Union hired Gary Heenan as an assistant hockey coach on Monday, and four days later he resigned to return to his former post as head coach of Utica College. Heenan's resignation came after meeting with Union head coach Nate Leaman on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss comments Heenan made to Utica Observer-Dispatch sports writer Craig Muder for an article published in Tuesday's edition. In that article, Heenan said:
• "The obvious progression is to become the second assistant, but there you do a lot of grunt work and I felt I was beyond that professionally."
• "I envisioned myself going to a much larger school than Union. But with a first assistant's position and going with a coach that's in demand like Nate, that was attractive to me. Nate just coached the under-18 team to a gold medal. I don't think he'll be there all that long."
Leaman read the article online Tuesday evening and was concerned about some of the quotes. He met with Heenan in Schenectady on Wednesday and Heenan also met with Union Director of Athletics Jim McLaughlin. Leaman and Heenan met again on Thursday at which time it was decided that Heenan would resign from his new position and return to be the head coach at Utica, a Division III program. "Comments in the article caused some concern that there may be some disrespect to Union College, the alums of the hockey program that have worn the jersey with a lot of pride, myself, and assistant coach Bill Riga," Leaman said. "It's an honor to be involved with Union College and its hockey program. I am very happy with the direction of the administration and our program. I'm proud of the opportunity to help lead the program, as well as the players and coaches that have come before us in the history of this program." Leaman plans to resume his search for an assistant immediately.