Miami assistant coach Chris Bergeron will take over as Bowling Green’s head coach, the Falcons athletic department announced Monday.
Bergeron, an assistant at Miami since 2000, helped his alma mater to the Frozen Four the last two seasons.
He takes over for Dennis Williams, who was the interim head coach last season following the departure of Scott Paluch to USA Hockey.
“Chris’ passion, energy and commitment to excellence won us over,” Bowling Green athletic director Greg Christopher said in a news release. “As a player he set the foundation for Miami’s program, then as a coach he helped build the program to its current championship caliber. At every stage, Chris has been known as a tremendous leader. This is his time to step into a head coaching role and lead Bowling Green hockey to prominence.”
The Falcons haven’t had a winning season since 1996-97 and haven’t been to the NCAA tournament since 1990 under Jerry York.
There have been questions about the program’s health, but the athletic department has launched a fundraising campaign to endow scholarships and pay for facility upgrades.
“I’m very excited to be a part of putting Bowling Green back where it belongs in the hockey world,” Bergeron said. “My family and I are looking forward to becoming part of the Bowling Green community. What excites me the most, though, is seeing how hungry everyone is to make Bowling Green hockey successful again.”
The Falcons program peaked in 1984 with a national championship.
