The 2009 American Collegiate Hockey Association [ACHA] Men's Division 1 Coach-of-the-Year Award goes to Craig McAlister of the University of Central Oklahoma, as selected by the Head Coaches of ACHA Men's Division 1. This is the first ACHA Men's Division 1 Coach-of-the-Year Award for Craig.
The other finalists for the ACHA Men's Division 1 Coach-of-the-Year Award were:
- Derek Schaub of Lindenwood University
- Mark Gonsalves of West Chester University
- Dave Debol of the University of Michigan-Dearborn
- Tom Murphy of the University of Oklahoma
Craig will be presented his ACHA Men's Division 1 Coach-of-the-Year Award at the American Hockey Coaches Association Coach-of-the-Year Celebration on Saturday, April 25, 2009, at The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club in Naples, FL.
2008-2009 was a banner season for the University of Central Oklahoma and Craig McAlister including: the first berth in school history at the ACHA Men's Division 1 National Championships; ending the 47-game winning streak of the University of Illinois, the 2008 ACHA Men's Division 1 National Champions and 2009 National Runners-Up; its first ever top-10 ranking, peaking at #9 in Ranking #4; wins over 6 of the ACHA Men's Division 1 National Tournament teams, including Illinois, Iowa State, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Robert Morris PA; and the most wins in a season for the University of Central Oklahoma (24).
Craig’s ACHA coaching career started in 2003 when he became the first head coach at the University of Oklahoma, where he compiled a record of 48-17-4 in his 2.5 seasons there.
In 2006, after leaving the University of Oklahoma, Craig accepted and became the first Head Coach at the University of Central Oklahoma, where he has compiled a record of 52-43-9.
In just the University of Central Oklahoma’s third season, the Broncho’s qualified for the ACHA Men’s Division 1 National Championship tournament, where he earned his 100th victory against Robert Morris University in the final game of the season.
Before transitioning to coaching, Craig played four years at Ohio University from 1977 thru 1981, where he was a two-time 1st Team All-Midwest Collegiate Hockey League and was a team captain for his sophomore, junior, and senior years.
Craig has achieved Level 5 Master-Rated status in the USA Hockey Coaching Education Program and is currently the Associate Coach-in-Chief of the Rocky Mountain District with USA Hockey. Craig has been actively involved in the Rocky Mountain District Player Development camps, has coached in several USA Hockey Select Festivals, and has coached at the Chicago Showcase three times for Team Southwest.
Craig and his wife Eva have four children and reside in Yukon, Oklahoma. Craig earned his Doctor of Pharmacy in 1984 and owns and operates a pharmacy there, while Eva is attending the University of Central Oklahoma to earn a literature degree.
CRAIG MCALISTER’S CAREER COACHING RECORD
|
SEASON
|
W
|
L
|
T/OL/SL
|
WIN %
|
|
2003-04 OKLAHOMA
|
22
|
5
|
1
|
80.3%
|
|
2004-05 OKLAHOMA
|
20
|
9
|
2
|
67.7%
|
|
2005-06 OKLAHOMA
|
6
|
3
|
1
|
65.0%
|
|
2006-07 CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
|
14
|
11
|
3
|
55.4%
|
|
2007-08 CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
|
14
|
19
|
4
|
43.2%
|
|
2008-09 CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
|
24
|
13
|
2
|
64.1%
|
|
TOTALS
|
100
|
60
|
13
|
61.6%
|
Past Winners of the ACHA Men’s Division 1 Coach-of-the-Year Award:
|
YEAR
|
COACH
|
SCHOOL
|
|
2008-2009
|
Craig McAlister
|
University of Central Oklahoma
|
|
2007-2008
|
Chad Cassel
|
University of Illinois
|
|
2006-2007
|
Scott Balboni
|
Penn State University
|
|
2005-2006
|
Joe Augustine
|
University of Rhode Island
|
|
2004-2005
|
Joe Augustine
|
University of Rhode Island
|
|
2003-2004
|
Dan Morris
|
Ohio University
|
|
2002-2003
|
Chad Cassel
|
University of Illinois
|
|
2001-2002
|
Joe Battista
|
Penn State University
|
|
2000-2001
|
Bob Zion
|
Eastern Michigan University
|
|
Josh Brandwene
|
University of Delaware
|
|
|
1999-2000
|
Joe Battista
|
Penn State University
|
