BGSU hockey coach Scott Paluch is stepping down after seven seasons behind the bench and compiling a record of 84-156-23 record only finishing with one season at .500 (2004-05, BG went 16-16-4).
Assistant coach Dennis Williams was named interim head coach.
Paluch is leaving the program after taking a a job with USA Hockey as a regional manager for USA's Hockey New Development Model, a program designed with the intention to create a national state of the game by connecting local hockey associations.
"It's exciting working with USA Hockey, It's something I'm really looking forward to," Paluch said in an 11 a.m. press conference at the BGSU Ice Arena. "I've had some great moments with them as a player and coach, and I'm excited to be moving on."
Paluch will be remaining in his home at Bowling Green with his new position which made the decision much easier.
This resignation likely ends Paluch's ties with the program, before his seven-season coaching stint he was an All-American defenseman for the Falcons during his collegiate career (1984-88).
Williams played for BGSU from 1997-2001 and was a volunteer assistant coach for the 2001-02 season and an assistant coach last season.
"I want to thank Scott Paluch for giving me the opportunity to return to Bowling Green and the [Central Collegiate Hockey Association]," Williams said. "I am looking forward to having the opportunity to lead the Falcons for the 2009-2010 season. As an alumnus, it is a great honor to be able to coach at your alma mater. I am very excited about the challenge and I would like to thank Greg Christopher for providing me with this opportunity."
His coaching resume also includes the resurrection of Division III Neumann College taking them from a 3-21-1 mark the season before he took over (2002-03) and compiling a record of 35-32-8 during his three season tenure. The season after Williams left, Neumann won the Division III National Title.
The search for Williams' two assistants is already in progress.
Williams played for BGSU from 1997-2001 and was a volunteer assistant coach for the 2001-02 season and an assistant coach last season.
"I want to thank Scott Paluch for giving me the opportunity to return to Bowling Green and the [Central Collegiate Hockey Association]," Williams said. "I am looking forward to having the opportunity to lead the Falcons for the 2009-2010 season. As an alumnus, it is a great honor to be able to coach at your alma mater. I am very excited about the challenge and I would like to thank Greg Christopher for providing me with this opportunity."
His coaching resume also includes the resurrection of Division III Neumann College taking them from a 3-21-1 mark the season before he took over (2002-03) and compiling a record of 35-32-8 during his three season tenure. The season after Williams left, Neumann won the Division III National Title.
The search for Williams' two assistants is already in progress.
"He [Williams] is going to do an outstanding job, one of the things I've always thought is the passion for Bowling Green that I had seven years ago, and I know Willie's got that same passion," Paluch said.
"In terms of this kind of season for Bowling Green hockey, your expectations, I want to excel in our three areas that I've kind of defined," Williams said. "First that there here as a student-athlete, so the classroom is a must, we have to be up on our academics, Bowling Green hockey has had a great tradition of great grades and we're going to continue that. Second of all is on-ice performance as we all know, we want to get as high we can in our conference, and with my passion and the guidance of Bowling Green, we have that bridge of returning players and incoming freshmen so I'm confident we'll be out there every night playing hard-nose Falcon hockey, and making our way right back up that standings. And, the third thing is getting out, as in getting out both on campus and off-campus. I take high regards in us getting out there and helping out with youth hockey, schools, or the churches, hospitals whatever it may be. But, I want to make sure that people see us. We're Bowling Green hockey and we're proud of who we are."
The search for William's assistant coaches will begin immediately.
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