MGoBlue.com, April 10, 2017
Red Berenson announced Monday afternoon that he is retiring after 33 seasons at the helm of the Michigan men's hockey program; he will remain as a special advisor to Warde Manuel, the Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics.
"I've thought about this for a long time and I think this is the right time and it's the right thing to do for the Michigan hockey program," Berenson said in a press release. "My heart will always be at Michigan and I look forward to the team taking the next step and making me proud as a former coach."
Michigan went 848-426-92 (.654) in the Berenson era, including the 1996 and 1998 NCAA National Championships – the eighth and ninth in school history. Berenson's accomplishments behind the bench at Michigan put him among the greatest coaches in college hockey history.
"Red Berenson is a legendary figure at the University of Michigan as well as in our ice hockey history," Manuel said. "Throughout his career, Red has focused on the academic and athletic success of the young men who have come through our program while shaping the sport as we know it today. He has developed an astounding 73 NHL players but, more importantly, he has positively impacted hundreds of young men. We are forever grateful for his contributions to the University of Michigan and I look forward to continuing working with Red for years to come."
"I deeply appreciate Coach Berenson's decades-long commitment to ensuring that our student-athletes succeeded in all aspects of their lives: on the ice, academically and as citizens and members of our community," said Dr. Mark Schlissel, the 14th president of the University of Michigan. He is an excellent representative of our university, and I will always remember seeing him lead our teams behind the bench in Yost Ice Arena."
Read full mgoblue.com release and see Twitter reaction below.
#ThankYouRed #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/R9IFcaT2Hp
— Michigan Athletics ?? (@UMichAthletics) April 10, 2017
#ThankYouRed Berenson is an icon. He guided us as teenagers, and created men in the end. He is the ultimate Michigan Man. Congrats #GoBlue
— Aaron Ward (@NHL_AaronWard) April 10, 2017
Thank you Red for making us who we are today. You are the true definition of a Michigan Man. Will always be proud to say I played for you.
— – (@MikeKnuble22) April 10, 2017
Red Berenson: All-American player. 17 year NHLer (and frequent All-Star). NHL Coach of the Year. #4 all-time NCAA wins. Not a bad run.
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) April 10, 2017
Red Berenson, who will go down as one of my favorite coaches I've ever covered, announces retirement after 33 years behind Michigan's bench
— Jeff Arnold (@JeffArnold_) April 10, 2017
I do think it was time for Red Berenson but what an incredible coach and man. No person I respect more than Red.
— Michael Spath (@MichaelSpathITH) April 10, 2017
Red Berenson was the first player to go straight from college hockey to the NHL. If he never coached one game, he would've been a legend.
— Joe Meloni (@JoeMeloni) April 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/ambermjo/status/851516666068578307
College Hockey won?t be the same with Red Berenson not one the Michigan bench next season.
What an incredible hockey coach.
— Andrew Coppens (@TheCoppensShow) April 10, 2017
Red Berenson was one of the kindest people I?ve covered. Gave us Daily kids life lessons every day at the rink. Enjoy retirement, Red.
— Stephen J. Nesbitt (@stephenjnesbitt) April 10, 2017
One of those larger-than-life figures that only happen so often. https://t.co/4XaiwEPdOc
— Jeff Svoboda (@JeffSvoboda) April 10, 2017