FERRIS STATE- Bob Daniels is a legendary name at Ferris State University. He’s been with the school for thirty-six years, spending the last 33 as the head hockey coach, and after this past season he decided it was time to step away. He was honored tonight by the school with a ceremony and reflected on what this place and community have meant to him.
“It meant the world to me. We raised all three of my children here. Have deep roots in the community. And, you know, I grew up in the Detroit area. I love the Detroit area. But you’ll never get me out of this, this section of Michigan, just because of how much I enjoy and place and the people” (Daniels).
Ferris State also announced they’ve begun the process of fundraising to name the ice hockey arena in his honor, meaning Daniels’ name will forever be intertwined with the program.
“Well, I didn’t know about it yesterday, so it hasn’t really sunk in. Obviously it means a great deal. And, you know, I want to be, part of the program moving forward from, from a different perspective” (Daniels).
It’s a well-deserved honor, Daniels won 510 games in his career, ranking among the top 20 all-time in college hockey, was a two-time national coach of the year, he led the bulldogs to all four of their NCAA tournament appearances in the schools’ history, and advanced to the 2012 national championship game
“You know, when I first started, my whole goal was to hang one banner in the rink, you know, so a modest goal and we, you know, hung a number of banners, and I’m really proud of that” (Daniels).
And now Daniels is enjoying retirement.
“But, it’s great. And, you know, so far it has been different, i think from the fall when the games start, that’s where, you know, they’re there might be, you know, a little bit of sadness” (Daniels).
FSU hired new head coach Brett Riley to replace him, and Daniels is helping to make the transition smooth.