Dan Muse acknowledges that his playing record, particularly his college career where he managed only five goals over 61 games, doesn`t fit the typical profile of an NHL head coach. However, he feels the years spent as a self-described “bad” forward at Division III Stonehill College were instrumental in shaping his path to eventually coaching the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Muse emphasized on Wednesday, a week after replacing Mike Sullivan, that this experience taught him vital lessons about work ethic, perseverance, and ignoring external distractions. These principles have guided him throughout his career, whether on the ice, teaching history, or coaching lacrosse.
Beyond hockey, teaching appears to be Muse`s true calling. He is consistently drawn to the challenge of unlocking potential in individuals, whether a seasoned NHL All-Star, a young prospect, or a student struggling in the classroom. The fact that this passion led the 42-year-old to the pinnacle of the sport he has always loved feels like a happy coincidence.
He stated, “I haven`t felt like I`ve worked a day in my life.”
Yet, there is substantial work ahead in Pittsburgh. The team is navigating the final phase of the Sidney Crosby Era while preparing for its future. General manager Kyle Dubas has spent the last 15 months accumulating draft picks and young prospects, amassing 30 selections over the next three years.
Muse`s growing reputation for effectively developing players makes him seem well-suited for the Penguins` current direction. However, Dubas stressed that Muse`s impact extends beyond simply turning young talent into professionals.
“Whether it`s a young player coming into the league, or a veteran player trying to stay in the league, Dan has an extraordinary impact on all of them,” Dubas commented.
This broad impact will be crucial for success in Pittsburgh, which has missed the playoffs for the past three seasons and hasn`t advanced beyond the first round since 2018. Although the 38-year-old Crosby remains highly productive, the team has faced challenges defensively and in goaltending.
Dubas is seeking a long-term solution rather than a quick fix, and Muse appears aligned with this vision. He declined to put a specific timeline on when the Penguins might return to legitimate Stanley Cup contention, stating only that the process will commence when training camp opens in September.
Muse mentioned he has contacted or spoken with about 95 percent of the players under contract for the upcoming season, focusing initially on building relationships rather than immediately delving into specific strategies. Those discussions will happen later.
Earlier in his coaching journey, particularly upon being hired as an assistant at Yale in 2009, Muse worried his modest playing career would be a disadvantage. Now, he feels confident in his ability to create strategies and ask future Hall of Famers like Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to implement them.
Muse, who spent the previous two years on Peter Laviolette`s staff with the New York Rangers, stated, “I`ve worked in almost every role you can imagine… Especially having the opportunity to work in two different NHL organizations, as well as with all those different players, led me to feel extremely confident about my abilities to come into this opportunity.”
This is significant territory for someone who grew up loving hockey but didn`t start playing seriously until age 11 in Alabama, not traditionally a hockey hotbed. Muse can`t pinpoint what drew him to the game, only that he always loved it. His parents fostered this passion, and his strong work ethic did the rest.
Muse`s unique background was a key reason Dubas was determined to consider a wide range of candidates for the head coaching position, not just individuals he already knew from his time in the NHL.
“If we hadn`t gone through that whole process and turned to someone I knew in the past or worked with, we wouldn`t have found the best coach for the Penguins,” Dubas asserted. “And that’s Dan.”
In a league known for frequent coaching changes, the bespectacled Muse, with his distinct New England accent, represents a fresh start. The Penguins are embarking on a new era, and Muse is beginning his first NHL head coaching role after achieving championships at various levels below the NHL.
“A year from now, I believe I’ll be a better coach and hope to be a better person than the one I am sitting here today,” he said. “That`s how it should be.”
