By Tori Wittenbrock
Associate Sports Editor
GREEN BAY – Former Green Bay Gamblers Associate Head Coach Pat McCadden has been named to the head coach position following the departure of Mike Leone from the Gamblers.
Leone recently accepted the position as the head coach of the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL).
During Leone’s final season with the Gamblers, the team’s 2023-24 regular season record was 34-18-10 and their season ended in the second round of playoffs to the Muskegon Lumberjacks in double overtime.
Climbing the ladder
This promotion has been a long time coming for McCadden. He joined the Green Bay Gamblers in 2008 and served as team captain in 2010 the year they won the Clark Cup under head coach Jon Cooper. He also served as team captain during this time.
In 2014, McCadden also brought success to the Green Bay area when he helped the St. Norbert College Green Knights to a NCAA DIII National Championship title.
After serving as the associate head coach of Lawrence University for five years, McCadden made his way back to the Resch Center as the assistant coach in 2022.
This is a dream come true for McCadden as he is now able to coach other players to greatness after being influenced by great coaches around him, such as Cooper and Tim Coughlin (SNC).
In a 2023 interview, McCadden revealed to the Press Times that he has had aspirations of being named the head coach of his own program for a long time.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t say I want to be a head coach someday,” McCadden said. “You take all your experiences as a player and coach, and that turns you into who you are as a coach. I’ve had some great experiences under some great coaches.”
McCadden said that he is thrilled to inherit such a disciplined team with a success-oriented work ethic.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to lead this team and continue the winning culture resurrected by Coach Leone the past two seasons,” said McCadden.