Former Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts men’s coach Kevin McGonagle has been named interim women’s coach at Bowdoin. Head coach Michele Amidon has received a one-year leave of absence for personal reasons.
Also, athletics director Jeff Ward said men’s ice hockey coach Terry Meagher has been named the school’s director of hockey.
McGonagle is a native of Charlestown, Mass. and a 1992 Wesleyan graduate. McGonagle spent three years as an assistant coach for Bowdoin’s men’s program.
“We were very lucky to be able to bring Kevin back to Bowdoin,” said Ward. “His understanding of Bowdoin and NESCAC, combined with his extensive head coaching experience is what our women’s ice hockey team deserves. We’re very proud of the team. They’ve been knocking on the door of a national championship. This helps ensure that this quest will continue.”
McGonagle was the head men’s coach at MCLA until the school dropped hockey after the 2002-03 season. As head coach for Massachusetts-Boston from 1996-2000 he helped the team produce two consecutive winning seasons for the first time in 10 years.
Bowdoin’s women’s team has reached the NCAA Division III Frozen Four in each of the past two seasons, including a third-place finish in 2002-03.