March 31, 2025
New Ferris State hockey coach Brett Riley pledges to build upon a ‘legacy of excellence’ and build a championship culture
New Ferris State University hockey coach Brett Riley pledged to continue a “legacy of excellence” while building a championship culture with the Bulldogs.
Riley, a third-generation coach with a passion for developing young talent, met with the media and community on Monday after being hired on Friday.
“I want to say how excited I am for what lies ahead here,” Riley said. “Ferris State is a place that has everything. A student-athlete can have it all here and I’m ready to lead this program toward great progress. I’m looking forward to building and continuing to build a championship culture here and continuing the tradition of excellence that defines this university.”
Riley, who has served as the head coach at NCAA Division I Long Island University since 2020, follows legendary coach Bob Daniels, who retired this year after 33 years behind the Bulldogs’ bench and more than 500 wins. Riley will become the sixth head coach in the 50 years of Bulldog Hockey.
Athletic Director Steve Brockelbank there was considerable interest in the Ferris Strate coaching job, noting there are only 64 Division I hockey programs in the country, that the university is in a competitive conference, and the program has a long and storied tradition.
“This is different for us -- it’s been 33 years since we’ve announced a new head hockey coach,” Brocklebank said.
Brockelbank noted the steady improvement of the LIU team under Riley’s leadership, from three wins in its first season to 20 wins this last season. He also was impressed by the coach’s commitment to developing students as players and people, as well as building a winning culture.
“When you look at what he’s done as a head coach, it’s incredibly impressive,” he said. “We look forward to that translating to us here at Ferris State University.”
Riley spoke about continuing “the legacy of excellence” at Ferris State, noting an atmosphere that was electric and contagious.
“It was clear to me when I walked around campus and I met so many of you all that felt this was a special place with great people, strong resources, a sense of community, and everything needed to be successful,” he said.
The South Hampton, Massachusetts native is part of an successful college hockey family, with his father, uncle and grandfather all having previous and accomplished coaching experience.
Riley's father, Rob Riley, served as head coach at Army West Point for 19 years and is currently an amateur scout for the NHL's Buffalo Sabres. Jack Riley, Brett's grandfather, also coached at Army for more than 35 years after leading the United States to the gold medal at the 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Olympics.
Riley said he has tremendous respect for Daniels and the program he built over three decades.
“His 33 years of dedication and leadership have shaped this program into what it is today,” he said. “He’s built an amazing foundation, and a legacy of doing things the right way. I think he represents all that’s right with college hockey in terms of class and dignity.”
Under Riley's leadership, more than 25 former Long Island University players have advanced to the professional level. In addition, his LIU team has carried the department’s highest team grade point average of more than 30 programs and captured the school’s Community Service Award the past two years for their outstanding work off the ice and in the community.
“We will work to become the most competitive, hard-working, and detailed team in the country,” he said Monday before an audience of media, community members, fellow coaches -- and his new hockey players.
“You guys are the heart of the program, and I’m excited to support you and challenge you as we build in all areas here. I’m committed to doing things the right way on and off the ice, as coach Daniels has built here. A commitment to fitness, training and a culture that is hockey passionate and driven to be the best in everything that we do.”