Terry the Terrier: A Dark-horse candidate to replace Jack Parker at BU

After 40 years and nearly 900 wins, Boston University men's hockey coach Jack Parker will announce his retirement today, his 68th birthday, at a press conference at 3PM.

BU Legend Jack Parker (photo: USA Today)

Parker has produced a long line of NHL players, including five time NHL All-Star Tony Amonte and Rick Meagher, brother of Bowdoin head coach Terry Meagher. Terry himself played under Parker from 1973-76, garnering 142 points (74-68-142) in Parker's first three years as the head man at BU. In all three years as a Terrier, Meagher lost in the semifinals of the Frozen Four, including twice to Herb Brooks' Minnesota teams (74, 76).

The NCAA D-1 men's tournament used to have a consolation game for the two teams vanquished in the semis.  In all three years at BU, Meagher faced off against Ivy League opponents in this game. The Terriers took care of Harvard in 74, 7-5, and dismantled the Crimson, 10-5, in 75. In his senior season, BU lost to the beloved (to me at least) Brown Bears in an 8-7 shootout.

The list of potential replacements for Parker is long and credentialed. David Quinn, a former associate head coach under Parker (and player) and current Colorado Avalanche assistant, is considered by many to be the front runner.

But what about Terry Meagher? While there is no indication that he is being considered for the job or that he would even want it, we can speculate (thanks, internet). Terry the Terrier not only played at BU but he also comes from BU bloodline (in addition to Rick, their brother Tony also played under Parker). Furthermore, he brings three decades of experience running a successful hockey program in New England and sits in the top 25 of career wins for a collegiate coach.  After Bowdoin's loss to Utica on Saturday, Pioneer coach Gary Heenan called Meagher a "legend." BU would be silly not to do their due diligence and look into Coach Meagher as a potential candidate.

While Meagher would likely be the only NESCAC coach to be considered for the job, the conference is no stranger to BU or coaches on the all time wins list.  Blaise MacDonald, who just finished his first year as Colby head coach, spent six years as an associate head coach at BU under Jack Parker from 1990-1996.

Current Middlebury coach Bill Beaney has 581 career wins(most, but not all with the Panthers) and has led Middlebury to eight D-III national championships. Former Trinity head coach (and Brown Alum) John Dunham lead the Bantams to 441 wins in his tenure in Hartford from 1974-2007. Dunham coached current Bantam coach, and 2013 NESCAC Coach of the Year, Matt Greason.

You can watch Jack Parker's retirement press conference on Terrier TV here.