Former UMass-Amherst coach Joe Mallen was named head coach at UMass-Boston today. Mallen, who coached the Beacons in the early ’80s, returns to where his collegiate head coaching career began.
Mallen was at Amherst for the past seven seasons, before being fired in March. He was replaced by Don Cahoon. He is the winningest coach in UMass-Boston history with an 80-46-2 (.633) mark in five seasons.
“This is a great opportunity to return to a place where I’ve experienced a lot of success,” said Mallen. “I’m fortunate to have the chance to stay within the University of Massachusetts educational family, and to be able to return to the community where I grew up.
“I feel very comfortable here. I started the program here and this is home to me. I want area players to feel that UMass-Boston is not only a place where they can get an excellent education, but also a place where they can be part of a great hockey program.”
Mallen, 44, was 77-144-18 in his seven seasons in Amherst. He won an ECAC Division III championship in 1981-82 when he led UMass Boston to a 24-3 record. The Beacons made the transition to Division II in 1982-83, and advanced to the ECAC Division II playoffs the following season.
In between his head coaching stints, Mallen was an assistant at U.S. International, and an assistant at Boston College for seven seasons.
