Guy Gadowsky is Penn State’s first varsity men’s coach.
Gadowsky, who has been head coach at Princeton and Alaska, will lead the Nittany Lions program when it gets started in the 2012-13 season, the school announced on Sunday.
He will be formally introduced at a news conference Monday.
Minnesota-Duluth’s Scott Sandelin and Wisconsin women’s coach Mark Johnson are among the others reported to have interviewed for the Penn State job.
“Guy is the perfect choice for Penn State,” said Penn State president Graham Spanier in a statement. “He has been immensely successful, is a great motivator, knows how to build programs, and has strong academic values.”
“Pursuing success with honor. Building tradition. Achieving excellence. As we launch our hockey program at the Division I level, these are the on and off-ice expectations, and Guy Gadowsky has successfully accomplished these goals and more throughout his career. We welcome Guy and his family to Hockey Valley,” added Penn State director of athletics Tim Curley.
“I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to lead Penn State hockey during this transitional period and into Division I,” Gadowsky said. “I am truly honored to join Penn State and the spirit, pride, passion, class and professionalism found within its students, staff and alumni. I am humbled by the tremendous gift by the Pegula family and the commitment by Penn State. This is a very exciting time for college hockey and Penn State and our family is thrilled to be joining the Penn State family.”
Gadowsky led Princeton to two of its three all-time NCAA Championship berths in the 110 years of the program, in 2008 and 2009.
As a collegiate head coach, Gadowsky has helped develop nine players who have played in the National Hockey League, including three of his former Princeton players who have played in the NHL this season: Mike Moore (San Jose), Darroll Powe (Philadelphia) and Kevin Westgarth (Los Angeles).
