Ex-OU, WMU coach Hogan off to desert

Arizona Press Release

The Arizona Wildcats hockey team has officially hired Sean Hogan as head coach moving into the 2011-2012 season.

Hogan comes directly from Western Michigan University, where he served as the director of video operations. He also brings an extensive background as a head coach and experience with the American Collegiate Hockey Association.

“I am very excited about being named head coach at the University of Arizona," said Hogan. "I feel I am the coach that can best move UA hockey to the next level and am certain that we can compete year in and year out for the Murdoch Cup."

Hogan is looking to re-create the winning ways he enjoyed at all his previous coaching stops.

"Having previously won two ACHA national championships as a head coach, I know what is necessary to compete nationally at this level," Hogan said. "We will have a team that is very hard to play against and play an exciting brand of hockey that Arizona hockey fans can be proud of."

Prior to his time at WMU, Hogan was the head coach of the Yellowstone Quake Junior A team in the Northern Pacific Hockey League where coached the Quake to a final regular season record of 34-14-0.

Most of Hoganʼs experience, however, comes from Oakland University. Hogan was the head coach for four seasons, leading the team to two national championships, ACHA Division II in 2006 and ACHA Division I in 2007. He is currently the all-time wins leader at Oakland with a record of 87-50-7.

One of the top reasons that Hogan was selected is because of his internal drive to win and the impact he is looking to make, not only on-campus and with the players, but also in Tucson.

"My goal is to be here long term, to develop a winning University of Arizona hockey program as part of the Tucson community," said Hogan. "Our players will be expected to be involved in community projects. It is our responsibility as a hockey program to develop community ties and give Arizona hockey fans a reason to support this program. I would like to be involved in starting, organizing and developing a youth hockey program here in Tucson.”

Hogan also brings the Wildcats experience in recruiting and rink management. He has advanced many of his players to the ranks of the NCAA, WHL, USHL and NAHL and is currently in contact with players from last year and has begun recruiting for this upcoming season.