Penn State names Dawes assistant coach, director of women’s hockey operations

After serving as an interim assistant coach last season, Alex Dawes has been named to the role of assistant coach/director of operations for the Penn State women’s team.

Dawes is entering his third season with the Nittany Lions.

“I am very excited to have Alex on board to continue the excellent work he did this past season,” PSU head coach Josh Brandwene said in a statement. “He’s an outstanding teacher, communicator and recruiter who always has a positive influence on our program.”

“I would personally like to thank Coach Brandwene, Dr. Kurtz, and athletic director Sandy Barbour for the opportunity to continue to be a part of the Penn State family,” Dawes added. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with our amazing student-athletes for two years now and they are prime examples of everything Penn State stands for in the classroom and on the ice. I cannot wait for our season to begin and I am honored to be a member of this staff.”

With the Nittany Lions, Dawes primarily works with defensemen, the penalty kill and video coaching. He also oversees the day-to-day operation of the program, including game scheduling, away trip management, home game-day coordination and hockey technology.

A 2012 graduate of Utica, he served as assistant coach/director of hockey operations for the Pioneer men’s team from 2009 to 2012. Prior to Utica, Dawes spent his freshman year, 2008-09, at Vermont as the director of hockey operations.