2025-26 Division III Women's CCM/AHCA Coach of the Year Finalists Announced
Eleven coaches who have enjoyed on-ice success in 2025-26 have been named finalists for the CCM/AHCA NCAA Division III Women’s Ice Hockey Coach of the Year Award. The award will be announced on March 26 at the NCAA Frozen Four in River Falls, WI, and presented on Thursday April 30 at the AHCA Convention in Bonita Springs, FL. Four of the finalists are former recipients of the award: six-time winner Kevin Houle of Plattsburgh State University and four-time winner Bill Mandigo of Middlebury College lead that list.Also among the past winners are the recipients in each of the last two years: Joe Cranston of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (2024) and Elizabeth Bauer of Augsburg University (2025). To be considered a finalist, one must either be named Coach of the Year at the conference level or advance to the NCAA Frozen Four.
The CCM AHCA COACH of the YEAR AWARDS are sponsored by CCM HOCKEY and chosen by members of the AMERICAN
HOCKEY COACHES ASSOCIATION. CCM is the legendary hockey brand dedicated to the endless pursuit of performance by
delivering game-changing, head-to-toe innovative hockey equipment to players worldwide
2025-26 CCM/AHCA Women’s Ice Hockey Division III Coach of the Year Finalists
Chris Baudo, Nazareth University, UCHC Coach of the Year & NCAA Semi-Finalist
Elizabeth Bauer, Augsburg University, MIAC Coach of the Year*
Joe Cranston, UW-River Falls, WIAC Coach of the Year & NCAA Semi-Finalist*
Marykate Drinkwater, Rivier University, MASCAC Coach of the Year
Steve Fabiilli, Concord (WI) University, NCHA Coach of the Year
Kevin Houle, Plattsburgh State University, SUNYAC Coach of the Year*
Dave LaBaff, Wilkes University, Middle Atlantic Coach of the Year
Bill Mandigo, Middlebury College, NESCAC Coach of the Year*
Jeff Matthews, Amherst College, NCAA Semi-Finalist
Maddy Santore, Johnson & Wales University, CNE Coach of the Year
Justin Simpson, Norwich University, Little East Coach of the Year & NCAA Semi-Finalist
*Former Recipient of this award.
| Winners of the Women's Division III Coach of the Year | |
| 2000 | Ted Wisner, Colgate |
| 2001 | Bill Mandigo, Middlebury |
| 2002 | Jamie Wood, Elmira |
| 2003 | Michele Amidon, Bowdoin |
| 2004 | Bill Mandigo, Middlebury |
| 2005 | Bill Mandigo, Middlebury |
| 2006 | Kevin Houle, Plattsburgh State |
| 2007 | Kevin Houle, Plattsburgh State |
| 2008 | Kevin Houle, Plattsburgh State |
| 2009 | Jim Plumer. Amherst College |
| 2010 | Mark Bolding, Norwich |
| 2011 | Mark Bolding, Norwich |
| 2012 | Mark Bolding, Norwich |
| 2013 | Kevin Houle, Plattsburgh State |
| 2014 | Kevin Houle, Plattsburgh State |
| 2015 | Dean Jackson, Elmira |
| 2016 | Kevin Houle, Plattsburgh State |
| 2017 | Chad Davis, Adrian College |
| 2018 | Mark Bolding, Norwich |
| 2019 | Tom Palkowski, St. Thomas |
| 2020 | Kevin Houle, Plattsburgh State |
| 2021 | Not Awarded |
| 2022 | Bill Mandigo, Middlebury |
| 2023 | Emily McNamara, Hamilton |
| 2024 | Joe Cranston, Wisconsin-River Falls |
| 2025 | Elizabeth Bauer, Augsburg |
