Ohio State announced Monday the hiring of Nate Handrahan as the head coach of the women’s hockey team, becoming just the second coach in the 12-year history of the women’s hockey program.
“My family and I are grateful for the opportunity athletics director Gene Smith and the hiring committee has given me to be the head coach of the Ohio State women’s hockey team,” Handrahan said in a statement. “This program has great people and players and we are going to put together a recipe of success that will result in winning on and off the ice.”
Handrahan, who is replacing Jackie Barto, joins Ohio State after serving five years as head coach at Robert Morris. He was also an assistant coach to the RMU men’s hockey team for two seasons.
A 2000 graduate of Niagara, Handrahan assisted his alma mater in 2001 and served as assistant coach for three seasons.
A standout defenseman for the Niagara from 1996-2000, Handrahan played in every game during his four-year career. At the conclusion of the 1999-2000 season, Handrahan signed with the Roanoke Express of the ECHL and played the remainder of the 2000 season as well as the 2000-2001 season with the Express.
Handrahan and his wife, Nicole, have three daughters, Haylee, Mara and Lila.
