May 30, 2005
Pooley to Leave Providence for ND Assistant Position

Paul Pooley

By Nate Ewell

Paul Pooley, head coach at Providence for the past 11 seasons, has decided to leave the Friars to join Jeff Jackson's staff as an assistant coach at Notre Dame, multiple sources have told Inside College Hockey.

An official announcement is expected soon, pending completion of a routine background check by Notre Dame officials. Pooley did not return a phone message seeking comment. The Providence athletic media relations department said Friday that athletic director Bob Driscoll was out of town for the weekend, but would have a comment if and when it was necessary.

Pooley and Jackson worked together at Lake Superior State from 1991-94, when the Lakers advanced to three consecutive NCAA championship games. Pooley began his coaching career at Ohio State, his alma mater, following a three-year career in the NHL and minor leagues.

Pooley's move comes following a disappointing seventh-place Hockey East finish for Providence in 2004-05. The Friars' 12-21-4 record was their worst of his 11-year tenure at the school, and led to questions among Friar fans and the Providence-area media about Pooley's future. Providence didn't win a Hockey East game between Oct. 29 and Feb. 18 this season, a 15-game winless streak, but finished with a four-game winning streak late in the year.

Pooley will finish his Providence career as the second-longest tenured coach at the school, with the second-most wins (185). His overall career record stands at 185-187-40. He led the team to five top-four finishes in Hockey East play, including a tie for second in 2000-01, a Hockey East playoff title in 1996, and NCAA Tournament appearances in 1996 and 2001.

Pooley's departure will lead to the third coaching change in Hockey East entering the 2005-06 season. Greg Cronin has replaced Bruce Crowder at Northeastern, and Chris Serino stepped down as the Merrimack head coach last month. A replacement has yet to be named at Merrimack.


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