, although the Gophers do have multiple verbal commitments in place for next season.

Lucia is trying to get the Gophers back in the NCAA Tournament after failing to qualify last season—although Minnesota did win the Big Ten championship. The Gophers’ 6-11 nonconference record was the team’s undoing for the NCAA’s.

This season Minnesota is 2-2 in nonleague games. The Gophers won two games in Alaska against Anchorage and Fairbanks, but were swept last weekend by St. Cloud State. …

Rumors about the Timberwolves trading Tyus Jones to the Sixers makes sense for guard-desperate Philly. Jones could reunite with boyhood friend and ex-Duke teammate Jahlil Okafor.

Sports Illustrated’s NBA Preview issue predicts the Timberwolves will just miss qualifying for the playoffs, finishing ninth in the 15-team Western Conference. The magazine picks the Warriors to defeat the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.

Basketball authorities, including the NBA’s general managers, are optimistic about the Timberwolves who were 29-53 last season and haven’t qualified for the playoffs since 2004. The league’s GMs said in a survey Minnesota will be the NBA’s most improved team.

The survey named Wolves center Karl-Anthony Towns the player most general managers want to start a franchise. They also chose point guard Kris Dunn as most likely to be Rookie of the Year, and the second biggest steal in the draft. It’s a popular view Dunn, selected No. 5 overall in the first round, was the best player in the 2016 NBA Draft.

Sports Illustrated quoted an anonymous NBA scout as saying former Wolves forward Kevin Love wasn’t happy with the Cavaliers last season and likely would have been traded over the summer if the club hadn’t won the league championship in June. …

Greg Eslinger, the former Gopher All-American center inducted last week into the M Club Hall of Fame, weighed close to 300 pounds in college but has lost about 75 pounds and is running marathons. Eslinger has a sales career in Fargo.

Steve Fritz bobblehead (photo courtesy of University of St. Thomas)

Athletic director Steve Fritz is the cover subject of the current University of St. Thomas magazine. A bobblehead photo of Fritz, who coached the 2011 UST men’s basketball team to a national title, is on the cover with the headline “Steve Fritz Is the Ulitmate Tommie.” He is in his 50th school year, arriving at St. Thomas in 1967 as a student and basketball player, and after graduation staying on as an employee in various positions during his career.

Minneapolis-based Taste of the NFL founder Wayne Kostroski said via email that tickets are on sale for the 2017 event in Houston Saturday, February 4. The 26th annual party dedicated to hunger relief in America will be held at the University of Houston and be even more appealing to Minnesotans if the Vikings are playing in Houston’s Super Bowl the next day. More at Tasteofthenfl.com.

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Don Lucia Expecting Contract Talks

Posted on March 16, 2016March 16, 2016 by David Shama

After this season Don Lucia has one year remaining on his contract as Gophers men’s hockey coach. He wants to continue indefinitely in the job he has held since 1999.

“Yeah, I would like to come back,” Lucia told Sports Headliners last week. “This is my 29th year as a head coach and I will be 58 this summer, but I still love what I do.”

If University of Minnesota officials don’t give Lucia a contract extension it will leave him in an awkward position this offseason and during the 2016-2017 schedule. Rival coaches can tell high school recruits the Gophers’ hockey future is in doubt. Minnesota’s assistant coaches and players will question the school’s commitment to the head coach.

Lucia doesn’t think that’s a direction he’s headed. “Yeah, I think after the season we’ll sit down and talk. We’ll see where the University is at and we’ll see where I am at, and what they want to do going forward.”

It’s not clear what direction University administrators will take. This is a time of transition in the athletic department with no permanent athletic director. Does University president Eric Kaler want interim athletic director Beth Goetz to make a recommendation soon on Lucia’s contract and future?

Maybe. Goetz was allowed an important hire last week when the Gophers named Ayo Taylor-Dixon a senior associate athletic director with responsibilities for department marketing, sales and service. Some observers find the hire curious believing such an important slot should be filled when a new AD is in place—but perhaps Kaler is already leaning toward naming Goetz for the position that has been open since last summer.

The Gophers entered this season with more wins (105) the last four seasons than any Division I men’s program. Minnesota also made program history by winning consecutive regular season league titles the last five years, with two championships in the WCHA and the last three in the Big Ten including in 2016.

The five straight titles ties Boston College (1994-1998) for the NCAA record for consecutive conference championships, but overall it’s been a somewhat mediocre season for Minnesota. The Big Ten record is 14-6 and for all games it’s 19-16, with inconsistency characterizing Minnesota’s play. Instead of being ranked among the nation’s elite in polls, the Gophers have struggled to be in the top 20.

Minnesota has a storied program with high expectations including national championships. Lucia’s teams won consecutive NCAA titles in 2002 and 2003 but none since. The Gophers did lose the national title game two years ago to Union. Lucia has long had his critics and the “chorus” has been loud this season.

