Rick Comley was so firmly entrenched at Northern Michigan University that only a “very good reason” could sway him to leave Marquette.
Apparently, the head coaching position at MSU was enough persuasion.
Comley, 55, was formally introduced as the fifth head coach in the history of MSU hockey at a press conference Monday in Munn Ice Arena. He replaces Ron Mason, who will become MSU’s athletics director July 1.
Comley, who has coached the last 26 seasons at Northern Michigan, will start working for MSU immediately, although he doesn’t officially take over until April 15.
Comley, a native of Stratford, Ontario, met with the Spartan team Monday afternoon and plans to meet individually with returning players within the next month. His other immediate tasks include finishing off MSU’s recruiting class before spring signing day and cleaning out his Marquette office.
“It’s a proud moment for me to replace him here and to have his presence around the hockey program,” said Comley, who repeatedly said his friendship with Mason was a major factor in his decision. “Everybody wonders what it’s like to replace somebody who’s done what Ron has done. I say it couldn’t be a better situation to have him here and be able to call on him as a friend.
“It’s a dream come true for me and my family and we’re as excited as we possibly could be.”
Comley is the seventh-winningest coach in college hockey history with a 597-475-71 record in 29 years at Lake Superior State University and Northern Michigan.
He will sign a four-year rollover contract at MSU, which means he always has four years left on the deal, said John Lewandowski, assistant athletics director. His base salary will be $150,000, with yet-undisclosed incentives. Mason made $173,215 in his last season as coach.
Mason, who was charged with handpicking his successor, said Comley was his choice from “day one.” The two actually had talked about Comley leaving Northern Michigan to take an administrative role at MSU before Mason decided to accept the athletics director position. With the coaching job suddenly open, Mason said their talks naturally evolved into Comley taking over the hockey program.
“When you have an opportunity to get a star, and that’s what I call Rick Comley, you can’t pass that up,” Mason said. “He’s the best fit for this position. Had I had a carte blanche to hire anyone across the country, Rick would have been No. 1.
“It was a no-brainer, really.”
Comley said he already knew he was going to be MSU’s next coach when Northern Michigan played the Spartans in the CCHA Tournament semifinals on March 16.
“Shaking hands with the (MSU) players afterward was pretty special,” Comley said. “There were a lot of conversations that maybe you wanted to have but couldn’t have. Some of the players even said things like, ‘Looking forward to next year.’ So I think they knew.
“Even though we compete in the same league, there is no comparison between Michigan State and Northern Michigan.”
Obviously, Comley’s hiring holds major ramifications throughout the program. One of Comley’s first tasks might be trying to convince some current Spartans to return for next season. Junior goaltender Ryan Miller and freshman center Jim Slater have both indicated possibilities of leaving MSU early - Miller for the NHL and Slater for the Ontario Hockey League.
The Buffalo Sabres could offer Miller, 21, a professional contract this off-season, and the All-American goalie repeatedly has said he would be foolish not to consider the option.
“I’d feel completely comfortable playing under him - it’s not going to weigh into my decision at all,” Miller said Monday at Munn. “He’s a great coach and he gets a lot out of his players. I think that’s what we’re going to benefit the most from. Every coach has a different attitude, but I don’t expect any drastic changes.”
Slater was not available for comment Monday.
Junior left wing Brian Maloney, 23, also indicated he has designs on playing in the NHL, but he expects to be with the Spartans next season.
