Adrian, MI – Adrian College Athletic Director, Craig Rainey, announced the hiring of Chad Davis on Thursday as the head coach of the Adrian College NCAA women’s hockey team. Davis will return to Adrian College to make his second stint as head coach. Overall, Davis has compiled a career coaching record of 193-80-21.
“We are excited to have Coach Davis return to Adrian College as he brings in a ton of national experience and success,” Rainey said. “As someone who has coached at Adrian College before, Coach Davis understands the expectations and the direction we want to take our program.”
Davis’ most recently served as head coach of the Saint Mary’s University women’s hockey program in Minnesota. He coached for one season where he led the team to their first appearance to the Conference Finals and cracked into the national rankings for the first time in program history. He coached the MIAC Rookie of the Year and three MIAC All-Conference selections. Prior to Saint Mary’s, Davis started the process for the MSOE women’s hockey team by recruiting to lead up to their inaugural season.
After his first stint at Adrian College, Davis took a head coaching job at NCAA Division I, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). In 2019, Davis was named the CHA Coach of the Year and became a Division I Coach of the Year Finalist. He coached the 2019 Conference Player of the Year and the Conference Rookie of the Year Finalist.
During his time at Adrian College from 2011-2018, Davis accumulated a record of 150-37-10 which continues to be the most wins in by an Adrian women’s hockey head coach. Davis was named the NCHA Coach of the Year four times and was the NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year in 2017. The team won four NCHA Regular Season Championships and three NCHA Slaats Cup Championships under the direction of Davis and led the Bulldogs to a National Runner-Up finish in 2017.
“I would to thank President Docking, Athletic Director Craig Rainey, Vice President Frank Hribar, and Associate Athletic Director Meg Sharp along with the entire search committee for the opportunity to lead the women’s ice hockey program,” Davis said. “I feel very blessed for an opportunity to return home and lead the Adrian Bulldogs women’s ice hockey program. Former head coach, Shawn Skelly, did a remarkable job and the future staff looks to continue working hard to push the program forward. We strive for the Bulldogs program to excel in the classroom, community and compete for championships.”
Davis will begin his coaching responsibilities soon as he begins to prepare for the upcoming 2024-25 hockey season. The Bulldogs open the season with an exhibition game at home against Trine University at on October 26 at 7:00 PM. The regular season will begin on November 1-2 when the Bulldogs host SUNY Canton.
*media courtesy of Adrian College*