Tom Carroll, a former assistant coach at Notre Dame for 14 years, was named as the new head coach at Division III New England College.
“We are all very excited that Tom Carroll will be coaching the Pilgrims,” said athletic director Lori Runksmeier. “Tom’s coaching experience, recruiting expertise and coaching style should be a perfect fit to lead our student-athletes.”
Carroll replaces Scott Borek, who left in June to become associate head coach at New Hampshire after one season with the Pilgrims.
“We were very fortunate to have had such a talented group of candidates,” Runksmeier said. “Any of the three finalists would have done a terrific job. However, with the direction the program is heading in, Tom was the right person at the right time.”
The other two finalists are believed to have been Merrimack associate head coach Mike Doneghey and Plattsburgh associate head coach Kevin Houle.
Carroll is a 1984 graduate of Wisconsin and helped the Badgers to NCAA titles in 1981 and 1983 as well as a second-place finish in 1982. He earned a master’s degree from Notre Dame in 1996.
After beginning his coaching career at Culver Military Academy, Carroll moved on to Notre Dame, where he recruited and coached 19 NHL draft picks as well as six players who played in the World Junior Championships.
He then coached the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL for two seasons, setting a franchise record for wins. He has also been active with USA Hockey, serving as head coach for the Elite Development program and scouting for the US World Junior team.
This past season, Carroll worked as an independent scouting consultant for professional organizations and authored and published “Hockey’s Greatest Drills for Great Practices”.
“My family and I are thrilled to join the New England College community and hockey program,” said Carroll. “I am looking forward to building on the proud tradition of NEC.”
The Pilgrims have won 34 games over the last two seasons, including an ECAC East title in 2001.
Carroll becomes the 10th coach in school history.
