Three Division III schools have all recently made head coaching changes, USCHO has learned.
Babson coach Paul Donato has resigned his position, according to the school. Sports Information Director Chris Buck said Donato will continue to manage the Babson Skating Center, the Beavers’ home rink, but has ended his 11-year tenure as head coach, where he amassed a record of 120-110-20. He was named ECAC Coach of the Year in 2000-2001.
“We’ve begun a search for his replacement,” said Buck. “The job’s been posted.” Donato could not be reached for comment.
At Massachusetts-Boston, Mike Bertoni was named head coach on June 1. He had been interim coach for the Beacons since Jack Foley stepped down from the position midway through last season due to medical reasons. Foley was 2-33-2 in one and one half seasons behind the bench. Bertoni was 1-12 as an interim coach last season.
“Coach Bertoni has worked extremely hard to prepare himself for this extraordinary opportunity at a very young age, said UMass-Boston athletic director Charlie Titus. “He has obtained the requisite skills and technical knowledge to be successful.
“He is fully committed to returning our hockey program to its rightful place of prominence among the elite Division III hockey playing institutions in New England.”
Bertoni is a former Beacons player, scoring 30 points in 83 games. He captained the team during his senior season in 2001-2002. He then moved behind the bench as an assistant coach the next season.
“It is an honor to be named head men’s ice hockey coach at an institution that I consider my home,” said Bertoni.
“The team looks to improve. It is going to be a challenge, but we feel that with a team commitment we will allow ourselves to accomplish the goals that we have established as we look to move forward with our program.”
Hamline announced this week that coach Pat Cullen has stepped down after five seasons at the helm. He was 35-83-7, including a 7-7-2 conference record in 2002-2003, the team’s best finish in 16 years.
Hamline was just 1-15 in the conference, 3-22 overall, last season.
Cullen was not available for comment. School officials say they will start conducting interviews for the vacant position in July.
