Michigan assistant coach Rob Rassey has been named head coach at Harvard, the school announced on Tuesday.
Rassey becomes the 12th head coach in program history after serving as assistant coach at Michigan the four seasons. He joined the staff in Ann Arbor in 2022 as an assistant and was elevated to associate head coach after his first season.
He replaces Ted Donato, who stepped down in May after amassing a 318–276–75 overall record in 20 seasons with the Crimson.
An assistant coach for the Crimson from 2013-19, Rassey helped guide Harvard to four NCAA tournament appearances, ECAC Hockey titles in 2015 and 2017, and a trip to the 2017 Frozen Four. Harvard was ranked in the top 15 in five of his six seasons in Cambridge, getting as high as No. 3 during the 2016-17 season.
“I am incredibly excited to be back and to be a part of this program again,” Rassey said in a statement. “Harvard has always held a special place in my heart, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help lead the next chapter of the program alongside such talented student-athletes.”
Upon leaving the Crimson in 2019 to become a scout with the Detroit Red Wings, Rassey took over as head coach and general manager of the Omaha Lancers of the USHL in 2021 before being named the head coach of the Sioux Falls Stampede before accepting the job at Michigan.
“We welcome Rob Rassey back with open arms and excitement for him to lead Harvard men’s hockey,” said Harvard athletic director Erin McDermott, via statement. “His belief in the educational and transformational model of college athletics, his proven drive to compete at a consistently high level, and his infectious energy as a leader, rose to the top of a highly competitive field of candidates.”
A graduate of Northeastern, Rassey played four seasons and 134 games for the Huskies from 2006-09.