Cyclone Hockey made some moves this off-season, most notably by naming Andrew Callaghan the team’s new assistant coach.

This summer, as the Cyclones were looking for a new assistant, close to 50 coaches applied for the position. Several had outstanding resumes, including former NHL coaches and state Division I head coaches.

Callaghan won the job with his diverse background in coaching and playing experience.

“Andrew has the coaching background, but he also has a background in business that I think will allow him to be successful,” said head coach Jason Fairman. “He’s a high energy guy and he is going to bring that energy level. Those are the comments that are consistently made about him.”

Callaghan played four years of varsity hockey at Cathedral Preparatory School before going on to compete with Division III Morrisville State College in New York.

Callaghan started as an assistant coach in 2008 for ACHA Division I Towson University, from which he also graduated with a sports management degree and business minor. He also served as assistant coach for Cathedral from 2010-12 and then became assistant coach for Mercyhurst University in Pennsylvania. 

“I bring a lot of intensity,” Callaghan said. “I like seeing our guys go hard, I love seeing them self-motivated where they push themselves but I can help them out if they need that. I want to help this team in anyway I can.”

Being the assistant coach at Iowa State is not all about coaching. Callaghan will run many operations such as ad sales and the administrative duties that are required. That’s where his business background came into play.

“I have a sales background and a hockey background and I think I can help a lot with behind the scenes stuff,” Callaghan said. “I want to better myself everyday and better the team everyday.”

Senior forward Trevor Lloyd is excited about the new assistant coach and has high goals for the upcoming season.

“I think he is fitting in good so far. Everyone is meshing well with each other, but things are going good,” Lloyd said. “Coach Callaghan brings a new presence and new ideas, it changes things up a bit. We will really see when it comes to the season.”

Callaghan wants to graduate with a master’s degree and continue in his coaching career. Whether it is at Iowa State or moving to another level, he said he wants to take it one step at a time.