University of Massachusets Athletics
Massachusetts Assistant Coach Tom Upton Named Men's Hockey Head Coach At Brown
February 23, 2026 | Hockey
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts hockey assistant coach Tom Upton has been named the next head coach of men's hockey at Brown University, the school announced on Monday. Upton, who will remain with the Minutemen until the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, is the third staff member in Greg Carvel's collegiate coaching career to go on to join the Division I men's head coaching ranks, joining Colorado College's Kris Mayotte (St. Lawrence, 2012-14) and Maine's Ben Barr (UMass, 2016-21).
"Everyone at UMass hockey is ecstatic for Tommy," said Carvel. "I hired Tommy four years ago because I needed someone to help me build culture and connection throughout our program. Tom is extraordinary at holding players accountable while at the same time earning their trust and connecting with them. Personally, I will really miss working with him closely and will forever be grateful for what he has done for me and our hockey program. Tommy has a ton of experience throughout every level of amateur hockey and he is ready for this next challenge."
During his time in Amherst, Upton helped UMass to two NCAA tournament berths in 2024 and 2025 with the team reaching the NCAA Regional Final in Fargo in 2025. He has helped mentor two All-Americans, three New England All-Stars, seven Hockey East All-Stars and two Hockey East All-Rookie Team selections during his UMass tenure.
Upton joined the University of Massachusetts hockey program as an assistant coach in June 2022 following a two-year stint as head coach and general manager of the Madison Capitols of the United States Hockey League (USHL).
Upton, a native of Austin, Texas, joined Madison following three years as an assistant coach at Mercyhurst. While at Mercyhurst, Upton helped lead the Lakers to an Atlantic Hockey regular season title as the Lakers' offense ranked eighth in the nation.
He played collegiate hockey at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point from 2006-2010. Upton appeared in five games, scoring one goal for the Columbus Cottonmouths of the Southern Professional Hockey League before beginning his coaching career with the Pointers. He spent three seasons as an assistant coach for his alma mater, recruiting a team that made three straight Division III Frozen Four appearances earning one National Championship and two National Championship runner-up finishes.
Upton went on to become an assistant coach with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders during the 2013-14 season before moving into a head coach and general manager position with the Minnesota Magicians of the North American Hockey League. During his tenure with the Magicians, he led the team to their first postseason appearance in franchise history.
After two seasons with the Minnesota Magicians, Upton joined the Youngstown Phantoms as an assistant coach and helped to draft a team that was named the 2017-18 Eastern Conference Champions and Clark Cup Final Runner-Up.
"Everyone at UMass hockey is ecstatic for Tommy," said Carvel. "I hired Tommy four years ago because I needed someone to help me build culture and connection throughout our program. Tom is extraordinary at holding players accountable while at the same time earning their trust and connecting with them. Personally, I will really miss working with him closely and will forever be grateful for what he has done for me and our hockey program. Tommy has a ton of experience throughout every level of amateur hockey and he is ready for this next challenge."
During his time in Amherst, Upton helped UMass to two NCAA tournament berths in 2024 and 2025 with the team reaching the NCAA Regional Final in Fargo in 2025. He has helped mentor two All-Americans, three New England All-Stars, seven Hockey East All-Stars and two Hockey East All-Rookie Team selections during his UMass tenure.
Upton joined the University of Massachusetts hockey program as an assistant coach in June 2022 following a two-year stint as head coach and general manager of the Madison Capitols of the United States Hockey League (USHL).
Upton, a native of Austin, Texas, joined Madison following three years as an assistant coach at Mercyhurst. While at Mercyhurst, Upton helped lead the Lakers to an Atlantic Hockey regular season title as the Lakers' offense ranked eighth in the nation.
He played collegiate hockey at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point from 2006-2010. Upton appeared in five games, scoring one goal for the Columbus Cottonmouths of the Southern Professional Hockey League before beginning his coaching career with the Pointers. He spent three seasons as an assistant coach for his alma mater, recruiting a team that made three straight Division III Frozen Four appearances earning one National Championship and two National Championship runner-up finishes.
Upton went on to become an assistant coach with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders during the 2013-14 season before moving into a head coach and general manager position with the Minnesota Magicians of the North American Hockey League. During his tenure with the Magicians, he led the team to their first postseason appearance in franchise history.
After two seasons with the Minnesota Magicians, Upton joined the Youngstown Phantoms as an assistant coach and helped to draft a team that was named the 2017-18 Eastern Conference Champions and Clark Cup Final Runner-Up.
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