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This past summer, Jamie Russell had the chance to coach his alma mater's hockey team, while former Red assistant Scott Garrow ironically faced the opposite opportunity -- leave the university at which he used to play.
Both eventually accepted their offers, as Garrow was announced as a new men's hockey assistant coach on June 4, replacing Russell, who had been a fixture for four years. Russell accepted the head coaching position at his alma mater, Michigan Tech.
Russell was approached
in May by Michigan Tech's athletic director and later went for an interview.
A few weeks later, he was named head coach.
Although Russell did have an enjoyable time on the Lynah bench, he admitted
the chance to become his alma mater's head coach was "an offer I couldn't
refuse."
"I couldn't have seen myself leave Cornell for another assistant coach job," Russell said. "I have strong feelings for the players ... [my] experience in Cornell is something I'll never forget." Ticketmaster
Head coach Mike Schafer had no hard feelings toward Russell's departure and said that he "was extremely happy for him."
"You get into the business for a lot of different reasons, but one of the goals is to eventually be the head coach," Schafer said.
Russell helped recruit many of the current players, including senior forward Greg Hornby, who said that the departing coach was "a big part of our success."
"I was a little disappointed [that he left], but it was the best thing for him," Hornby said. Ticketmaster
Garrow is not a stranger to Cornell, as he served as an assistant coach for the Red from 1995-99 before moving to his own alma mater, Western Michigan. According to Schafer, after Russell announced his move, he discussed possible replacements with assistant coach Brent Brekke and Garrow was one of the first coaches considered.
"Mike gave me a call and asked if I'd be interested," Garrow recalled. "It was a good move for [me]. It's a chance to get back into the national spotlight."
Garrow played an instrumental role in recruiting players including Stephen Baby and brothers Matt and Mark McRae, a fact which brings him "instant credibility" with the team, according to Schafer.
"He really knows Cornell University, knows how to recruit in the Ivy League ... he's proven as a coach in Western Michigan," Schafer said. "It's been a great transition for us, and that's very important." Ticketmaster
Garrow said he will mainly work with the forwards and pass his own experience with the position he played in college. Schafer said one of Garrow's main advantages is that he is not afraid to speak his mind on different issues and bring up his own opinion.
The new assistant said he watched all of last year's playoff games and kept in contact with Schafer and Brekke. Although his interaction with the players thus far has been brief, the players are excited to work with Garrow. Ticketmaster
"Coach Garrow seems like a great guy," Hornby said. "He was previously at Cornell so he's experienced ... I don't think he'll have trouble [adjusting] at all."