March 28, 2025

Third-generation coach Brett Riley selected to lead Ferris State hockey program

Brett Riley, a third-generation hockey coach with a proven track record of leadership and passion for developing young talent, will be the new coach of Ferris State University’s storied hockey program.

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. He will become the sixth head coach in the 50 years of Bulldog Hockey.

“We’re thrilled to announce Brett Riley as the new head coach for Bulldog hockey and are extremely excited to welcome him to campus and the Big Rapids community,” Athletic Director Steve Brockelbank said. “Brett brings a tremendous passion for the game of hockey and outstanding energy. He also has displayed the ability to attract and develop talented players both on and off the ice, which is essential in today’s game.”
Riley, a South Hampton, Massachusetts native, is part of a legendary 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.

“I am incredibly honored and excited to become the next head hockey coach at Ferris State University,” Riley said. “First, I want to thank President Bill Pink, Steve Brockelbank, and the entire search committee for this incredible opportunity. The tradition of excellence, commitment to Bulldogs hockey and most importantly the people I met throughout the process and while on campus make this opportunity so exciting. I can’t wait to start working with our student-athletes.”

Riley said he wanted to recognize Daniels and his 33 years of dedication and leadership that have shaped this program into what it is today.

“Coach Daniels has built a strong foundation both on and off the ice and I am committed to carrying that legacy forward, honoring the work he’s done and continuing to elevate this program on and off the ice,” he said.

Riley has been the head coach at Long Island University in Greenvale, New York, since 2020 – the first coach for a new program when he took the reins. He guided the Sharks to a 62-85-7 record over five seasons.

Ferris State President Bill Pink said Riley will be leading a storied program with a long tradition of success.
“Today, we begin an exciting new chapter in Ferris State’s hockey legacy,” Pink said. “While we honor the incredible contributions of Bob Daniels, whose leadership shaped this program for decades, we are thrilled to welcome Brett Riley as the next head coach of the Bulldogs. Brett brings a passion for the game, a commitment to excellence, and a coaching intensity that is contagious. I look forward to watching him lead our program and seeing his impact on our student-athletes."

This past season, Riley led the Sharks to their winningest season in program history, finishing the 2024-25 campaign with a 20-12-2 record. He earned NCAA Independent Hockey Coach of the Year accolades following the record-breaking campaign.

Riley guided LIU to its most notable win in program history this past year, knocking off No. 17 Notre Dame by a 5-2 score on Oct. 26 in South Bend, Ind. The victory over the Fighting Irish also marked Long Island's first ranked win against a road opponent.

LIU produced the best home record of any NCAA Division I hockey program this season, posting a remarkable 14-1-0 record at the Northwell Health Ice Center. The Sharks won seven of their last eight games, including two-game sweeps over Lindenwood, Alaska Anchorage, and Alaska Fairbanks. Riley's squad also closed the season with a two-game win streak, capped by a 4-2 Senior Night victory over Alaska Fairbanks.
Over the course of his five years at Long Island, Riley’s teams have posted marquee wins over programs such as Notre Dame, Augustana, Ohio State, Alaska, Colgate, Army, Yale, Union, Brown, Princeton, RIT, Miami and more.

Under Riley's leadership, more than 25 former players have advanced to the professional level. In addition, his team at Long Island University 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.

He came to Long Island from Colgate University, where he spent the 2019-20 campaign as an assistant coach. Riley also previously built the Wilkes University program from the ground up, going 16-8-2 in the Division III team’s first year, earning conference coach of the year honors.

Riley graduated from Hobart College in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in History. He was a three-time ECAC West All-Academic Team selection in his four-year career with the Statesmen.
Riley is passionate about developing young hockey talent and helping players reach their potential. He founded GEN3 Hockey, an elite youth hockey program dedicated to teaching, motivating and improving the hockey experience of young athletes.

The program includes on and off ice coaching and training and has grown from three teams and 70 players in 2010 to 42 teams and 855 players. The program developed 12 NHL draft picks.

Riley also served as a player consultant at GDA Hockey, where he identified high-level NCAA prospects and built relationships in the New England area.

A press conference introducing Riley is planned for 11 a.m. on Monday 31 in the Gold Room overlooking the Center for Athletics Performance in the Ewigleben Sports Complex, 210 Sports Drive, and is open to the media and the public.

Monday’s press conference featuring Riley will be available on YouTube @FerrisAthletics or at the link here.