It’s not everyday a legendary college hockey coach takes the time to share lessons learned during their hockey coaching career. It’s even rarer to land TWO legends for the same interview.
Aaron Wilbur, Founder & CEO of The Coaches Site, struck gold when he aligned Jack Parker, former head coach at Boston University, and Red Berenson, former head coach at University of Michigan, for the keynote presentation of the College Hockey Inc. Virtual Coaching Clinic.
Wilbur isn’t someone who typically gets starstruck with guests, but he admits off the top to being geeked-up, nervous and grateful for the opportunity to interview Parker & Berenson. And he certainly makes the most of it.
Parker, now 77-years-old, has a resume that speak for itself: he served as the head coach at Boston University for 40 seasons and posted an overall record of 897-472-115. His 897 wins rank third all-time and mark the most of any college hockey coach at the same institution. Parker reached the 20-win mark in 27 seasons, won three NCAA titles, four consecutive Eastern College Athletic Conference crowns, 21 Beanpots and seven Hockey East titles. He holds the record for NCAA tournament appearances as a coach with 24.
Berenson, meanwhile, now 72-years-old, is synonymous with the University of Michigan, where he spent 33 seasons behind the bench, leading the Wolverines to 23 NCAA tournaments and a pair of National Championships. In 1,366 games with Berenson behind the bench, Michigan went 848–426–92. For his outstanding service to hockey in the United States, the NHL honored Berenson with the Lester Patrick Award in 2006. He’s also a member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the US Hockey Hall of Fame.
Enjoy this 75-minute video, which touches on Parker and Berenson’s recent nautical adventures, their admiration for each other and facing one-another, whether they miss coaching, how they adjusted to relating to players over the years, how today’s coaches coach, the importance of leadership in the dressing room, and much, much, much more!
This video is available exclusively to members of The Coaches Site.
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Aaron Wilbur
I’m a husband, father, sports nut and Founder of The Coaches Site. I enjoy cooking, watching live music and hiking the North Shore mountains with my family. My son is a football player, which has turned me into a big football fan. It’s helped me appreciate what hockey parents go through, especially those who have little experience with the sport, when trying to navigate their child up the hockey ladder.
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