Umass-Amherst athletic director Bob Marcum announced Friday that the school will not renew the contract of head coach Joe Mallen.
The eighth-place Minutemen, who capped off the season with a first-round loss to Boston University in the Hockey East playoffs, compiled a record of 11-20-5, 5-15-4 in league play.
Mallen finishes his tenure at UMass with a seven-year record of 77-144-18.
“We appreciate Coach Mallen’s contributions in restoring our ice hockey program after 14 years,” said Marcum. “At the same time, based on the facilities and resources we have available, we feel it is necessary to make a change to take the program to the next level.”
Mallen came to UMass in 1993 to head up a hockey program that had been reinstated after a 14-year absence. In his first season, with the team playing as an independent, Mallen led the Minutemen to a 20-9 record. The next year UMass began play in Hockey East. The Minutemen had their best finish ever in 1998-99, tying for sixth place in the league.
“Coach Mallen took on a difficult job, building a program from scratch and competing in one of the toughest leagues in the country,” said Chancellor David K. Scott. “He, his staff and his players have conducted themselves with class and dignity. His players have performed well in the classroom, and I believe the hockey program as a whole has represented the University admirably. The University is grateful for his contributions.”
Mallen’s contract expires on May 17. An interview committee will shortly begin the process of finding a replacement.
