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Is it just me, or does this head coaching decision feel like a very important one in the career of Forrest Karr?

Turnover isn’t cheap for any organization. At the very least, the $11,000+ in relocation expenses given to former coach Doc DelCastillo seem like money done the tubes after his one year tenure ended in still mysterious circumstances. Money is already tight with the athletic department after being ordered by the higher ups to keep their expenses next year equal to or less than those from this year, and one would imagine Kevin Patrick would come with relocation expenses of his own.

Add in the fact that attendance at the Carlson Center took a significant dip this season, and this decision looks even more important. Fans will fill the Carlson if there’s a winning product on the ice. Karr needs to find the man who can make that happen.

The choice is down to two: Patrick and Dallas Ferguson. Karr seems to be searching for as much input as he can find, from the search committee to the current players to the public forums. You can’t fault the man for seeking as many opinions as he can find.

While we’re at it, I’ll throw out one more: I’d look for a coach who has a history of bringing out the best in goaltenders, or at least a (very, very good) plan on how to accomplish that.

A strong goalie can conceal other flaws on a hockey team. College hockey fans saw a hot goalie carry Michigan State to the national title two years ago, and Fairbanks fans saw what Cody Reichard did for the Ice Dogs this season. As far as the Nanooks go, Chad Johnson has yet to live up to the great potential he showed his freshman year, when he posted a 2.56 goals against average. That number has climbed every season since, to 3.11 his sophomore year and 3.36 in his injury-shortened junior campaign.

That’s not the trend line anyone likes to see at the most important position in the game — one the next coach needs to fix

Still, Karr should take this advice like any he’s received — with a grain of salt. As a former college goalie, he knows what players look for in a coach, and he should have a good idea what it takes to succeed at this level. And, most importantly, should this hire not succeed, it’s not the fans, selection committee or debonair bloggers that people will point their fingers at. They will all point directly at Karr.

So, weighing all the input is fine, but he’d be a fool to go with anything other than who he feels is the best man for the job, no matter what everyone else says.

As for me, I’m torn. I proudly claim Wisconsin as my alma mater and one of the best memories from my time in the Badger state was Wisconsin’s national championship (my abject failure to buy a ticket to that game not withstanding). So, I’ve got to admit I have a soft spot for that team, and everyone associated with it. So my heart tells me K.P. is the man for the job. He should bring a wide array of recruiting contacts and the knowledge of what it takes to succeed at the highest levels.

But just the fact that my mind still isn’t made up yet, well, that shows there’s a lot to be said for Dallas. The man, for one, is the most likely to stay around. If he’s good at Alaska, he’ll probably be good at Alaska for a long time. He’s a known entity, so you know there won’t be any unpleasant surprises waiting. And he knows the players and they all seem to love him.

And I have no idea who would be best for the goalies. I really do think that would be the deciding factor for me.

But anyway, I’ve prattled on enough. What do you think? Patrick or Ferguson? I was going to tell you to vote at the bottom of this thread, but my guess is it will get more responses if I start a new one (which should be right on top of this post). So if you haven’t voted, click on over there and place your vote. I’m interested to hear what the fans have to say.