Ramsey: CC's AD still believes in Owens
Scott Owens is in a slump.
But if you’re a fan of Owens and his coaching style, there’s no reason to worry. He’s in good standing – make that great standing – with his athletic director.
No doubt, times have been tough, or at least relatively tough in Tiger-land.
Colorado College hasn’t won an NCAA Tournament game since 2005, and in three of the past four seasons the team has failed to play in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s Final Five.
Under Owens' direction, the Tigers twice won 30 games. In three of the past four seasons, they haven’t won 20.
I asked CC athletic director Ken Ralph if recent struggles alarm him.
“No,” he said. “I would love to say that it does because it would make good copy.
“We have expectations and we’re going to hold Scott accountable for those expectations but the expectations we have for our hockey program are deeper than just wins and losses.”
Even after two stormy seasons, Ralph remains fiercely supportive of Owens. This makes sense. Owens can construct elite teams. He averaged 27 wins from 2000-2005 and during that breezy five-season sprint he won five NCAA Tournament games and traveled to the Frozen Four.
Ralph believes good days are ahead. Freshmen goaltender Joe Howe and forward Rylan Schwartz return, and heralded recruit Jaden Schwartz (Rylan’s brother) is on the way to rescue the offense.
Jaden, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound forward, has collected 78 points (31 goals and 47 assists) this season for the Tri-City Storm of the USHL, and he’s expected to go as high as the first round of the upcoming NHL draft.
He’s only 17.
“A super talent,” Owens said.
With Howe and the Schwartz brothers leading the way, the wins and the trips to the NCAA Tournament will return, Ralph said.
His optimism has weight. Owens, master recruiter, hasn’t gone anywhere. This is, remember, the same coach who recruited Mark Stuart, Peter Sejna, Marty Sertich, Brett Sterling and Richard Bachman.
Yet the future isn’t the main anchor for Ralph’s support. Ralph dislikes talking about Owens strictly in the context of CC’s record.
“To just say wins and losses are your primary criterion is too narrow for an academic institution like Colorado College,” Ralph said.
To Ralph’s eyes, Owens walks the proper path. The AD wonders about coaches who shout at officials or players in public.
“I think far too many coaches are not acting appropriately,” Ralph said. “…You see George Gwozdecky running across the ice to yell at an official.”
Gwozdecky is, of course, coach of the Denver Pioneers. He earned a reprimand in the 2008-2009 season from his athletic director after taking a long walk across the ice at North Dakota to express displeasure with officials.
Ralph wants everyone to remember Owens declines to indulge in such impolite behavior.
“First and foremost,” Ralph said, “coaches are educators. … I appreciate his demeanor. It’s the approach of an educator. He’s not going to berate officials. He’s not going to berate kids in public.
“As an educator, I think that’s incredibly important to do, and yet some people look at it as a sign of weakness.”
I agree with Ralph.
Owens is steady. He keeps a tight grip on his emotions. He believes in the power and value of education. All of this is quite impressive.
Still, he needs to end his drought in the NCAA Tournament. He needs to travel to the Final Five. He needs more victories next season.
He’s not teaching chemistry. He’s coaching a hockey team.
And he’s paid, first and foremost, to win.
