Former NHL coach Andy Murray takes over as head coach of Western Michigan University –NHL Update
Andy Murray, a 60-year-old, veteran coach with a full and rich history of leading teams of all leagues to success, has been hired as head coach of the Western Michigan University Bronco Hockey team, the university announced on Tuesday, July 26.
Murray’s deal with the Western Michigan University is worth a reportedly $300,000, which includes base salary and radio, television and media appearances.
The news was announced by the Western Michigan University during a press conference on campus.
With over 20 years as either a head coach or assistant coach of an ice hockey team somewhere in the world, Murray provides experience and teaching potential like no other, especially for aspiring players who wish to learn how major league games are played
and what the standard is.
School director of athletics, Kathy Beauregard, made it official on Tuesday.
"We are extremely excited and have a great deal of Bronco pride in announcing Andy Murray as our head coach of our terrific Bronco hockey team", said Beauregard. "Coach Murray becomes a Bronco after assembling a very extensive and successful body of work
as an NHL and international head coach. Consistent with our stated goals of competing at the highest levels of Division I ice hockey and of winning a hockey national championship this decade, Andy's hiring is another clear signal our university is seriously
engaged in achieving this coveted pinnacle".
Murray was former head coach of the Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues, a team which he most recently coached his fourth season with back during the 2009-2010 season.
While given an opportunity after the announcement to share his views, Murray said that he has had many chances to coach at very different places including nationally and internationally, but college hockey is something that he has always liked and appreciated
the way of working.
School level hockey is surely not new to Murray, who has spent nearly four seasons as a coach at Brandon University and Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep school in Minnesota during his coaching career.
Referring to a well known movie, “The Bucket List”, Murray termed this decision of his as a wish on his own bucket list, which has finally been fulfilled.
Murray might have over 300 wins as a coach in the NHL which makes him one out of only 39, but replacing, Jeff Blashill, who left to become an assistant coach with Detroit Red Wings, will be another difficult task on its own.
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