Danton Cole has been named assistant hockey coach at Bowling Green State University, BGSU head coach Scott Paluch has announced. Cole replaces Jamie Dumont, who was named associate head coach of the Junior Pirates’ AJHL team.
“I couldn’t be more excited about joining Scott and Ron at Bowling Green,” said Cole. “It is a great opportunity for me and my family to join the tradition with the Falcons.”
Cole comes to BGSU after serving as the head coach of the Motor City Mechanics for the past two seasons, where he compiled a 58-32-6 record.
“We are extremely excited to have Danton Cole join us here at Bowling Green,” said head coach Scott Paluch. “Danton brings a wealth of professional coaching experience and a great understanding of what it takes to be successful at the collegiate level.”
Prior to his time in the Motor City, Cole served as the head coach of Grand Rapids (AHL) for three seasons (2002-04). In his three seasons with the Griffins Cole recorded 133-85-18 (.602) record.
Cole received his first head coaching duty in 2001-02 with the Muskegon Fury (UHL), where he helped lead the team to a 48-22 overall record, as well as a league championship.
A native of Pontiac, Mich., Cole played four seasons for the Spartans of Michigan State. In his four years with MSU Cole compiled 163 points (69g, 94a) in 180 games and was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. The 180 games played as a Spartan is still a school record.
Cole played 11 seasons of professional hockey, including stints with the Jets, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks and winning the Stanley Cup with the Devils in 1995. Cole amassed 118 points and 125 penalty minutes in 318 NHL games.
