Southern New Hampshire announced Friday that Sean Walsh has been hired as the sixth coach in program history.
Walsh will begin his duties with the Penmen on July 10.
“During the search process, the name ‘Sean Walsh’ kept coming up as a bright, up-and-coming, coach,” said SNHU associate athletics director and search committee chair Tom Wilkins in a statement. “When the search committee had Sean on campus, we were immediately impressed with his passion and energy. Sean is well-known in the hockey community as a hard-working recruiter with a strong knowledge of the game, and I’m excited to see the new direction the program will take under Sean’s leadership. The committee was comprehensive in its efforts to identify the right candidate and I appreciate the hard work the search committee put in.”
Added SNHU director of athletics and recreation Anthony Fallacaro: “Sean comes highly-recommended from some of the most respected and successful hockey coaches in the country, and we believe he is the right person to fulfill the mission and vision of both the university and our department. I am confident Sean can instill a new foundation for our hockey program that begins with the basics of all great programs: dedication in the classroom, a commitment to campus citizenship and community service, while always striving to achieve excellence on the ice. We expect great things from our hockey program, and I believe in Sean’s understanding that our culture off the ice will be the foundation for our success on the ice.
“We are not just creating a team for next year or the year after, but rather a program that can endure time and be something our administration, campus, fans and alumni can be proud of.”
Walsh comes to Southern New Hampshire after spending the past seven seasons as the top assistant at UMass Boston. Walsh oversaw recruiting, development of defensemen and goaltenders, and day-to-day operations. During his tenure, Walsh helped the program reach new heights, as the Beacons posted seven consecutive winning seasons and an overall record of 151-53-16. During the 2015-16 season, he was part of a coaching staff that led UMass Boston to its first-ever NCAA Division III Frozen Four, as well as its first NEHC regular-season and tournament titles since 1982.
“I’d like to thank Anthony Fallacaro, Tom Wilkins and the rest of the search committee for the opportunity to lead the ice hockey program at Southern New Hampshire University,” Walsh said in a news release. “I know there is a lot of work to be done and I am very excited about this opportunity. I’m happy to return to my alma mater and get started right away.”
Prior to joining the Beacons’ coaching staff, Walsh served as an assistant coach at Lawrence.
Walsh graduated from SNHU in 2006 with a degree in communications.
