Phillips Exeter has its next boys hockey coach. On Tuesday afternoon, the school announced the hiring of Sean O'Brien to take over as head coach. The position was previously held by Tim Mitropoulos, who stepped down in the fall. Along with coaching the hockey team, O'Brien will teach physical education. "Sean brings a wealth of...
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On Tuesday afternoon, the school announced the hiring of Sean O'Brien to take over as head coach. The position was previously held by Tim Mitropoulos, who stepped down in the fall. Along with coaching the hockey team, O'Brien will teach physical education.
"Sean brings a wealth of coaching experience at multiple levels, giving him a unique and comprehensive perspective on the game," athletic director Jason Baseden said in a release. "He has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to student-athletes, not only developing their skills on the ice but also fostering their growth as individuals."
O'Brien, from Boston, was the head of amateur hockey operations for Pittsburgh Pens Elite. He coached The Hill School from 2020-24 and was also the assistant athletic director.
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"My family and I are ecstatic to join the Exeter community," O'Brien said. "The combination of Exeter's academic and athletic success along with its nostalgic hockey make this a one-of-a-kind opportunity and I am thrilled to be joining the Big Red."
His last local job in the region was as director of hockey operations for Harvard, working with the men's and women's teams.
Before that, he was vice president of Legacy Global Sports/Selects Hockey and was the president of the Portland Junior Pirates in Maine.
He was also a scout for the Florida Panthers from 1999-2003. O'Brien played at New England College and captained the team.
Phillips Exeter went 13-16-1 this season. The Big Red's last playoff appearance was when they made the Large School playoffs in 2022. Exeter was in and around the Elite 8 for most of the 2010s.
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It will be up to O'Brien to get the program back to that level.
Other coaching news...
Nobles is the only other school I know of looking for a new boys hockey coach after Brian Day's retirement.
Carl Corazzini is staying at St. Mark's. He recently led the Lions to the No. 2 seed in the Elite 8 and wants to be there for the long haul. He's been there since 2014.
RinkWise podcast: Reacting to the NEPSAC boys championships
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