Rather than take a low-level head coaching job or even a position as a high-profile assistant, George Gwozdecky tells an Ohio newspaper he will likely spend the 2013-14 season in the broadcast booth.
Gwozdecky was fired at Denver April 1, in what most thought was an April Fools' joke. While firing a coach who brought two national championships to the Pioneers' hockey program in the past 10 seasons should be considered comical, Gwozdecky was, in fact, relieved of his duties by University of Denver vice chancellor for athletics and recreation Peg Bradley-Doppes.
Multiple head coaching jobs opened up at other schools around the country -- including UConn, Maine and Ohio State -- but Gwozdecky wasn't the right fit for any of the current positions.
Gwozdecky was back at Miami University this weekend -- where he got his D1 head coaching start -- for the Red Hawks' alumni weekend, and told Rick Cassano from the journal-news.com he's not done coaching.
"My coaching career is not done," Gwozdecky said Saturday. "It’s probably on hold for this year. I do have plans to be in the broadcast booth for different networks to cover college hockey."
College hockey is expected to receive a significant TV boost next season with conference realignment, so there should be plenty of opportunities for Gwozdecky to flash his fancy suits on national television.
The Big Ten Network is expected to broadcast between 40-50 games this season with the formation of the new Big Ten hockey conference. That's more than double the amount of games they showed on the network last season.
The newly formed NCHC has also acquired national TV rights through through the CBS Sports Network. The NCHC -- which features high profile programs North Dakota, Miami, Denver and Colorado College -- will have 18 games shown on the network during the 2013-14 campaign.
The other power conference, Hockey East, will also receive face time on a major network. New league member Notre Dame has an agreement in place with the NBC Sports Network to broadcast all Irish home games.
While Gwozdecky -- who played his college hockey for "Badger" Bob Johnson at Wisconsin -- won't be coaching this upcoming season, I'd expect multiple programs to target the former Denver coach heading into the summer of 2014.
"I’m leaving all doors open," Gwozdecky said. "I think my wife has earned the right to be picky. Together, we’re going to evaluate opportunities and see where that goes."
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