Bob Haskins is leaving the Rochester Lourdes boys hockey program the same way he inherited it -- in great shape.
After 10 years with the program -- the first five as an assistant coach and the past five as head coach -- Haskins tendered his resignation on Monday to Lourdes Activities Director Marv Peters.
Haskins cited a desire to spend more time watching his four children play hockey, and possibly helping to coach their youth teams.
"I love coaching high school hockey," Haskins said. "I still have the same passion and drive for it, but as this past season went on and I missed more and more of my kids' activities, it weighed on me.
"I realized it's time to take that passion and drive and apply it to my kids and their teams."
Haskins' teams went 82-42-10 in his five seasons as the Eagles' head coach.
He has worked at IBM for the past 10 years. He first came to Rochester in 1989 to play for the United States Hockey League's Rochester Mustangs. From there, he played for four seasons at Hamline University in St. Paul, where he set career and single-season scoring records.
"We got five great years from Bob as an assistant and five great years as our head coach," Peters said.
Haskins' decision couldn't have been an easy one for a coach who always put his players first, crediting the players when the Eagles performed well and placing blame on himself when they didn't.
"The way he treated his team, it fit in well with the Lourdes philosophy of taking care of the kids," Peters said. "He was always fair to his players; he always treated everyone fairly."
Haskins became Lourdes' head coach in the 2002-03 season, taking over for Jay Ness.
The Eagles went 22-5-3 in Haskins' first season. After capturing a section championship and beating Hibbing in overtime in a state quarterfinal game, Lourdes lost a double-overtime heartbreaker in the state semifinals to Simley. The Eagles then fell to Orono by one goal in the third-place game.
Lourdes hasn't returned to state since, but it's not due to a lack of talent. The Eagles have had to battle through one of the most difficult sections in the state -- Section 3A, which includes perennial powers St. Thomas Academy and Red Wing.
In the past four years, Lourdes has lost three one-goal games in the section tournament, including a double-overtime defeat to STA in the 2005 section final.
Whoever takes over for Haskins -- that decision will be made in the coming weeks -- will have plenty of talent to work with.
"Together with the coaches over the past 10 years we've built something special," Haskins said, "and we've tried to build each year. Whoever takes over will have a good program."
Lourdes had eight seniors on this season's roster, including talented defenseman Bayode Adafin and the top line of Josh Anderson, Eric Amundson and Brandon Bahnemann.
However, a talented group of sophomores will make Lourdes a force to be reckoned with again, specifically forwards Tyler Voigt (39 points), Cole Peterson (36) and Taylor Funk (29), who were the Eagles' second-, third- and fourth-leading scorers this past season.
"The most difficult thing for me is to say goodbye to this incredible group of kids," Haskins said. "They become like an extended family. To not be around them in practice every day next season will be difficult."
Haskins at a glance:
Bob Haskins was the head boys hockey coach at Rochester Lourdes for five seasons. He took the Eagles to one state tournament and twice to the section championship game:
2002-03: 22-5-3, section champs, fourth at state
2003-04: 10-13-3, lost 2-1 in 2 OT to South St. Paul in section semifinal.
2004-05: 15-11-1, lost 2-1 in 2 OT to St. Thomas Academy in section final.
2005-06: 14-9-2, lost 5-2 to STA in section semifinal.
2006-07: 21-4-1, lost 3-2 to Red Wing in section semifinal.
1st head coaching change in 5 years so it's been pretty stable. 5 as an asst. prior to that.
Not aware of a coaching change, works at IBM and just wanted more time with a growing family which goes all to fast. He felt he could no longer give 100% of his time and dedicate nearly all 12 months to the program. I'm sure he will be missed dearly by all of the Lourde Eagles but they should have a nucleas of players and whoever steps in should have some coachable kids to work with.
Haskins has probably spent the longest stretch at Lourdes since Gene Campbell, this will be their 4th coach in 10 years or so. I don't think there is a problem there, they just haven't hired teachers so the job just hasn't been to stable.
Best of luck in the future, and congrats for all the past success, Coach Haskins.
I didn't have a son that played for him, didn't have to deal with him on a daily basis, but from a professional standpoint, he was an awesome representative of Lourdes, imo. Yes, he had good talent every year, but that does not always insure success. He developed good individuals into good teams, year in and year out.
Came across to this opponent as a classy individual who spent his time teaching, instead of whining or griping. A very humble individual who knew the game was bigger than him.
Once again, not asking for an argument, just giving an observation from someone who faced him every year. He was a coach other coaches respected. I bet we'll see him back behind the bench someday, somewhere.
Crookston's coach resigned on monday, the assistant coach resigned also, and the athletic director resigned the week before. any hope for Crookston hockey??
TRF must like people with a Crookston connection running their athletic program, the new hiring makes it two in a row now.
Doc Biermeier is a classy guy, always has been. I wish him the best of luck in his new post and he will bust his tail to serve TRF well. But you do know he will be wearing Navy underneath that Royal.
The Pirates will hire a new AD first. I doubt the outgoing AD will have anything to do with finding the new "Hockey Admiral". It'll be fun to watch the process unfold.
No worries, changes in leadership behind the bench and the front office won't curtail the '07-'08 fleet from assembling and pilaging them Northern Waters.
