Pat Ford was named as only the second head coach ever at Findlay, less than a week after Craig Barnett stepped down to become assistant athletic director and head coach at [nl]Lake Forest Academy.
Ford takes over after serving one season under Barnett as associate head coach. Barnett had recommended him for the job.
“This is something I have been preparing for my whole life,” said Ford. “I have been fortunate enough to work with and learn from two of the best coaches in college hockey in Jeff Sauer (Wisconsin) and Rick Comley (Northern Michigan).
“The transition has been very smooth because we have such a great group of kids who are ready to work hard. I want to thank Craig Barnett for giving me the opportunity to work with him over the past year and wish him nothing but the best. He set a strong foundation for this program and I am looking forward to building on that.”
Ford was an assistant under Sauer from 1994-2002, the last six years as head assistant coach, following two seasons under Comley at Northern Michigan from 1992-94. He was a graduate assistant at Wisconsin during the 1991-92 season.
The Wisconsin graduate also played for Sauer from 1984-88. A center, Ford finished his college career with 48 goals and 78 assists for 126 points in 155 games. He was named to the WCHA All-Academic Team in 1987 and was honorable mention All-WCHA in 1988.
After college, Ford played briefly with the Canadian National Team and then professionally in England. He earned his degree from Wisconsin in 1990.
Findlay also announced that Mike Szkodzinski has been promoted from graduate assistant coach to interim assistant coach. Szkodzinski is in his second year with the team and is a graduate of St. Norbert.
Findlay went 10-21-4 last season, finishing fifth in College Hockey America with a 3-13-4 record.
