By Jeff German, Head Coach, Denison University

The final buzzer sounds. The puck has barely settled in the back of the net before the weight of the moment crashes down. Three overtime periods! The first round of the playoffs! The dream we chased for months evaporates in an instant. The locker room is silent. Heads bowed. Gear strewn about in exhaustion and disbelief. Tears fill my eyes as I look around at my players. Most are too stunned to move. Others hiding their faces in their gloves. The sting is real. It’s palpable. It lingers longer than it should. For players, staff, and me, the emotional gut punch of a loss like this isn’t just about a game. It’s an existential moment. One that forces us to ask the hardest questions you can ask.

When is enough, enough? When do you walk away from a program after years of sacrifice? After pouring everything into a team, a culture, a vision? Or, when do you dig in, knowing that the best is yet to come?

The Assessment: Where We Excelled, Where We Fell Short

Every season tells a different story. For our team, this one was a tale of resilience, of pushing boundaries. This season was the story of growing into something bigger than ourselves. We embraced structure, built an identity, and established a standard that elevated our program. The results? We were competitive in every game. We developed players. We forged a culture that made people proud to wear the Denison Big Red sweater. That is success, even when the scoreboard says otherwise.

But we fell short too. We needed more consistent goaltending. We needed to be better defensively at times. Special teams weren’t where they needed to be. Our depth struggled in key moments. We lacked finish when it mattered most. Some decisions, both tactical and personnel-based, could have been better. As a staff, we were prepared. But did we do enough to inspire? To elevate? To push every player to their absolute best?

And then there’s me, the head coach. Did I give them everything I had? Could I have done more? Should I have called a timeout prior to the faceoff before the fateful goal was scored? It’s haunting! The offseason is supposed to be for rest. But for coaches, it’s often the time when doubt creeps in the most. In some ways, mentoring, coaching, and developing teams have become my very persona. It’s not just what I do, it’s how I’m defined. And, that makes these moments of reflection even more profound.

The Crossroads: Stay or Walk Away?

Every leader faces this moment. You’ve built something over years. Sometimes over a decade or more. You’ve established a culture. Recruited the right people. Developed talent. Fought for respect. But is it time to move on?

Walking away isn’t quitting. It’s knowing when you’ve taken something as far as you can and having the self-awareness to recognize when fresh energy is needed. It’s not about frustration or burnout. It’s about impact. Are you still the right person for this job? Are you still the one to take it to the next level?

And right now, I honestly don’t know the answer. The road ahead is steep. Next season, we face our toughest challenge yet. We’re entering a new conference. A league so competitive, with schools so large, that some of their freshman Writing 101 classes will have more students than our entire campus of 2,300. No longer will we be the team to beat. We will be swimming with sharks, facing teams with better facilities, deeper rosters, and institutional advantages we can’t match. The challenge feels overwhelming, and yet, there is a fire within me that wonders if this is where I’m meant to dig in my heels and push forward.

The reality is this: ten seniors have left, taking with them leadership, experience, and production. We’re rebuilding, reloading, and reimagining what success will look like. But new recruits are coming in-hungry, talented, eager to prove themselves. The program has momentum, and I can feel that momentum coursing through me. But is that enough?

Holding ground after losing ten seniors is no small task. It means reinventing, rebuilding, and reasserting our identity in a much more competitive landscape. We’ve built something here at Denison and it’s something worth fighting for. But am I the one to lead them through this?

Life Lessons from the Rink

This is about more than just hockey; it’s about leadership. It’s about recognizing the right moments to pivot, to push forward, and to reinvent yourself. The same principles apply to life. Here are the key factors guiding my decision:

·       Self-Assessment is Everything. If you aren’t questioning your performance, you aren’t growing. Great leaders, whether in sports or life, are constantly evaluating their impact. Ask yourself: Are you still the best person for the job, or is it time to evolve?

·       Success is a Moving Target. Achievements don’t guarantee sustainability. Complacency kills momentum. Whether leading a team or pursuing personal growth, every season presents a new challenge. Adapt or risk falling behind. Are you ready to face the next hurdle, or has your time passed?

·       Emotion vs. Logic. Losses are gut-wrenching, but decisions need to be made with a clear head. Sometimes, a loss makes you want to burn everything down. Other times, it reignites your fire. The key is knowing which emotion is leading the charge. Do you make decisions based on a fleeting feeling or a grounded vision?

·       The Future Matters More Than the Past. Nostalgia can be comforting, but it doesn’t win championships or drive success. If the road ahead is still filled with opportunity and challenge, it’s worth the fight. If it’s stagnant, it may be time to move on. Don’t let the past dictate your future; recognize when the landscape has shifted.

·       Adapt or Fall Behind. Entering one of the toughest conferences in the country means adjusting everything. Our recruiting strategies. Our preparation. Our mindset. Just like in life, when circumstances shift, the only way to succeed is to evolve. Is your current path still aligned with where you want to go?

·       Your Identity is Built Through Others. Leadership isn’t just a title. It’s an extension of who you are. Helping others reach their potential. Guiding a team to greater heights. Building something that lasts. That’s what keeps me coming back. In the end, our legacy isn’t in the numbers. It’s in the people we influence. Are you still lifting others up, or have you outgrown your current role?

The Thrill of What’s Next

Yes, losing in triple overtime crushed me. But it also reminded me why I do this. It reminded me of the responsibility I have to these players and this staff. Next season brings new challenges. New talent. A chance to prove that we belong among the best.

The easy road would be to walk away. To say I’ve done my part and let someone else take over. But that’s not who I am. The fight isn’t over. The climb is steeper than ever. But the view from the top will be worth it.

Maybe next year, the overtime goal goes our way. And if it doesn’t? Well, we’ll be ready to chase it all over again. For now, the decision is still with me. It’s looming and it’s real. I don’t know if I’m done yet. But I do know that the next chapter will be written, whether I’m leading it or not. Life finds a way. Like a finger in a cup of water, if you remove it, the void is quickly filled. It’s a humbling thought, but one that reminds me of the choice that lies ahead. It’s a reminder that leadership-like all roles in life-is about impact. If you’re still creating ripples, maybe there’s a chance.