Syracuse University Athletics

Recent Flanagan story -- USA Hockey, 2/12/08

Paul Flanagan, who has guided St. Lawrence University to five NCAA Frozen Four appearances in the last eight years, is the first women's ice hockey head coach at Syracuse University, director of athletics Dr. Daryl Gross announced today. Flanagan ranked third nationally among active Division I coaches in winning percentage and sixth in career victories entering the 2007-08 season, and his five NCAA Frozen Four appearances are tied for first in the nation. In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Flanagan is currently serving as an assistant coach for the U.S. women's national team which is competing at the World Championship in Harbin, China.

"This is a historic hire for Syracuse Athletics as we pursue a new chapter of excellence with our women's ice hockey program," Gross said. "Paul Flanagan's record speaks for itself as he brings amazing experience and success. We are so fortunate to have a coach who not only has been to five Frozen Fours, but is also part of our national team development. I am so impressed with his credentials and his character. We can't wait to give him the support he needs to develop our program and culture to be the best in the country.

"I would like to personally thank associate director of athletics Jamie Mullin and senior associate director of athletics Henry Wildhack for their persistant assistance during this search process."

The 2001 ECAC and American Hockey Coaches Association Coach of the Year, Flanagan has been the head coach at St. Lawrence University for the past nine seasons. During that time, the Saints have compiled a record of 230-83-24 (.718), advanced to the Frozen Four five times, including four straight appearances from 2004-07, and played in the national championship game in 2001. In 2008, the Saints played in their fifth straight NCAA Tournament.

"One of the things that impressed me is that the Syracuse athletics administration wants to do things the right way," Flanagan said. "This is an opportunity to build a program the right way. You do that by bringing in quality people with character. I think it will be a lot of fun and hopefully something that the University and the Syracuse area can be proud of.

"I am indebted to my former St. Lawrence University student-athletes, whose hard work and accomplishments have given me this wonderful opportunity. I also want to thank St. Lawrence for all that it has done for me for the past 20 years. I am looking forward to the challenge and I am eager to get started."

During Flanagan's tenure, St. Lawrence shared the 2003-04 ECAC regular-season crown and won the 2005-06 title outright. The Saints advanced to the conference semifinals in six of the past seven seasons. Under Flanagan's tutelage, St. Lawrence student-athletes earned one ECAC Player of the Year and three Goaltender of the Year honors, more than three dozen ECAC All-Star honors, and 10 All-America honors. In addition, Flanagan has coached two Olympians and several members of the Canadian national teams.

In the summer of 2007, Flanagan was named an assistant coach for the U.S. Women's Select and National teams that competed at the Four Nations Cup in Sweden in November and will compete at the World Championship April 4-14, 2008.

A 1980 St. Lawrence graduate, Flanagan was a defenseman for the Saints, serving as team captain as a senior. He began his coaching career as head coach at Canton High School in 1982. Prior to the 1988 season, Flanagan joined the St. Lawrence men's staff as an assistant coach, and helped the Saints to two ECAC championships and NCAA appearances in 1989, 1992 and 1999.

Flanagan earned his master's degree in education from St. Lawrence in 1992. Flanagan and his wife, Sharon, have three children, Shannon (16), Brendan (13) and Connor (9).

PAUL FLANAGAN'S CAREER RECORD