Robert Morris signs men's hockey coach Derek Schooley to 5-year contract

Robert Morris has rewarded Derek Schooley for his efforts in building — and now rebuilding — the school’s men’s ice hockey program.

Athletic director Chris King finalized a five-year contract for Schooley, who started men’s hockey in 2003 and has been at the forefront of plans to restore it after Robert Morris cut the program last year. After a massive fundraising effort was initiated, the school announced in December that the men’s and women’s programs will be reinstated in time for the 2023-24 seasons.

The only coach in program history is now signed through the 2026-27 season.

Schooley, 49, has guided the Colonials to six conference tournament championship games and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2014. Most recently, he led the Colonials to the 2020-21 Atlantic Hockey Association West Division championship. Twice, he was named Atlantic Hockey Coach of the Year.

He also led the Colonials to back-to-back Atlantic Hockey regular season titles in 2014-15 and 2015-16 and a postseason AHA title in 2013-14. The Colonials averaged 20 victories per season from 2012-19

“I would like to thank Chris King and the entire Robert Morris community for their continued faith in me to lead the relaunch of Colonial Hockey,” Schooley said in a statement. “I am very thankful for the support of our donors, season ticket holders, hockey community and alumni, but we need to continue our positive momentum as we move towards October of 2023.

“We can’t help but be very excited about the next chapter of our program. Our goals will continue to be one of the top teams in our conference and a top 20 nationally ranked program. I can’t wait to get going.”

The Colonials will officially apply for reinstatement to Atlantic Hockey for men and College Hockey America (CHA) for women and will provide an update on conference affiliation once a determination has been made.