Harvard has hired Rob Rassey for its head coaching position, the school announced today. Rassey is a former assistant coach for the Crimson. The hiring was reported last week by Mike McMahon of College Hockey Insider among others, but was not made official until today. 

“We welcome Rob Rassey back with open arms and excitement for him to lead Harvard Men’s Hockey,” Harvard Director of Athletics Erin McDermott said Tuesday. “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. We are proud to have Rob join us and to represent the Harvard Crimson as our next head coach."

Rassey served as an assistant coach at Harvard from 2013 to 2019. In that time, the team reached four straight NCAA tournaments as well as the Frozen Four in 2017. The Crimson also won two ECAC championships. Rassey graduated with a master's degree in management from Harvard in 2019.

Rassey's most recent role was at Michigan, where he served as associate head coach. He joined the Wolverines as an assistant coach at the beginning of current coach Brandon Naurato's tenure in 2022 and was elevated to associate coach at the end of the season. Rassey's responsibilities included running the penalty kill and scouting and recruiting future players. Last season, Michigan was tied for the NCAA lead in shorthanded goals with 11, though the penalty kill overall was ranked 33rd at 80.5%, which was the highest of his tenure. Rassey was particularly active as a scout and recruiter — sometimes to the chagrin of other coaches. 

In January, Rassey signed an extension with the Wolverines which would have paid him at least $224,000 through the 2027-28 season. 

In the past, Rassey also worked for the Red Wings and served as head coach of the USHL's Omaha Lancers and Sioux Falls Stampede. He played collegiate hockey at Northeastern from 2006-2009, where he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in business administration. 

The Crimson began their head coaching search on May 7 when former head coach Ted Donato announced he would be stepping away from the program. Harvard finished sixth in the ECAC with a conference record of 11-10-1 and an overall record of 16-16-2. 

Michigan will now begin a search for another associate head coach.