Lucia can diminish criticism if his team qualifies for the NCAA Tournament and makes an impressive run toward the Frozen Four in April. The Gophers play in the Big Ten Tournament at Xcel Energy Center starting Friday night. The tourney winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Gophers’ entry to the NCAA field will come only if they emerge as Big Ten Tournament champions on Saturday, because their overall resume isn’t worthy of an at-large selection based on the data used to select teams.

Lucia said “great goaltending” and defense are the most important elements in playoff hockey. He has one of the best NCAA freshman goalies in Eric Schierhorn. “We’ve proven that we can beat good teams, but we’re not a dominant team where we can play an average game and win,” Lucia said. “The guys understand that.”

Reality may well be the Gophers are better next season than now. Lucia is playing seven or eight freshmen most games, including Schierhorn. More experience will help younger players and so will becoming physically stronger. “Some of them need to make a step in the weight room and that can’t happen overnight,” Lucia said. “It’s gotta be in that offseason of physical training.”

There’s no doubt Lucia wants to coach next year’s team and others that follow. “I am at that point as long as you still enjoy what you’re doing, you want to continue to do it,” he said. “I think I am in good shape. I physically take care of myself. Some guys coach until they’re 70. I don’t think I’ll be doing that. I’d like to continue to do it for a few more years.”

No matter when the Gophers play their last game this season, Lucia will take a complete view of 2016-2017. “Do you want to try to win a national title? Sure you do. I am still disappointed we didn’t a couple years ago. Union did. I don’t judge any year on ‘did you win your last game?’ It’s difficult to win your last game. I judge more on did the kids get better? Did the kids have a positive experience and did we maximize our abilities?”

Academic achievement from his players is important, too. This year’s team has a cumulative GPA of 3.2. Lucia said that for many years only one player who stayed in the program four years hasn’t earned a degree.

Worth Noting

Lucia’s list of incentives with the University agreed to in 2012 rewards him with $30,000 for winning a regular season conference championship, $15,000 for a conference tournament title and the same amount for a Gophers’ invitation to the NCAA Tournament, plus $30,000 for an NCAA regional final, $50,000 for the Frozen Four and $75,000 for winning it.

The 10 candidates announced today for the 2016 Hobey Baker Memorial Award honoring college hockey’s top player are: JT Compher, Michigan; Kyle Connor, Michigan; Thatcher Demko, Boston College; Zac Lynch, Robert Morris; Alex Lyon, Yale; Tyler Motte, Michigan; Alex Petan, Michigan Tech; Andrew Poturalski, New Hampshire; Ethan Prow, St. Cloud State; Jimmy Vesey, Harvard. The 10 finalists were selected by voting from all 60 Division I college hockey head coaches and by online fan balloting.

As of yesterday Bengals offensive tackle Andre Smith at No. 18 was Pro Football Talk’s highest ranked remaining NFL free agent without a contract or franchise tag. Smith is reportedly deciding between the Vikings and Cardinals.

Charles “Chip” Taylor, Jr. is the new Hamline head football coach replacing Chad Rogosheske who accepted the head job at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio to be nearer family. Taylor came to Hamline as defensive coordinator in 2013 when Rogosheske was named coach. Taylor’s resume includes summer internships with the NFL’s Cardinals and Chiefs.

The Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame hosts its 9th annual Minnesota Football Honors event April 17 at the Hilton Minneapolis. Among those to be recognized for awards are: Jon Christenson, University of Minnesota, Stein-Fallon Scholar-Athlete; Casey O’Brien, Cretin-Derham Hall High School, Courage Award; Joshua Gordon, Minnesota State University, Bobby Bell College Impact Player of the Year Award; Mohamed Mahamud, Washburn High School, Stacy Robinson Leadership Award ($2,000 scholarship); Stan Nelson, Bud Grant Distinguished Minnesotan Award; Grady Rostberg, Hutchinson High School, John Gagliardi Legacy; Missy Strauch, Augsburg University, Fred Zamberletti Award; Gene McGivern, University of St. Thomas, Sid Hartman Media Award; Minnehaha Academy, Highlight of the Year Award; Caledonia Area High School, Minnesota Football Program of the Year Award; 1975 Stillwater High School state football champions, Murray Warmath Legendary Team Award.

The following high school scholar-athlete award winners receive $2,000 scholarships: Matthew Biegler, Underwood High School; Isaac Collins, Maple Grove High School; Cory Dixon, Patrick Henry High School; Andrew Haldeman, Harding High School; Ethan Ishaug, Barnesville High School; Kiefer Miller, Nevis High School; Conner Olson, Monticello High School; Elijah Rice, St. Michael-Albertville High School.

The event is open to the public and includes a social hour starting at 5 p.m. followed by dinner and the awards program. More at Minnesotafootballhonors.com.

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