Bentley Hockey Appoints Andy Jones as Head Coach

Andy Jones has been named the head hockey coach at Bentley University, Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams announced today. 

Jones comes to Bentley following eight years with UMass Lowell hockey, where he served as the associate head coach for the last five years. His time at UMass Lowell included three NCAA tournament bids, five Hockey East semifinal appearances, three Hockey East championship games and a championship win over Boston College in 2017. 

“I am honored and excited to be named the next head coach at Bentley University,” said Jones. “I believe there is tremendous opportunity here for the ice hockey program to grow into a formidable force in Atlantic Hockey and NCAA Division I. The energy and vision of Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams and President E. LaBrent Chrite, coupled with the support of the diverse and dynamic Bentley community and the state-of-the-art Bentley Arena, demonstrate a clear commitment to the success of Bentley ice hockey.” 

From its beginnings as a modest club sport organized by students in the 1960s, Bentley hockey prospered as a Division III program, was elevated to Division I status in the late 1990s and became a founding member of the Atlantic Hockey Association prior to the 2003-2004 season. In 2018, the Falcons moved on campus into the state-of-the-art Bentley Arena for their home games. 

“As we prepare for our 25th season of Division I hockey, we’re looking for our program to move to the next level,” said Williams. “Coach Jones is the right man to help us build a championship program as he brings enthusiasm, energy and experience to Bentley. I can’t wait to see us get started!” 

During his more than 20 years of coaching experience, Jones has been involved in both player and leadership development, and 18 of his former players have gone on to compete in the NHL. Before joining the UMass Lowell River Hawks, Jones spent four years as an assistant coach at Clarkson University and five seasons as an assistant coach with the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League. There, Jones also helped create a unique leadership development program that produced college captains at twice the rate of other teams in the USHL. Jones represented his country in 2009 as an assistant coach on the gold medal winning team during the World Junior A Challenge in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. 

Jones received his MBA from UMass Amherst and his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Amherst College, where he was a two-sport athlete (hockey, baseball) and a hockey team captain. A native of Excelsior, Minnesota, Jones resides in Nashua, New Hampshire, with his wife and two daughters. 

“I am deeply appreciative that I have been entrusted with the task of leading the Bentley ice hockey program into its next chapter,” said Jones. “I look forward to building a program centered on positivity, intensity and determination that will reflect the high standards of excellence and innovation that represent Bentley University.”