Doug Van Kuren said he has enjoyed coaching the Goodrich varsity hockey team for the past three seasons.
However, he also wants to see his son, Brian, play college hockey, and coaching the Martians last season prevented him from doing so.
With that in mind, Van Kuren said he has stepped down as the Martians? head coach.
‘My boy’s playing up in Alpena College, and it took up too much time last year,? he said. ‘I don’t want to miss him play ? they have only so long to play.?
Goodrich Athletic Director Al Martus said he has hired Goodrich resident Brian Tangney as the team’s new head coach. Martus said that Tangney has no prior high school head coaching experience.
As far as Van Kuren is concerned, he said the part about the Goodrich job he will miss the most is getting to know the guys on the team, and believes the Martians became a more disciplined team under his watch.
‘The guys seemed to gain respect for the game, as well as respect for the officials and the players on the other team,? he said. ‘I was proud of the sportsmanship we showed.?
Van Kuren also said one of the highlights of his tenure as the Goodrich coach was the Martians advancing to the Division 3 regional finals in 2005 before being eliminated by Brandon.
Martus said Van Kuren accomplished quite a bit as the Goodrich coach.
‘He brought respectability back to the hockey program,? he said. ‘He worked hard, along with the parents, and got them involved. From my perspective, he brought discipline that made the program improve under his leadership.?