These three coaches revitalized college hockey programs, achieving stunning turnarounds and leading their teams to unprecedented success.
College hockey has a cyclical nature about it. Many times, a new coach kickstarts positive changes with a program. That is certainly the case for these three bench bosses, who have taken their respective institutions to new heights since arriving within the last three seasons. They will be listed in alphabetical order by last name.
David Berard: Stonehill College
Stonehill College has come a long way in a very short time since leveling up to Division I. This is due in large part to David Berard who joined the program for the 2024-25 season. Berard has extensive experience as Director of Hockey Operations/Vice President at Providence College and Head Coach at College of the Holy Cross gives Stonehill a massive asset for their young program.
Additionally, Berard's phenomenal use of the transfer portal and selective recruiting took the Skyhawks up from 2 wins to 12 in his first season as Head Coach. Unlike most schools, Stonehill hasn't gone out and recruited everyone they can get their hands on. Rather, they have a specific archetype of players they want and they pursue them aggressively.
Mike Harder: Colgate University
When Don Vaughn retired after 19 seasons with the Raiders in 2023, there were questions on how Colgate move forward. However, the Raiders didn't look too far, selecting alumnus and previous assistant coach Mike Harder. Harder played for the Raiders from 1993-1997 and served an assistant coach from 2013-19. Bringing in Harder was a great continuation of Vaughn's legacy, seeing that they both understand the defensive identity of Colgate hockey.
Every year since Harder took over, the Raiders have moved up a spot in the ECAC. After seven of their top players departed for professional hockey before the start of this season, the Raiders dropped from second to seventh. Still Colgate rallied to beat Yale the ECAC's Opening Round before falling to Dartmouth in the Quarterfinal. Harder was able to get a 50% underclassmen roster to perform well in a tough conference this year.
With more defensive recruits including Tobias Ohman, Andrew O'Sullivan and Nathan Larioza on the way, I am eager to see how he continues to help Colgate trend in the right direction.
Miami University head hockey coach Anthony Noreen draws a drill he designed at Goggin Ice Center in Oxford, Ohio, on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Noreen said the drill was inspired by soccer drills created by Pep Guardiola.Anthony Noreen: Miami University
The biggest story in college hockey outside of Gavin McKenna joining Penn State was easily Miami University. After a carryover rebuilding season in 2024-25, Anthony Noreen had his ducks in a row for 2025-26. In the course of less than a year, the RedHawks went from 3-28-3 to 18-6-2, Miami's first winning record since 2014-15. Noreen's excellent recruiting helped this massive resurgence, bringing in players like Ilia Morozov, David Deputy and Matteo Drobac to name a few. I spoke with Noreen back in November telling me his message as head coach. "I wanted to implant an unwavering belief that we are going to get this program back to where I think anyone who knows it and has been around it and has seen it believes that it can be.” It's safe to say that his belief has manifested into reality with a nomination for NCHC Coach of the Year.