Ed Gosek Interview

Interview with Ed Gosek, Coach of Oswego State, 2007 Division III National Champs

By Chuck Gridley

Ed Gosek has been the head coach of the Oswego State Lakers since 2003, and has a career record of 96-31-13 in five seasons and most recently led Oswego State to the NCAA Division III men's ice hockey championship in 2007. It was the first team national championship in the school's athletics history, and Gosek was honored with the Edward Jeremiah Award by the American Hockey Coaches Association as the Men's Division III Ice Hockey Coach of the Year. He was named SUNYAC Coach of the Year in 2005 and his Lakers have finished atop the SUNYAC standings in the last three regular seasons, 1^st in 20006 and 2007, and 2^nd in 2008.

(Chuck) – “First of all, congratulations on your National Title in 2007.   So much goes into winning a national championship...talent, good coaching, a little luck.  What do you think contributed to your run?”  

(Coach Gosek) –“Along with the above, this team was a very talented, hard working team, with great senior leadership.  The team chemistry was outstanding and the player’s ability to accept their roles within the team were major factors in our success.  We also had championship goal tending and gritty performances by our key players.”

(Chuck) – Is “team chemistry” something you think about in the recruiting process?

(Coach Gosek) - When recruiting we recruit to fill our needs. Chemistry is built from the players you recruit.  You cannot have a team of players that 'think' they are 50 goal scorers - nor can you have a team of 4th liners.  I look for players that are quality individuals and will accept their role within the team.

(Chuck) –“How has winning the title changed your recruiting?”  

(Coach Gosek) –“The number of student athletes contacting us has increased dramatically.  Our main areas of recruiting stayed the same as we continue to bring in the best possible student athletes available to our program.” 

(Chuck) – “What do your practices look like?”  

(Coach Gosek) –“Typical practices:   5-10 minute mini-game - 3v3 etc for our warm up/ stretch - followed by a 20-30 minute skill/fundamental session.  Depending on the day the last 30-40 minutes is devoted to team play and systems.  The hockey season is long; we try to keep our practices between 1 hr. – 1 hr. 15 min. up tempo practices.  Our goalies receive two separate 1 hour sessions each week with our goalie coach Peter Sears. 

(Chuck) – “You were an assistant coach for a number of years. How has assuming the role of head coach changed your life?”  

(Coach Gosek) – “After 13 years as an assistant and being comfortable in that role, I realize now that an assistant has time to concentrate on just the Hockey.  The increased responsibility and administrative duties to oversee the entire program (hockey, athletic dept., booster club, alumni) consumes your entire day and is more than just hockey.  I have been fortunate to surround myself with good knowledgeable hockey people.  The major change is that my job has become my life, and I am enjoying that change.” 

(Chuck) –“You coached youth hockey for many years. What are some of the biggest differences between coaching youth hockey and coaching at the college level?”  

(Coach Gosek) –“One of the main differences is that you are able to recruit the players that you want to represent you both on and off the ice.  There is no one to blame but yourself if success is not achieved. At both levels, I am a firm believer that how your players perform and behave both on and off the ice is a direct reflection of the coaching staff.  It is very troublesome to me when I see youth coaches placing too much emphasis on winning and not enough on skill development and fun!  Even at the college level where winning has a stronger emphasis, I still do not believe it is EVERYTHING.” 

(Chuck) – “Many youth coaches dream of coaching at the college level someday. What advice would you give them?”  

(Coach Gosek) –“I am very fortunate to be one of the approximately 140 college coaches in the country.  I began coaching minor hockey to stay involved in hockey.  I became very involved in the USA Hockey coaching program.  I volunteered and taught for many years to put myself in a position to be chosen as a head coach.  I was also fortunate to have a good hockey program in my back yard.  I was fortunate to have great coaches before me that mentored and taught me how to be successful.  If coaches are serious in getting involved in the college game, they should look at becoming a volunteer assistant at a college/university within their area.  Volunteer at summer camps to get coaching experience.  Get involved with USA Minor Hockey and coach kids in their area.  Surround yourself with the experience that colleges will look for in their coaches. 

(Chuck) –“You have 2 kids, right? Are they interested in playing hockey? Would you like to coach your kids someday?  

(Coach Gosek) –“Neither of my children play hockey.  My wife and I try to coach our children daily in how to be successful in life.  The same teachings I would hope any parent would stress.    The demands of coaching at the college level do not leave much time to spend attending all the activities they are involved in, let alone to coach one of their teams.    To answer “would I like to coach them” - the answer would be that I do coach them and I feel they can take my coaching, along with the coaching/teaching of others, and hopefully be successful.

For more information on the USA Hockey ACE Program, go to http://www.usahockey.com//Template_Usahockey.aspx?NAV=CO_06&ID=19620.

For comments, or suggestions for future topics for “Coaches Clipboard” contact Chuck Gridley at chuckgridley@aol.com.