ANN ARBOR -- Shortly after Don Canham convinced Red Berenson to return to Michigan with hopes of reviving a once proud program, the late legendary athletic director had a bit of coaching advice to offer the 44-year-old hockey guru from Saskatchewan.

"He said, 'well, you're 44, you don't want to be coaching when you're 55,' " Berenson recalled Monday afternoon in Ann Arbor. "I guess I didn't listen.

"But nevertheless, I feel like it's the right time (now)."

The 77-year-old Berenson, one of the most successful college hockey coaches in history, announced his retirement from his alma mater Monday after 33 seasons behind the Wolverines' bench.

His career numbers stand on their own, and they're rather staggering. Berenson is one of four college coaches with 800 wins. His 22-year NCAA Tournament streak at Michigan is still a record. He won two national titles. He coached 73 NHL players, two Hobey Baker winners and made 11 Frozen Fours.

After spending two decades as an NHL player and coach, he accepted Canham's offer to resurrect the program where he starred as an All-American in 1962. The rest, as they say, is history.

But his time at Michigan was always about more than hockey. And while he admits he was ready to make this move -- and says the decision was his to make -- the day overall was a bit bittersweet.

"(Michigan) changed my life, and that's been my motivation -- to help these young guys, to help (Michigan) change their lives and (help) them live their dreams," Berenson said. "When we won the Stanley Cup (with the Montreal Canadiens in 1965) and we were in the parade, two days later I was in grad school (at Michigan). And it was the best day of my life, not the day we won the (Cup) or the parade, but the day I was in class and knew I could take care of myself.

"There were only six (NHL) teams. It was a cutthroat business, not that it isn't now. And there was no money in it. ... I was the only player in the NHL with a college degree, everyone thought I was kind of goofy and thought I was kind of a nerd. But I was preparing for life after hockey. I guess, now, life after hockey will start officially. And I'm OK with that."

The decision was far from simple, of course. Berenson opted to return to Michigan in 2017 after winning the Big Ten Coach of the Year award in 2016, but saw this past season hurt by hefty early attrition to the NHL -- as the Wolverines failed to make the NCAA Tournament.

He thought plenty about whether or not now was the right time to step aside. He met with Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel -- who told Berenson he thought he should return last year -- on Monday and finalized the decision. Manuel initially asked Berenson if he wanted to sign another long-term contract. But the coach had other plans.

Berenson explained how the questions from prospective recruits about how much longer he would be able to coach was something that became an issue for the program -- which, he says, always comes first.

"As Warde said, 'you should sign a long-term contract' but I don't know if that's the best interest of this program and I feel it's not," Berenson said. "That really put it in perspective. I think we're doing the right thing. I talked with Warde about this last year after we had a pretty good year and Warde hadn't even moved here yet. He had just been named athletic director. We agreed I should come back and have another good year.

"I think he still thinks I'm 45. But nevertheless, I've had great support."

Manuel -- who first developed a relationship with Berenson during his previous stop at Michigan as a hockey sport administrator -- was quick to announce that while Berenson's time as head coach is over, his time at Michigan is not.

Berenson will stay at Michigan as a special advisor to Manuel and will assist the AD in the upcoming hockey coaching search -- something that will begin in earnest Tuesday. Berenson said his role in the search will be a "distant" one, but he'll be there for any support Manuel needs. He also says he'll support and help the next coach, no matter who it is.

Still, Manuel says he plans on leaning heavily on Berenson moving forward.

"I can't ask for a better advisor about who would be great to bring in here as the next coach than Red Berenson," Manuel said. "I won't say I'll miss him, because I won't. Because he'll be right here with me."

Shortly after news of Berenson's retirement broke Monday, his phone began to ring as he fielded calls from hordes of former players, associates and friends inside the world of hockey.

The first call he received was from former Michigan star and Hobey Baker winner Brendan Morrison. The second was from former Detroit Red Wings and current Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock.

"Mike said 'I was hoping you'd last a few more years, because Michigan's been my dream job,' " Berenson said with a laugh. "I'm not sure how to take that. But we've had a lot of friends and we've heard from a lot of them with a lot of memories.

"I was blessed to come to Michigan."

A number of Berenson's former and current players were on hand for the press conference. A number of them expressed their gratitude to him via social media.

And to a man, the message was clear: Berenson molded hockey players and changed lives for the better. Which is all anyone can ask for.

"He was a giant for the Michigan hockey program," former Michigan captain Andrew Copp, who made 64 appearances for the Winnipeg Jets this past season, said via phone Monday. "His history of being a successful NHL player and NHL coach and all the talented players that came through the program, that all speaks for itself. He helped all of them with their development and he made Michigan hockey a place where it's a traditional powerhouse.

"Getting that opportunity to play for him was a blessing."

It goes without saying, of course, that Michigan's next head coach will have massive shoes to fill.

Speculative reports have suggested longtime former Michigan assistant and current Michigan Tech head coach Mel Pearson could be a name at the top of Michigan's list. Current assistants Brian Wiseman and Billy Powers could also get a look. Former Michigan player Bill Muckalt, who won USHL title during his first year as head coach/GM of the Tri-City Storm in 2016, could also be on the list.

Neither Manuel nor Berenson suggested that the next Michigan coach will be required to have ties to the program. But both did explain how they'd prefer the program be led by someone who has a knowledge and an understanding of Michigan hockey and what they believe it stands for.

"We're looking for someone who is going to move the program forward and have that passion for Michigan, have that passion for these young men," Manuel said. "(We want him to) embrace our alums, get a chance to understand what Michigan hockey is all about. We want someone to lead us to success with these young men on the ice and off it.

"My focus has been on Red, the current team and the staff (until now). (On Tuesday) we'll start the process of taking a look at it and compartmentalize it. Red didn't deserve anything to be leaked or out there or talking about who the next coach is before we had a chance to celebrate what he means to Michigan and Michigan hockey."

As for Berenson, he plans to remain involved with the program in whatever capacity the next core leadership wants. Elsewhere, he'd like to spend more time alongside his wife, Joy, visiting his children and grandchildren. And, he says, he'd like to spend more time "on the river" -- as he's an avid outdoorsman with a fondness for fishing and canoeing.

He doesn't have a "to-do" list, but he did say he'd like to see what retired life is like. And he's excited about the next chapter.

"My wife, when I left the house this morning said 'are you sure you're doing the right thing?' " Berenson said. "It didn't remind her, but I remember the day we got married -- 56 or so-odd years ago. I was walking into the church and one of my best friends who was in the wedding said 'are you sure you want to do this?' I was sure. I didn't like getting married but I wanted to be married.

"I don't like the fact we're going through this. But I want to be retired. I want to get out of the way for the next coach to take this program to a high level. I've been so lucky to be here."