AP Picture Former Michigan hockey coach Mel Pearson is seen through the second interval of the Nice Lakes Invitational school hockey championship recreation, Dec. 31, 2019, in Detroit.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — The College of Michigan has reduce ties with hockey coach Mel Pearson.
Athletic director Warde Manuel introduced the choice Friday “it has been weighed closely and for a while.” Pearson’s contract expired after final season, and he had been on an at-will contract pending a program overhaul.
An investigation, obtained by MLive amongst others, that was given to the college in Might revealed partially that Pearson pressured student-athletes to lie about contact tracing for COVID-19 through the 2020-21 season.
“Our student-athletes having a optimistic and significant expertise is paramount, and a transparent expectation inside our division is that every one workers and employees are valued and supported. I deeply admire and worth the many individuals who’ve come ahead all through this assessment.” Manuel stated in a press release launched by the college. “Right this moment’s announcement displays the seriousness of what we have heard and the values we maintain pricey at Michigan.”
The Wolverines didn’t play within the 2021 NCAA Match because of COVID-19 protocols. With a group led by NHL first-round picks, they went 31-10-1 final season and misplaced to Denver within the Frozen 4.
Pearson was 99-64-16 at Michigan over 5 seasons. He beforehand coached at Michigan Tech, the place he had a report of 118-92-29 over six seasons.
When Michigan was in search of a pacesetter to interchange retiring coach Pink Berenson in 2017, it employed Pearson. He was a longtime assistant to Berenson throughout a three-decade profession on the faculty that included two nationwide titles.
The investigation into the Pearson-led program started after former Michigan and NHL goaltender Steve Shields filed a proper grievance in September 2021 whereas he was a volunteer coach for the Wolverines.
Shields’ grievance included issues that Pearson allowed then-director of hockey operations Rick Bancroft to be employed regardless of having information of the late Dr. Robert Anderson’s sexual misconduct on the faculty. Bancroft retired earlier this summer time.
Shields additionally advised the college and investigators that Pearson and Bancroft mistreated girls who labored for this system. His grievance additionally accused Pearson of mistreating student-athletes.
“Our investigation recognized cultural points throughout the hockey program that deserve consideration,” regulation agency WilmerHale wrote in its report that it was supposed to be confidential.
