Monday, University of Lowell coach Bill Riley announced his decision to retire after the upcoming season to take a faculty position in the school's Department of Physical Education. Riley has coached at Lowell for 21 years and has run up a record of 353-247-22. He took the Lowell program from its beginnings and built it into a Division II powerhouse, leading to the team's moving to Division One and Hockey East. Riley came to ULowell (from Lehigh) in 1969 when it was known as Lowell Tech and is only the school's second coach (the first being some obscure guy who coached a couple of games in 1969-70). Lowell Tech became ULowell in 1975. Riley's teams won four ECAC Division II titles and three NCAA Division Two championships before the NCAA abolished the Div. II tournament. He is perhaps the epitome of "old-time hockey". His teams earned their spot in Division I through hard work and good, old-fashioned intimidation. The move by Merrimack to Hockey East this past season renewed the long-standing rivalry between the teams that began in the early 70s in Division II. Although I didn't see it, I have heard about the legendary "greatest college hockey brawl of all time" which took place at the Boston Garden in a game between Merrimack and Riley's Chiefs - a brawl that spilled over into the stands and resulted in the forced cancellation of the game. That was the last Division II game played in the Garden... His coaching record: Year Overall League Season Highlights 1969-70 11-6-0 8-6-0 1970-71 9-8-1 7-8-1 1971-72 12-11-1 8-10-1 1972-73 12-10-1 11-9-1 1973-74 9-12-1 7-12-1 1974-75 14-8-0 13-7-0 1975-76 11-10-1 11-10-1 1976-77 17-9-1 16-8-1 1977-78 17-6-1 16-5-1 1978-79 27-6-0 21-5-0 ECAC2 & NCAA2 Champions 1979-80 23-7-0 19-4-0 1980-81 27-5-0 18-3-0 ECAC2 & NCAA2 Champions 1981-82 31-4-0 19-1-0 ECAC2 & NCAA2 Champions 1982-83 29-2-0 18-0-0 ECAC2 Champions Moved to Division I in 83-84; HE in 84-85 1983-84 15-16-3 ----- Independent 1984-85 15-25-2 11-21-2 5th in HE / 4th playoffs 1985-86 11-29-2 7-25-2 6th in HE / 3rd playoffs 1986-87 22-12-2 20-10-2 2nd in HE / 3rd playoffs 1987-88 20-17-2 12-14-0 4th in HE / 3rd playoffs / lost NCAA first round at Wisconsin 1988-89 8-24-2 4-21-1 7th in HE / missed playoffs 1989-90 13-20-2 5-14-2 7th in HE / 7th playoffs Riley was named Hockey East Coach of the Year in 1987, when his Chiefs finished 2nd in the league in only their fourth year in Division I, and was named New England Hockey Writers Division II Coach of the Year three times. Former players he coached include NHLers Craig MacTavish, Mark Kumpel, and Jon Morris. Morris, a native of Chelmsford, Mass., was unquestionably the school's finest player, and Riley pulled a major shocker in getting him to attend Lowell from 1984-88. That played a big part in the Chiefs' immediate success upon entering Division I. Riley said, "This is an opportunity to take the best of both worlds. It allows me to go back to the faculty and to explore other possibilities in the future. [one of those being named head coach of the U.S. Olympic Team? - mike] My goals when I came to Lowell were to make the program competitive in Division II, then win a Division II championship, and finally move the program to Division I. I have accomplished all those goals, and this opportunity to move back into teaching allows me to do other things." Bill Riley's relatives in the Division I coaching ranks include Jack Riley (uncle, I believe), who coached Army from 1950-86 and directed the 1960 U.S. Olympic Team to a gold medal, and Jack's son Rob Riley, currently head man at Army. The school said a national search for a new coach would begin in the fall with Riley's successor to be named after the 90-91 season. There are no early favorites for the job. Like Clarkson, Lowell has announced plans to build a new downtown rink to replace the Joe Tully Forum, which is several miles from campus, so the new man will also be inheriting a new building. As one who's been on the other side from Riley's teams, I have enjoyed rooting against him and his henchmen, but there's no question that he gets the most out of his players and is a great motivator. For the past few years I've been suggesting that a guy like Riley should coach the U.S. Olympic Team because I know they would give 100% everytime they play. He's a guy who has always been around the game and knows it and the rules better than almost anyone. It's been difficult recruiting at Lowell because of the school's location, the rink's location and condition, etc., but I think Riley has done a tremendous job considering all these factors. Hockey East and college hockey will miss him. In a game against Merrimack this year, one of his players blocked a shot with his leg and went down. He had to be helped off the ice and was met by Riley, who first asked if he was ok, then snapped, "Good! Next time, use your HEAD!". That's the Riley I'll remember. - mike p.s. thanks for the responses to my poll...keep them coming...results soon.