When the Robert Morris women’s hockey program returns to the ice in time for the 2023-24 season, a familiar face will be behind the bench.

Athletic director Chris King announced Thursday that Logan Bittle, who spent 10 years at Robert Morris as an assistant and associate head coach after playing on the men’s team, is now the head coach. Bittle will replace Paul Colontino, who left for the Bishop Kearney (N.Y.) Selects.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Logan back to lead the relaunch of the women’s hockey program,” King said in a statement. “Logan’s Colonial pride and passion were evident to all who engaged with him during his prior tenure at RMU.

“I was impressed by his track record of success in both recruiting and player development. Logan has been passionate about his desire to lead the relaunch of the women’s hockey program. He knows how to build a winning culture and a winning program, and he was an obvious choice as our top target from Day 1 of the women’s hockey head coach search.”

Bittle, a native of Peoria, Ill., was head coach of the Pens Elite 19U Girls Prep and 16U Girls teams last year.

During Bittle’s five seasons (2016-21) as associate head coach, the Colonials compiled a record of 97-47-21 (.651), including 66-22-11 (.722) in College Hockey America (CHA). RMU won three consecutive CHA regular-season championships (‘17, ‘18 and ‘19) and appeared in two NCAA Tournaments (‘17 and ‘21).

Robert Morris also won the CHA Tournament in 2012, Bittle’s second season as an assistant coach.

“I’m extremely grateful to Athletic Director Chris King for his belief in me for the opportunity to return to RMU and lead the women’s hockey program,” Bittle said. “I’m also thankful to everyone who had a hand in getting these teams back on the ice in 2023. RMU has been a very important part of my family’s life for the last 16 years. It’s great to be a part of the RMU family again, and we’re very excited to hit the ice for the 2023-24 season to begin competing for a conference and national championship.”

“Logan possesses a great appreciation for the history and tradition of women’s hockey and men’s hockey at RMU,” King said. “He is a terrific fit for RMU hockey as a former student-athlete and alumnus and has served as a key leader in the history of the competitive success for the women’s hockey program. It’s not every day that you have the chance to hire an alum and former assistant coach whose passion for the sport and the institution are transcendent.”

Bittle, a 2008 graduate of RMU, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sport management. He was a student-athlete for the Colonials in 2004-05 and recorded an assist on the game-winning goal in the men’s program’s 3-1 victory at Canisius on Oct. 22, 2004 — the first hockey game in school history.

Bittle appeared in 126 games during his four-year career with the Colonials, scoring 52 points on 20 goals and 32 assists.

Bittle and two-time Olympian Brianne McLaughlin, the first goaltender in the history of the RMU women’s program, were married in July of 2013. The couple have two children, Carter and Baker.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)