May 21, 2008
Ferguson Named New Alaska Coach
CHN Staff Report
FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Alaska-Fairbanks has named Dallas Ferguson the program's eighth coach. Ferguson served as the interim head coach since the resignation of former head coach Doc DelCastillo in mid-April.
"Dallas has the plan, passion and broad support necessary to provide a foundation that Nanook hockey has been missing," said school athletic director Forrest Karr. "There is simply no convincing reason to not hire an emerging leader that bleeds blue and gold, especially a leader that people have already demonstrated they are ready to follow. Dallas brings integrity, trust, stability, and great coaching ability to the job, and I cannot imagine a better candidate for this position."
Ferguson beat out Wisconsin assistant Kevin Patrick, who had earlier been named one of the two finalists. Patrick was also one of four finalists last year, when DelCastillo was named to replace Tavis MacMillan.
"As an alumni and a coach it is obviously a great honor for me to be named the next head coach for the hockey program," Ferguson said. "I want to thank both Forrest and the university for this. I really appreciate their support. This program is very special to me for obvious reasons and I want everyone to know that every last ounce of energy that I have will be put towards this program to make it successful and to make the community, the university and its alumni proud."
Ferguson, 35, has been an Alaska assistant for the past four years. After serving as the Nanooks' second assistant coach from 2004-07, he was named the first assistant coach this season. From 2004 to 2007, Ferguson primarily coached the defensemen and was in charge of the defensive special teams in his first three years.
In 2005, Ferguson coached the penalty-killing unit to an impressive 88.0 percent conversion percentage, the third best in the nation. This season, Ferguson took on more duties as the primary assistant, including a larger role in recruiting.
Prior to his tenure at Alaska, Ferguson spent two years as the assistant coach for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs Junior A hockey team.
As an athlete, Ferguson ranks 21st on Alaska's career scoring list. He finished his career with 104 points and was voted the team's Best Defenseman in 1996, when he was captain of the Nanooks as a senior.
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