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New coach could be hired in two weeks
By Douglas Hamm
dhamm@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON — Bloomington PrairieThunder general manager Jerry McBurney said Friday he will begin interviewing candidates next week for the team’s vacant head coaching job and “hopefully” fill the position within a month.

“Right now we’re in the process of collecting resumes and analyzing candidates,” McBurney said. “We’ve conducted four telephone interviews, and we’re bringing in three guys next week to do face-to-face interviews.

“Our original time frame was six to eight weeks, but I would like to have it done in the next two weeks from a recruiting standpoint because we want to get rolling for next season. I’m having some conversations with players at this time, updating guys on how the coaching search is going. I’m giving them the indication we’ll have it done hopefully in two weeks, four weeks at the most.”

McBurney declined to identify the candidates, adding “there’s a lot of interest” in the job.

“Some of them are still currently under contract with other teams, so I can’t say anything from that standpoint,” McBurney said. “I’ve received 15 resumes at this point. We’ve got quite a few candidates with a wide array of experience both playing and coaching.”

The position became open last week when the team did not renew the contract of Derek Booth, who was Thunder head coach for the franchise’s first two seasons. Booth compiled a 56-83-13 record, finishing in last place and missing the playoffs both seasons.

“Outside of the ability to coach players, the number one thing we’re looking for is the ability to recruit,” McBurney said. “We want someone who has the relationships with current players out there and their agents. They all know the game and have their systems. The most important aspect is getting the right guys in to run their systems.”

Veteran forward Don Parsons is the only Thunder player under contract for the upcoming International Hockey league season. While Parsons has expressed interest in becoming a coach, McBurney said he isn’t being considered for the position.

“We’ve been talking with him, but not as a candidate,” McBurney said. “He’s been in the business so long and he has played in so many places. If he’s had experience with some of these candidates, we’ve used him as a sounding board. He has been a great resource in the process.”

Take a look
PrairieThunder fowards Brett Holmberg (19) and John Nail (15) defend against Kalamazoo's Nick Bootland in the first period April 6, 2008, at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington. (The Pantagraph/Lori Ann Cook)
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Reader comments on this story - 2 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Rozanne wrote on May 25, 2008 11:38 AM:

" I know hat almost all the guys from last season enjoy playing here in Bloomington like it here in our town because, of how the fans are and also they feel the warm welcome. The season tickets will sell alot more if most of the guys return.
Happy fans means more season ticket holder. All the guys enjoy the booster club & the kids & the older people, because of how friendly everyone is to them.
Please if them a chance to respond. The team will only get better with most of the same players. Anyone else who supports this thought send you own message "

Rozanne wrote on May 24, 2008 8:22 AM:

" To Bloomington PrairieThunder general manager Jerry McBurney, I am asking from the bottom of my heart that, you send a letter to most of the guys from the last season and give them a chance, respond first. I believe that at the last of the season almost all the guys were playing very good as team. If most them return it will increase the chances as knowing each other. We when out with a really great bunch of guys who played great. The fans would like to see familar faces from last year. "
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