.png&type=webp){kind=icon}
University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Names Don Cahoon Head Ice Hockey Coach
April 05, 2000 | Hockey
April 5, 2000
AMHERST, Mass. -- Don Cahoon has been named the new head ice hockey coach at the University of Massachusetts, it was announced today by Director of Athletics Bob Marcum. Cahoon, who served for nine years as the head coach at Princeton University, becomes the second head coach since UMass reinstated ice hockey for the 1993-94 season. He replaces Joe Mallen, whose contract was not renewed after seven years behind the bench for UMass.
"I think I can speak for my family and all my good friends in Massachusetts and say, it's an honor and a privledge to coach and lead the UMass hockey program into a new chapter," said Cahoon. "I'm looking forward to getting the program headed in the right direction to be competitive within Hockey East and on the national level. Everyone can rest assured that I will lead the program with the state's best interests in mind."
During his nine years at Princeton, Cahoon rebuilt the struggling hockey program. He led the Tigers to their first-ever ECAC tournament title, as well as the school's first NCAA Tournament appearance in 1998, and produced four seasons of 18-plus wins in the last six years. Cahoon's career coaching record stands at 180-167-36 (.517), including a mark of 122-129-32 at Princeton, He previously coached three years at Norwich University, where his team qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs every season, and a year at Lehigh University.
"We're pleased to have a person of Coach Cahoon's stature in the hockey world as a part of our program," said Marcum. "He has a proven record of success everywhere he has coached. We had several outstanding candidates for the position, so it's evident that the head coaching job at UMass is a very desirable one. We feel confident Don is the person who can instill the winning tradition of UMass athletics to the hockey program."
Cahoon made an immediate impact when he took over the coaching reins at Princeton. During his first season as the head coach, he led the Tigers to a 12-14-1 overall record and the ECAC quarterfinals. In 1994-95, he led the Tigers to their first winning season since the 1967-68 season. It also marked the fist time in school history that Princeton advanced to the ECAC finals. In 1997-98, Cahoon guided Princeton to its first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament.
"This appointment is an important and very visible one for our athletic department," said Chancellor David K. Scott. "Coach Cahoon will be able to build on the excellent foundation Coach Mallen put into place, starting the program from scratch seven years ago. We welcome Coach Cahoon and look forward with great anticipation to a bright future for our hockey program."
Prior to his head coaching position at Princeton, Cahoon served as an assistant under Jack Parker at Boston University, helping guide the Terriers to the 1990-91 NCAA national championship. The 1990-91 season at Boston University marked Cahoon's third stint as an assistant with the Terriers. He was also an assistant there from 1974-79 and during the 1987-88 season.
He began his coaching career as the head coach at Lehigh University (1973-74) where he guided the Engineers to the Mid-Atlantic Conference title with a 10-5-2 record before moving on to Boston University. Cahoon then became the head coach at Norwich University from 1979-82, where he compiled a 48-35-2 record. In 1982, Cahoon served as the director of hockey operations for the Austrian Ice Hockey Federation and head coach of the Vienna Ice Club. He returned to the United States the following season as an assistant at the University of Lowell, where he stayed until 1986. Cahoon has scouted for the then-Minnesota North Stars of the National Hockey League and the 1984 U.S. Olympic team. He also served as head coach of the 1990 U.S. Select 16 team in 1990.
"We are very excited about the prospect of Don Cahoon taking over our hockey program," said UMass President William Bulger. "He has ties to the Commonwealth, having grown up in Beverly and having played and coached at Boston University, and he has proven he can build a winner in a demanding academic climate. We are looking forward to next season with great enthusiasm."
A 1972 graduate of Boston University with a B.A. in education, Cahoon played left wing for the Terriers earning two national championship titles. He was an instrumental part of both the 1971 and 1972 championship teams. Following his career with the Terriers, Cahoon represented the United States at the 1972 World Championships, helping the national team to capture the silver medal. He then signed a contract with the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association after graduation.
The 50-year-old Cahoon was born April 13, 1949 in Lynn, Massachusetts. Cahoon graduated from Marblehead High School before attending Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire. He and his wife, Cindy, have two children, Christopher and Heidi.