George Sipple

Detroit Free Press

Michigan Tech coach Mel Pearson will be announced as Michigan’s hockey coach at a 2 p.m. news conference today in Ann Arbor, the school said in a news release this morning. Pearson will succeed Red Berenson, who announced his retirement earlier this month.

"I am very honored and proud for this opportunity to be the next head coach at Michigan," Pearson said in a statement. "I am looking forward to continuing to build upon the rich and successful tradition of Michigan hockey.

"I would like to thank President Schlissel, Warde Manuel and my long-time mentor and friend Red Berenson for entrusting me with this opportunity. I spent 23 years here and thoroughly enjoyed my time in Ann Arbor. I am excited to be back and am looking forward to meeting the team and getting ready for next season."

Although Berenson, 77, stepped down, he will remain at U-M as a part-time advisor to athletic director Warde Manuel.

"I am thrilled to select Mel to lead our hockey program and for him to return home to U-M following tremendous success in leading the Michigan Tech program," Manuel said in a statement. "I've known Mel for years and experienced his leadership ability when I was the sport administrator for hockey and he was an assistant under Red (Berenson). Mel's qualifications are well known throughout the hockey community and reach far beyond his ability to coach. Simply put, I couldn't have selected a finer person to lead our ice hockey program into the future."

John Buccigross of ESPN first reported that Michigan would hire Pearson as its next hockey coach.

During Pearson’s time as an assistant at U-M (1998-2011) the Wolverines won two NCAA titles (1996, 1998).

Pearson, 58, went 118-92-29 at Tech, his alma mater. He was twice named WCHA coach of the year and twice led the Huskies to NCAA tournament appearances (2015 and 2017). He guided Tech to a Great Lakes Invitational title in 2012, the first time the Huskies had won the annual tournament that also features U-M and Michigan State since 1980.

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