Holy Cross’ Pearl linked to Harvard assistant job, source says

Paul Pearl has coached Holy Cross for 19 seasons (photo: Melissa Wade).

Paul Pearl is leaving Holy Cross after 19 seasons as head coach to become an assistant at Harvard, a source told USCHO on Wednesday.

Pearl declined to comment on the report of his move when reached by phone Wednesday night.

A 1989 graduate of Holy Cross, Pearl has a 297-293-69 career record at his alma mater.

He led the Crusaders to Atlantic Hockey regular season and playoff titles in 2004 and 2006, the latter leading to a first-round NCAA tournament upset of No. 1 seed Minnesota.

Pearl’s Holy Cross team also won a MAAC tournament title in 1999.

It isn’t the first time Pearl has been linked to a possible departure from Holy Cross.

In 2003, he announced he was leaving the program to become director of admissions and hockey coach at a Massachusetts prep school, only to change his mind a week later and sign a multi-year contract with Holy Cross.

Two years ago, he was reportedly offered the head coaching job at Massachusetts but turned it down.

Harvard is looking to fill a vacancy on Ted Donato’s coaching staff that opened when Albie O’Connell moved to an assistant’s role at Boston University.