Head Men's Hockey Coach Wayne Wilson Announces Retirement

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – RIT Men's Hockey Head Coach Wayne Wilson announced his retirement, Wednesday.

The winningest coach in program history, Wilson transformed RIT into a national contender at the NCAA Division I level following the program's ascension from the Division III ranks. He finishes his career 33rd in NCAA Men's Hockey victories with a 471-337-82 record during his 26 seasons behind the bench.
 
The only coach in NCAA history to win the Spencer Penrose Award (D1 National Coach of the Year) and the Edward Jeremiah Award (D3 National Coach of the Year), Wilson guided RIT to four Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) Championships and four NCAA Division I Tournament appearances, including a run to the 2010 Frozen Four in only its fifth year at the Division-I level.
 
"Coach Wilson had a profound impact on RIT Hockey," said Executive Athletic Director Jacqueline Nicholson. "Few coaches can say they directed a program through a transformation like he did, but an even smaller number can boast the same level of success he was able to sustain at the highest level of competition."
 
Under Wilson's watch, RIT totaled more conference (273) and overall (349) wins than any other current AHA team, including the seven that were original members of the conference when it was founded in 2003-04 – three years before RIT joined the league.
 
Wilson mentored 13 All-Americans during his tenure, while Simon Lambert (2007-08) and Matt Garbowsky (2014-15) were both named finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, honoring the nation's top player. Thirty-six of Wilson's players totaled 55 Atlantic Hockey All-Conference honors along with 19 major Atlantic Hockey awards, including three Players of the Year. Eleven of his players were also named AHA All-Rookie Team members, including Chris Tanev in 2010, who went on to become the first player in program history to play in the NHL, appearing in over 850 career games since.

"After 40 years of coaching, it's bittersweet to announce my retirement. I don't know if there is ever a good time to retire but I feel that it's the right time for me," said Wilson. "There are countless people to thank for making coaching college hockey such a great job for so many years. I truly enjoyed coming to work every day to push teams and players to reach their goals. I couldn't have done that without great assistants and players who were all committed to being their best."

VIEW MORE STATS, RECORDS AND HISTORIC INFO FROM WAYNE WILSON'S CAREER
 
Wilson was a four-year letterman at Bowling Green under legendary head coach Jerry York, captaining the 1984 Falcons to a national championship during his senior campaign. Wilson logged the primary assist on the game-tying goal with 1:47 left in regulation during the title game (played in Lake Placid, N.Y. on the same sheet the USA won the "Miracle on Ice" four years earlier) as BGSU went on to defeat top-ranked Minnesota-Duluth, 5-4, in quadruple overtime.
 
Graduating with a degree in health, physical education, and recreation in 1984, Wilson joined York's staff as an assistant coach for the next three years while completing a master's degree in education. After departing for a season as an assistant coach at New Hampshire in 1987-88, Wilson returned to his alma mater for an 11-year stint as an assistant coach until taking the RIT job in 1999.

RIT will announce its next head coach in the coming days.
 
WAYNE WILSON
I want to thank my former coaches at Bowling Green, Jerry York, Bill Wilkinson, Buddy Powers and the late Terry Flanagan, for instilling the fire in me to coach. I would also like to thank Bowling Green, New Hampshire and RIT for giving me the opportunity to coach, especially RIT Executive Athletic Directors Lou Spiotti and Jackie Nicholson for their support and all they provided me and my family.
 
I want to also thank Brian Hills and Dave Insalaco, the two assistants who have been with me the longest, for their work and friendship. I will also always be grateful for the players who chose to come to RIT and represented RIT so well on the ice, in the classroom and in the community. You are all champions in my mind.
 
Last but not least, I want to thank my wife, Lynn, my daughter, Stephanie, and my son, Stu, for supporting me while I got to do what I loved. I had great people around me every step of the way and now I will now get to support and be around them much more.

JERRY YORK - FORMER BOWLING GREEN/BOSTON COLLEGE COACH, WINNINGEST COACH IN NCAA HOCKEY HISTORY
When Wayne chose Bowling Green, I knew we had an excellent player on our hands, but it was his leadership skills that really set him apart. He was a privilege to coach for four years, especially as a senior when he captained us to a national championship.  

Coaches have to know their x's and o's, but the really good ones have the ability to be an inspiration and a role model for their players more than anything. That is what Wayne's success is all about. He's always been authentic and honest with his recruits and his players. There was no promising kids different things - what you see is what you get – and he's always been a hard-worker who relates with his players very well.

Getting to see him the year Boston College and RIT were at the Frozen Four together was special. It was great just to connect and talk hockey again after all those years.

BRIAN RILEY - HEAD COACH, ARMY
College Hockey is in a better place because of the impact Wayne Wilson had on it during his time at RIT. He has had an amazing career, and his coaching record certainly is proof of that. Looking back on his career, it's not just the wins that will stand out. More importantly, the lives he positively impacted will be his legacy. I am very grateful for his friendship and it has truly been an honor to coach against him all these years. I wish him all the best in his retirement.
 
FRANK SERRATORE – HEAD COACH, AIR FORCE
I met first met Wayne when he brought RIT to a tournament we were hosting at Air Force – RIT was still a Division III team and was supposed to be a somewhat "soft" opponent for us. Well, they out-competed us, their power play was unstoppable, and they won our tournament. My first impression of RIT was a nightmare – and I got to relive it time and time again in the coming years after we both joined Atlantic Hockey the same season! There always seemed to be high stakes on the line whenever we played, and the road to a regular season or playoff championship seemed to go through each other for many years. Thanks for being such a great competitor and congratulations on all you accomplished - I wish you all the best in retirement.

RICK GOTKIN - HEAD COACH, MERCYHURST
After a career spent shaping champions on the ice, a great coach knows that true victory lies not in the final whistle, but in the lasting impact they leave behind on players, the game and those they've inspired. Congratulations, Wayne - Enjoy your retirement!