5-22-99. The Pilots Seat is commentary, written from a fan's perspective, about the Pensacola Ice Pilots
by Scott Gregory
4. The Buck Stops With the Coach.
Coaching is a tough business, and it certainly isn't always fair. The bottom line is that the coach must make sure the job gets done, no matter what happens on or off the ice.
The transition from player to coach is a rough one, especially so in hockey. That's why many NHL players shy away from the coaching ranks once their careers end. Look at the beating poor Dirk Graham took as coach of the Chicago Blackhawks this season. Fantastic career, tough as nails, everything you love in a hockey player. And a Blackhawk to the bone. Graham was in over his head, couldn't motivate his players, and
didn't last the season in Chicago.
I like Pilots coach Al Pedersen, and I want him to succeed. But I'm also deeply concerned. If he's going to last the long haul -- here or anywhere else in coaching -- he'll need to mentally distance himself more from his playing past and dive headfirst into the role of coach. Less big brother, more father. He's not one of the boys anymore.
Pedersen didn't get a lot of help from management this season, and some flat-out crazy things happened with this club. But I've never seen a hockey club respond so horribly on ice to off-ice events. Hockey players can't be that sensitive.
A coach can't let a team slip down the chute in the face of adversity. Healthy scratch 'em, make 'em practice at midnight, trade 'em ... whatever it takes to motivate the players and the team as a whole. He must make it happen, not have it all happen to him.
In addition, I'd like to see more focus on conditioning -- too many guys were out of shape. I don't give a hoot about the partying -- hey, I hope the boys have fun together. It's part of the bonding process. Just don't let it affect what happens on ice, which it did this season because of poor conditioning. If it starts to play a role, crack the whip. Respect for the game of hockey must not be lost.
Pedersen says he has learned a great deal and will change some things in his approach for the new season. Take charge, Beach. You're in command.
5. Re-evaluate and revamp scouting procedures.
If this means assistant coach George Kozak is on the road more than behind the bench, I'm all for it. But Pedersen and Kozak can do only so much. The Pilots had no scouting to speak of this season thanks to the front office, and this is not an area that can be neglected. GM Joe Bucchino and president Charles Felix need to make sure qualified people are in place to send better players this way to start the season, and to find help as the season goes on.
6. Strengthen Booster Support.
This breaks into two areas, the Pilots Fan Club and the players' fund.
First, the players' fund. In the ECHL, unlike the NCAA, boosters can pay the players and give gifts. While league rules are complex, the short of it is that anyone without connections to the team (this includes management, coaches and Fan Club officers) can solicit contributions to this fund. Any fans/salespeople out there?
If people outside the team step up and work on the fund's behalf to solicit money from those with deep pockets in town, the fund can take on a life of its own and help the team. The players get paid salaries as good or better than in other places, the team doesn't get the itch to step into this arena again (or pay illegal bonuses) ... everyone wins. In addition, someone can teach the players a little about the entrepreneurial spirit -- they can develop T-shirts and other products to sell to raise money.
I like what I see in the fan club. I think Barb Arnold did an admirable job during both a crummy season and club challenges from the first season. I'm glad the club has elected Tom Hoffman president and Cindy Nipple as v.p. for 1999-00. These two are intelligent, personable people who love the Pilots for the right reasons. They already have great ideas about how they can support the team and players under league rules as well as make club events fun. I hope each one of you will join this summer and give the new club a chance.
7. Take better care of fans.
This organization does next to nothing for its season-ticket holders. And you know what happens when people don't feel appreciated? They go away.
What was the benefit to owning season tickets this year? ... save a few bucks, a yawner of a car-phone deal and first crack at non-existent playoff tickets. These fans are great -- take care of them. How about special parking? More perks for fans in deals with corporate sponsors? Make fans feel special. It doesn't have to cost much money. Some ideas don't have to cost any money.
The Pilots started to get clued in at the end of the season by restricting some giveaways to season-ticket holders. Good start ... keep it up ... what else? (Also ... if I go into one more eating establishment with a ticket stub and they tell me, "Oh, that promotional deal was only for Wednesday," when nothing of the sort was ever said at
the Hangar ... c'mon, give the details.)
And let's get some more real fans on the ice during intermission events. Does everyone have to be kid, grandkid or friend of a corporate bigwig?
I also hope coaches and management will be more upfront with fans from now on. The long periods of silence from management were frustrating, as were the lack of explanations on the radio. Fans don't deserve one, "Geez ... I don't know," after another. They deserve answers. Anything else is unfair to those who pay their hard-earned
money and give their loyalty. It isn't always going to be rosy ... let's talk about problems and find solutions.
8. Form an affiliation.
Note that this is the eighth point, not one of the top few. If coaches and management in the sport can't agree whether this has more pros than cons, what good does it do for us to argue it until we're blue in the face? It works both ways for an ECHL team as far as players going up and down, but an affiliation certainly would help in attracting good, young players to Pensacola who have hopes of advancing in their hockey careers.
© Scott Gregory. All Rights Reserved. Gregory is a Pilots season
ticket holder from Navarre. He is a former Florida Gators football beat writer and sports editor for Copley Newspapers. He can be reached at scott@thefivehole.com. Comments are always welcome.
