BIDDEFORD, Maine — When former University of Maine hockey winger Kevin Swallow was working for Pepsi the year after graduating, he realized how much he missed hockey.
“It’s what I’ve known my whole life. It’s what I’m passionate about. I couldn’t wait to get back involved in the game,” said Swallow.
He landed an assistant coaching job at Neumann University in Pennsylvania, then became the head coach at Nichols College in Dudley, Massachusetts.
Now, Swallow is taking over at the University of New England.
UNE associate vice president and director of athletics Jack McDonald announced Swallow’s appointment on Tuesday.
Swallow replaces Brad Holt, who was fired after going 38-106-7 over the last six seasons.
Swallow led Nichols to a 55–20–7 record (.713 winning percentage) consecutive Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Northeast championships and NCAA Division III Tournament berths in his three years there.
During 2014-15, Nichols posted the second-highest win total (21–4–3 record) in program history and finished the season ranked 15th in the United States College Hockey Online Division III (USCHO) poll.
Swallow was recognized as ECAC Northeast Coach of the Year for the second time in his career.
“UNE is a sleeping giant with the facilities that are available, the rink on campus, the campus being right on the ocean, all the (different) majors and the academic reputation of the school,” said Swallow. “It has so much to offer.
He’s also glad to be back in Maine and noted that his wife, Kassi, is from Maine (Peru).
He is looking forward to working for first-year UNE athletic director McDonald.
“That was one of the most appealing parts of the job. His track record is very impressive,” said Swallow, who noted that McDonald did a remarkable job transforming Quinnipiac into a top-10 hockey program in Division 1.
Swallow said one of his first orders of business will be to “create a culture of excellence in all areas, on and off the ice. Everyone will be held to high expectations.”
He intends to expand his recruiting territory to include the Midwest because, “it’s an untapped market for the program and we got some very good players at Nichols from out there.”
McDonald said in a press release that Swallow is the ideal person to lead the Nor’easters’ ice hockey program.
“Kevin has demonstrated excellent success in building a Division III program, as well as earning bids to the NCAA Tournament. I am very confident that our student-athletes will flourish under Kevin’s coaching, leadership and mentoring,” said McDonald.
A native of Stanwood, Michigan, Swallow graduated from UMaine in 2010 with a B.S. in business management. He received the UMaine Men’s Ice Hockey Unsung Hero Award in 2010 and was also a Hockey East Academic First Team All-Star.
He had three goals and 11 assists in 62 games at Maine over two seasons.
He began his collegiate career at Dartmouth College, where the Big Green won the 2007 Ivy League Championship.
Swallow finished his career with 45 points (14 goals, 31 assists) over 121 games.
His playing resume also includes a two-year stint as a member of the United States U18 National Team and one year playing for the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League. The U.S. U18 team earned a Silver Medal at the 2004 World Championships.